Holiday cookies aren't just for humans ― good boys and girls of the four-legged variety deserve some indulgences this time of year, too. That's why Animal Humane Society partnered with NellieBellie on a dog-friendly (and dog-healthy) holiday cookie recipe. It's simple, tasty, and includes calming ingredients that can help you manage your furry family member's holiday-related stress (yeah, it's a real thing).

We know dog lovers run in packs, and these treats are too good not to share. Make a huge batch of these cookies and give them away as gifts.

Between large gatherings and disruptions to routine, the holidays can be stressful — especially for an anxious pet. That's why we included lavender and chamomile (calming ingredients) in this holiday cookie recipe! 

Don't be afraid to lick the spoon — they're human-friendly, too! (We didn't taste the cookies ourselves, but they're 100 percent dog approved.) 

Dog-friendly holiday cookies

Ingredients

Cookies:
½ cup creamy peanut butter
⅓ cup milk
3 tablespoons unsweetened applesauce
1 cup whole wheat flour
½ tablespoon baking powder
3 tablespoons oats

Calming ingredients (optional):
1 tablespoon edible lavender buds
Or 1 tablespoon chamomile powder

Icing:
1 egg yolk, beaten
Bit of water (about ¼ teaspoon)
Food coloring (optional)

Instructions

1. In a large bowl mix the peanut butter, milk, and applesauce together.
2. In a smaller, separate bowl, mix the flour and baking powder together.
3. Add the flour mixture to the peanut butter mixture and stir well.
4. Turn the mixture out onto a lightly floured surface.
5. Using your hands, gently knead the oats and lavender or chamomile into the dough.
6. Once you have a nice, compact ball of dough, press the dough into a rectangle (about ½ an inch thick). Because of the crumbliness of this dough, using your hands to press out the dough will be easier than a rolling pin. The warmth from your fingers aids the process.
7. Using your desired cookie cutter, cut the dough into biscuits.
8. Place onto an ungreased cookie sheet.
9. Next, mix the egg yolk and a bit of water together. Divide into small bowls and add food coloring to achieve the desired colors.
10. Brush the “icing” on to the unbaked biscuits using a pastry brush or the back of a spoon.
11. Bake at 325 degrees for 30 minutes.
12. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely.

Want to decorate your cookies even more? Once removed from the oven, press a small training treat onto each cookie. You can also put food coloring into the dough itself!

These cookies can be stored on the counter for a couple of days or in the freezer for several weeks.