Peanut Butter Sandwiched Dog Treats

Our adorable, sweet, scruffy dachshund/beagle mix Cooper is turning 8 years old this week!

We adopted him about 4 years ago and the people at the shelter assumed his birthday was around August 15th, so we've been celebrating this special day ever since!

Sean and I are "slightly" obsessed with Cooper and treat him as if he were our human child. He sleeps in our bed, gets plenty of kisses and eats only the best food and treats. We know he had a tough life before fate brought him to us, so we try to make him as happy as we possible can to make up for it.

For his past birthdays, we've bought a specialty cake from a dog bakery, made our own pup cakes and taken him to special places that he would truly enjoy. This year, I decided to try out a new recipe. One of Cooper's favorite foods is peanut butter (however, it's tough to tell what his true "favorite" food is, since he inhales pretty much anything edible).

So I made these adorable Peanut Butter Sandwiched Dog Treats. The "cookie" ends have just a hint of peanut butter and are firm yet chewy - even though they weren't really "chewed..." The creamy peanut butter filling provides a nice contrast to the drier cookies and that extra punch of peanut flavor that all dogs love! It seemed Cooper was really happy with the way these treats turned out and I agree (I may have done some taste-testing as well!).

Cooper is so special to us and makes us happy every day. The unconditional love from a dog can't be compared to any other kind of love and I would do anything to help him understand that I feel the same way. Love you Cooper! Happy birthday!

Peanut Butter Sandwiched Dog Treats

1 1/4 cup flour, plus a little extra for cutting dough
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
1 large egg
2 tablespoons honey
1/2 cup milk
additional peanut butter for sandwiching

1.) Preheat oven to 350°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper, set aside.

2.) In a large bowl (or stand mixer), combine all ingredients, beating until a soft dough forms.

3.) Dust counter with flour. Pat out dough into a large rectangle, about 1 inch in depth.

4.) Using a 1 1/2 inch circle shaped cookie cutter, cut into circles. Use all dough.

5.) Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until they are a uniform color on top (as they bake, the color will actually lighten instead of darken). Transfer to a wire rack and let cool completely.

6.) Smear a little peanut butter in the center of two cookies and sandwich them together!