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March 17, 2018

Homemade Dog Treats: Liver Cake Recipe for Dogs

Yeuch, liver, and cake?  Why on earth would anyone want a liver cake recipe?  Well if you aren’t a fan of liver or the smell of liver cooking, this may be the last thing you want to cook. However, don’t be too quick to stop reading here.

These are ‘high’ value reward treats and I promise you, they can make a huge difference when training your dog.

You know, those times when your dog decides to have a ‘stubborn’ streak. Yep, even I occasionally get that blank look or teenager behaviour of ‘I can’t hear’ you from Millie!   Personally, I’ve found that when Millie starts to get bored or distracted during agility classes, then these treats always save the day.  I mix in a few liver cake chunks with her normal shop bought treats and she’s suddenly more attentive and focused for longer!.  Whoop!

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As someone who is always pushed for time, I can guarantee the recipe is super easy to make and can be made gluten-free too.    My top tip would be to get that smelly cooking over all at once and batch cook several portions as it can be frozen.   You can pop batches of it into the freezer and it will last you several weeks at a much lower cost than shop bought treats.

Ok so enough of how good it is, let’s get on with making them.  Here’s my liver cake recipe guaranteed to satisfy those four paws!

 

Liver Cake Recipe Homemade Dog Treats

 

Liver Cake Recipe

Preparation Time: 15 minutes; Cooks In: 90 minutes

Difficulty:   Easy

 

Ingredients:

450g (1lb) of raw liver (I’ve used lamb)

450g (1lb) of self-raising flour (or gluten-free flour for dogs with allergies)

3 eggs

2 cloves of garlic (or 1 teaspoon of lazy garlic)

Milk/Water

(n.b before you hit the comments button with the fact that garlic is dangerous to dogs, there is very confusing contradicting info and garlic in small doses is deemed to be safe.  If in any doubt, then do just exclude from the recipe).

 

Liver Cake Recipe Homemade Dog Treat

 

Method:

 

#1 Mix eggs and milk/water

In a measuring bowl, crack the eggs and add milk or water to double the volume.  Using a fork, mix well to blend.

 

#2 Mix liver and garlic

Using a blender, liquidise the liver and garlic to a smooth consistency.

 

Liver Cake Recipe Homemade Dog Treat

 

#3  Mix the above together

Mix in the egg and milk/water mixture to the blended liver and garlic.

 

Liver Cake Recipe Homemade Dog Treat

 

#4  Stir in the flour

In a large bowl, combine the remaining ingredient flour. You’ll find it will turn into a sticky, dough-like consistency.

 

Liver Cake Recipe Homemade Dog Treat

 

#5  Transfer into baking tray(s)

I personally separate into two batches and line my baking trays (can be unlined).   You could be creative here and make a bone shaped cake  – perfect for doggy birthdays.

 

Liver Cake Recipe Homemade Dog Treats

 

#6  Bake in the oven

Pop into the oven at 180 degrees, for 45-60mins.   Check on the cake at around 35 mins – the top should be darkened and should bounce back when pressed lightly.

 

Liver Cake Recipe Homemade Dog Treat

 

#7  Cut into treat sized pieces

Remove from oven and cut into small sized bites (if preparing as treats).  I find it cuts a little easier whilst still warm.  Though be warned your pooch will be watching you carefully at this point.

 

Liver Cake Recipe Homemade Dog Treat

 

#8 Keep in fridge or freeze

Keep any fresh batches in the fridge and pop the others into the freezer. Whilst some people suggest letting it defrost, I find it does this quickly and if in small enough bites, there is no need to do so.

These treats will last in the fridge for 2-3 days and in the freezer from around 3 months.

[bctt tweet=”My goal in life is to be as good of a person my dog already thinks I am. #dogsoftwitter” username=”Millies_Pets”]

 

#9   Be your Dog’s Hero

No explanation needed – they’ll have been sniffing around you throughout the whole process!

 

English Springer Spaniel Millie

 

 

Did your Dog Love our Liver Cake Recipe?

This recipe has been by far our most popular both in terms of those reading and baking but also with Millie too.  This is one treat she won’t ever be sharing!  So, I’d love to hear how you get on with making it and if you also spot how ‘mad’ your dog is for this fab treat.

Don’t forget to check out the full Sunday Bites series which has 8 easy homemade dog treat recipes HERE.  You may also want to follow our dog treat board over on Pinterest HERE.  I promise you’ll have lots of fun baking but also love knowing exactly what is going into your dogs treats.

 

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  1. Not sure if I did something wrong but had to take the cake out of the oven after about 45 mins as it was becoming very hard. Didn’t dare leave it for 75 mins or it would be rock hard.
    Sliced into bit-sized portions easily, interior being of a heavy, bread-like consistency.
    And the dog loves it so…..result!

    1. Hey Sarah – I baked again last night in my mum’s oven this time and using a larger shallower tray. It did take just 50 mins and I turned it down for the last 10 mins so def resonate with your thoughts! I’m going to adjust the timings above and reflect that diff ovens/splitting the bake can have an impact.
      So pleased they loved it!!

    1. Raw garlic is toxic to dogs, my vet suggested putting a small amount of garlic into the cake as it is good for their coats when a small amount of cooked garlic is used in such things like liver cakes.

  2. Just got it out of the oven- after 50 minutes… And out of the tray. Not cut yet, dogs just got crumbs, but they love it ??

  3. Thank you for sharing this recipe, my Border Terrier Tia absolutely loves these little treats. followed your method but it did take a little less time to cook.
    This made lots of high value treats which works amazingly when doing our training.
    I froze 3 trays of them and once frozen i bagged them up which took very little space up in my freezer.
    Many thanks

    Joanne and Tia x

  4. Our staffie is full of arthritis, so I just made liquidised liver with porridge oats and it works really well. I left out the garlic and egg but it’s very moist and she thinks it’s delicious !

  5. I thought it was just me having problems with the timing, 35 minutes is all it took .
    I found that in places it rose into a hard bubble so wasted quite a bit, but ended up with enough to make the exercise worthwhile, am going to reduce the temp a bit next time. My mini Schnauzer loves it.

  6. ive used this recipie for years my furbabys love the stuff. for a ball crazy collie to snub the ball for treast you no it good .

  7. Hi
    I’ve read that self raising flour isn’t good for dogs. Can i use another type of flour?
    Jan

    1. Hey Janice – I haven’t tried myself but I know some of our suppliers use coconut flour in their treats so maybe worth a try? Not sure how it will turn out but let us know if you do attempt! x