Naturally green and gold layered gelatin gummy dog treats. Pawfect for St. Patrick’s Day! Here’s the recipe and DIY details on how to make these homemade layered gelatin gummies. They’re all natural and doggone delicious. Lucky dogs, indeed!
Making Layered Gelatin Gummies
To make layered gelatin gummies, whether for dog treats or human snacks, you need a extra little time and patience. Layered gelatin gummies are easy to make, but need careful timing. New layers are added when the preceding layer has set to a gentle touch so that the liquids don’t mix, but before fully set and cured in order to adhere the layers. Just like making layered jelly for humans. Too soon and they will melt into each other, too late and they might not stick. Don’t worry. It all tastes the same in the end, even if things don’t set quite right.
Depending on your flavours, volumes, and ingredients, the gelatin base can be made in one batch and split, or prepared in separated batches. If splitting, the base will need to be kept warm enough not to gel before layering. Both of my layers here are the same chicken stock base, tinted and flavoured with different add-ins on a roughly 50-50 split.
Scaling Volumes for Pans and Moulds
The recipe below is written for a small batch (1 cup) base. It can be scaled up or down to suit your treat making preferences. My big pan of gummies pictured in this post was made with four cups (quadruple the base recipe below). I used to freeze gummies, but since freezing can affect consistency and gummies are so simple to make, I’ve come to love just making fresh little batches for the fridge. See our introduction to making homemade gummy dog treats for handy tips and info, including scaling for moulds and gummy treat storage.
Green and Gold St. Patrick's Day Gummy Dog Treat Recipe
Homemade Layered Gelatin Gummies with Turmeric, Wheatgrass, and/or Kale
This recipe is an easy adaptation of our go-to simple stock and gelatin gummy dog treats, divided and tinted to make layered green and gold gummy treats. As noted above, the recipe below is written for a small batch of gummies (1 cup total, divided into ~1/2 cup for each layer). Volumes can be easily scaled up or down. The pictured pan of set-and-slice treats was made as a much larger batch.
Treat Ingredients:
- 1 cups cool homemade (or ready-made unsalted unseasoned) chicken stock
- 3 tbsp quality powdered gelatin
- 1/2 tsp turmeric powder (golden layer)
- 1/2 tbsp kale and/or wheatgrass powder (green layer)
Making the Layered Gelatin Gummy Treats:
These treats were made by preparing a single base and splitting it for use in two layers. As noted in our introduction to making layered gelatin gummies above, you can prepare two separate base mixtures instead if you prefer.
Preparing the gelatin base mixture:
- Measure the stock into a small pan.
- Sprinkle the surface with gelatin powder.
- Wait and let sit for approximately five minutes or longer for the gelatin powder to bloom.
- Gently stir the mixture over low heat until the gelatin is completely dissolved. Take care not to shortcut with high temperatures or overheat. Heat can reduce the setting strength of gelatin.
- Reduce heat, but keep warm enough not to gel.
Preparing the green (kale and/or wheatgrass) layer:
- Measure your kale and/or wheatgrass powder into a suitable container for mixing and pouring.
- Mix a small spoonful of the prepared liquefied gelatin with the powder to dissolve/mix with minimal lumps and clumps. Once mixed, add roughly half of your prepared gelatin base and stir to thoroughly combine. Reserve the remaining half for your gold layer.
- Pour into a glass pan (cut and slice) or silicone moulds (shapes).
- Chill to set while you prepare the next layer. As noted above, it will need to be added when the this layer has set to a gentle touch so that the liquids don’t mix, but before it has fully set and cured in order to adhere the layers.
Preparing the gold (turmeric) layer:
- Measure your turmeric powder into a suitable container for mixing and pouring.
- Mix a small spoonful of the prepared liquefied gelatin with the powder to dissolve/mix with minimal lumps and clumps. Once mixed, add in the rest of your gelatin and stir to thoroughly combine.
- Check that your existing layer is ready for pouring. Wait if/as needed.
- When ready, carefully pour over your existing layer.
- Chill to set thoroughly before removing from moulds (shapes) or slicing (pans).
Gummy Dog Treat Making Tips and Tricks
- See our comprehensive post on making and storing homemade gelatin gummy dog treats for additional information.
- These treats should be kept refrigerated and can be frozen for longer storage, although freezing can affect consistency.
Recipe and Ingredient Tips and Tricks
- My dogs like the smell of plain gelatin, but a little tasty boost of chicken stock never goes astray. My stock is homemade (and free!). You can read more in our FAQ post on stock for making homemade dog treats.
- In my experience, 3 tbsp of gelatin powder per cup of liquid makes firm gummies. If you prefer, you can use more gelatin for added supplementation or less for a jigglier jelly treat with lower gelatin content. Individual gelatin powders may be a little stronger / weaker. Find a ratio that works for your preferences and, of course, your dog.
- You can adjust the add-ins to suit your preferences on colour and your pet’s preferences on scent and flavour. Don’t go too strong though! Too much powder can affect the consistency and may have settled sediment that makes it difficult for layers to hold and/or the gummies to be cleanly removed from the pan or moulds.
Hungry for more tasty treats? There are all sorts of homemade dog treat ideas in our blog archives. You can use the category and tag labels to find other recipes that might be of interest or use our internal search tools to find something specific. Remember, treats (bought or homemade) are for spoiling your pup in moderation. We share ideas from treats that we’ve made ourselves for our pets, but different animals have different preferences (likes/dislikes), just like people. Some pets may have special dietary requirements and/or food allergies/intolerances. If you are ever in doubt or have questions about what’s suitable for your pet, have a chat with your trusted vet.
