From Granny Scarlett's Kitchen: Doggie Gingerbread

The history of gingerbread is as old as the spice, with the first recipes coming from ancient Greece and China. Some of our oldest recipes include ground almonds, stale breadcrumbs, and of course, ginger that were pressed into molds.

Eventually, the British made some changes by including flour and eggs, and gingerbread took on two distinct forms. One is a moist cake-like treat, sometimes with a lemon glaze, the other a crisp cookie in various forms.

Queen Elizabeth is credited with the original gingerbread men as she liked to have visiting dignitaries presented with cookies in their likeness. Decorations might be as simple as a white icing or as elaborate as edible gold. The Germans made the first gingerbread houses, and gingerbread has become a Christmas tradition over time!

Dogs love molasses. Since there are no eggs in the recipe, it’s safe for dogs do lick the spatula.

Dogs love molasses, and we don't want to leave them out of our favorite holiday traditions.

So here is a canine-friendly gingerbread version using only molasses to sweeten it — I guess you could eat it too. The spices in this Doggie Gingerbread will have your house smelling oh-so-good!

If it's not sweet enough for you, you may want to make a batch of "people" gingerbread for yourself. I recommend an Irish version with the lemon glaze…. Yum!!!

This canine-friendly gingerbread version uses only molasses to sweeten it.

Doggie Gingerbread

Ingredients:

• 2 cups unbleached flour
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
• 2 shakes of nutmeg
• 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of ground ginger
• 1 shake allspice
• 1/2 cup buttermilk
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 3/4 cup molasses

Directions:

• Mix the dry ingredients together and set aside.
• Mix the buttermilk, oil, and molasses together until a smooth, creamy mixture, then fold in the dry ingredients.
• Pour into a greased cake pan and bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for around 20 minutes or until done. (Toothpick should come out clean, and the center should spring back when touched).
• Remember to cool thoroughly before cutting into pieces for your pup to enjoy!
• Wrap and refrigerate leftovers to prolong shelf life, and remember not to let your pet overindulge at one time.

Chef Scarlett and Chief Taste Tester Mine enjoy sampling their hard work…

…”Hey, Scarlett, can I have some of your Gingerbread?”