Pucker up, valenpups! These no-bake layered carob heart dog treats dog treats combine the irresistible flavours and scents of carob and peanut butter with breath freshening Ceylon cinnamon and coconut oil. Smooches for pooches? Count us in!
Coconut Oil in the Dog Diet
Coconut Oil for Dogs
The coconut oil in this recipe is what makes these melt, pour, and set carob heart dog treats possible. Although it is considered beneficial by many, coconut oil is still almost exclusively fat and so it requires careful consideration of suitability and moderation for pet (or human) diets. When this post was first shared, coconut oil was recommended as a dietary supplement for dogs by many holistic vets and dog nutritionists; however, it has recently come under debate. You can see our post on super simple coconut oil dog treats for more information as well as links on the benefits of coconut oil and potential issues to consider before introducing it to your dog’s diet. If coconut oil is still part of your dog’s diet, read on for the treat recipe below. If it isn’t, there are tons of other recipes you can explore here on the blog instead.
Adapting the Recipe without Coconut Oil
Heart set on set hearts? Alternatively, as melt-and-set “chocolates” you could make these carob heart dog treats without coconut oil using all carob and/or yogurt drops instead, but they’ll be decidedly indulgent naughty little Valentine treats. Make a small batch, store for future nibbles, or share with with you furfriends. See our peanut butter and carob Easter egg dog treats for inspiration.
For a not-so-naughty alternative, you can swap the coconut oil for a dog-friendly liquid, keep the same flavouring inspiration, and make these as gummy dog treats or pupsicles instead. Woofs! Explore our DIY dog treat recipes for more delicious ideas.
Carob, Peanut Butter, and Cinnamon Coconut Oil Dog Treats
The heart treats were created in layers, as shown, but can also be created as a homogeneous mix if you prefer. You can also adapt to make the treats without the carob, peanut butter, and/or cinnamon to suit your dog’s sensitivities, palette, and/or your own personal preferences. Easy peasy! My dogs both enjoy coconut oil plain, but I created these indulgent treats with special Valentine chocolates as my inspiration.
Coconut Oil Valentine Heart Dog Treats with Carob, Peanut Butter, and Cinnamon
These melt, pour, and set treats were made using shaped silicone food moulds (affiliate link). You can buy them in all sorts of shapes and sizes. They’re cute and inexpensive, and versatile for making pupsicles, gummies, and other set treats too. Ingredients can be easily scaled to suit your own mould and you can adjust the flavouring add-ins to suit your preferences. Measurements are indicative only.
Treat Ingredients:
- 1 cup coconut oil, divided in thirds to create the separate layers
- Approximately 1-2 tbsp carob drops (or carob powder if you prefer)
- Approximately 1-2 tbsp smooth peanut butter
- Sprinkle of Ceylon cinnamon (optional)
Layering Options
I sandwiched the peanut butter in the middle in case it was a little softer than the other layers. The hearts also look nice with the fade from brown to beige to white. If using carob powder instead of melts, consider swapping the plain and the carob layers around. Coconut oil with carob can look a little cloudy when chilled, so keep the face of your hearts/shapes looking pretty with the plain.
Making the Treats:
Working incrementally so the first layer sets to the touch before the next is applied:
- Melt together the first divided portion of your coconut oil with the carob.
- Carefully layer the liquid into the bottom of the mould. Tap lightly, if needed, to even out the mixture in the mould. Refrigerate until set to the touch before adding the next layer.
- Melt together the second divided portion of your coconut oil with the peanut butter and Ceylon cinnamon (optional).
- Carefully layer the liquid over the set first layer. Tap lightly, if needed, to even out the mixture in the mould. Refrigerate until set to the touch before adding the next layer.
- Melt the remaining coconut oil for the plain layer.
- Layer the liquid into the mould. Tap lightly, if needed, to even out the mixture in the mould.
- Refrigerate until thoroughly set before removing from the mould.
- Store cool or refrigerated as coconut oil will soften or melt at ambient temperatures.
Treat Making Tips and Tricks
- See our comprehensive post on making and storing chilled dog treats for additional information.
- Be mindful of treat size and consumption relative to your pet’s size and any other individual factors.
- See our post on super simple coconut oil dog treats for more information on the coconut oil diet debate as well as links on the potential benefits and issues to consider before introducing it to your dog’s diet.
- Carob drops are often sweetened, whether you are buying them from the human baking good section or specially marketed dog treats. Many are a combination of sugars and oils with carob powder, some are unsweetened carob and oil mixtures. Yogurt drops are much the same. Either way, there’s nothing wrong with an occasional special treat, but always read your ingredients to know what you’re buying and eating/sharing.
- Take care when shopping to avoid artificial sweeteners in ingredients peanut butter when used for your dogs. Xylitol (E967) is particularly dangerous for dogs.
- In addition to being doggone delicious and fragrant, cinnamon offers some great health benefits to dogs (and people); however, it’s not suitable for everyone. Pregnant/nursing dogs in particular should not be given cinnamon. Ceylon cinnamon is the recommended variety for dogs, if/when used.
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.
