Oh my goodness, if you are tired of those hard, break-your-dog’s-tooth biscuits, you are going to love this recipe! I used to chase my sweet old boy, Buster, around the yard trying to get him to eat these rock-hard store brands. Then I started thinking, what do *I* love? Chewy things! So I experimented until I nailed the perfect texture. These amazing **Blueberry & Cranberry Bone Gummy Treats for Dogs** are soft, delightfully chewy, and packed with color.
Buster absolutely loves these, and frankly, they smell fantastic—like a slightly tart fruit snack. I’ve been making these for him for three years now, especially since I started worrying about all those mystery ingredients floating around in commercial snacks. Honestly, once you see how easy it is to make these beautiful bone shapes in your own kitchen, you’ll never go back to the box again. It’s just applesauce, berries, and gelatin!
Why You Will Love These Blueberry & Cranberry Bone Gummy Treats for Dogs
Seriously, these little chewables hit every mark a pet parent could want. They are incredibly easy, taste great (my dog definitely thinks so!), and you control exactly what goes into them. Buster goes absolutely wild when he smells the berries cooking on the stove!
- They have that perfect, satisfying chewiness—soft enough for older dogs but firm enough to hold their shape.
- The preparation is ridiculously fast; you’re mostly just waiting for these to chill!
- Natural goodness! We aren’t hiding any weird fillers in here.
- They are fun! Using those silicone molds makes them look like little holiday snacks.
Simple Preparation for Blueberry & Cranberry Bone Gummy Treats for Dogs
Don’t let the chilling time scare you off; the active work here is like nothing! We’re talking 15 minutes of prep time and about 5 minutes of gentle heat on the stove. That’s it! If you can melt some gelatin, you can totally master this recipe. It’s so beginner-friendly, you might wonder why you didn’t start making your own treats ages ago.
No intense baking, no messy flour explosions—just a quick cook, a whisk, and into the fridge they go. It really doesn’t get simpler than making these fantastic **Blueberry & Cranberry Bone Gummy Treats for Dogs**.
Antioxidant Boost from Berries in Your Blueberry & Cranberry Bone Gummy Treats for Dogs
I always feel good about giving Buster these because blueberries and cranberries are little nutritional powerhouses, right? They are packed with antioxidants, which is great for supporting a happy immune system as he ages. It’s nice knowing his favorite snack is actually contributing something positive to his diet.
We are steering clear of all the high sugar stuff you find in human candies, obviously, but getting that natural goodness from the fruit makes me feel like a five-star dog chef. The cranberries give it a nice little zing that dogs seem to enjoy, balancing out the sweetness of the applesauce in these **Blueberry & Cranberry Bone Gummy Treats for Dogs**.
Gathering Ingredients for Blueberry & Cranberry Bone Gummy Treats for Dogs
Okay, let’s chat about what you need to pull this magic trick off! The beauty of these **Blueberry & Cranberry Bone Gummy Treats for Dogs** is that they use simple things you probably already have, or can easily grab at the store. We ditch the crazy stuff and stick to fruits, gelatin, and a touch of flour for structure.
You will need:
- 1 cup of unsweetened applesauce—make sure it’s plain!
- 1/2 cup of fresh or frozen blueberries.
- 1/2 cup of fresh or frozen cranberries—they give a great little zip!
- 1/2 cup of water.
- 1/4 cup of unflavored gelatin powder—seriously, unflavored is key here.
- 1/2 cup of whole wheat flour, or whatever flour swap you are using.
That’s it for the main list! I actually keep a bag of frozen berries on hand just for this recipe. I was looking up turkey recipes earlier and found this wonderful turkey and cranberry jerky recipe that reminds me of the holiday spirit these treats bring!
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions for Blueberry & Cranberry Bone Gummy Treats for Dogs
While the measurements are firm, substitutions are super easy if you need them. The biggest question I get is about the flour. If your pup is sensitive to wheat—and honestly, a lot of dogs are—just swap that whole wheat flour out! Rice flour works like a charm if you need something completely grain-free, and oat flour is another great option. Just make sure you measure it correctly so the gelatin sets up nicely.
Also, if you absolutely cannot stand little tiny seeds or bits of berry skin in your final product, you can strain the fruit mixture right after heating it up, before adding the gelatin. This is how you get those incredibly smooth **Blueberry & Cranberry Bone Gummy Treats for Dogs**. It makes them look almost like candy!
Step-by-Step Guide to Making Blueberry & Cranberry Bone Gummy Treats for Dogs
This is where the magic happens, but don’t worry! It’s more like assembling than actual cooking. I always put on some good music while I do this part. Just follow these few simple steps, and you’ll have perfect chewy treats ready for the fridge in under ten minutes.
First, we cook the fruit down just enough to get them soft, then we introduce the gelatin, which is the key to the chewiness. We need to make sure everything is totally combined before it sets up! If you’re looking for other berry-based snacks, I’ve got a great turkey and blueberry jerky recipe that uses similar fruit flavor profiles.
Cooking and Dissolving Gelatin
First things first, put your applesauce, both berries, and the water into a small saucepan. Get that heat on medium and let it bubble gently for about five minutes until the berries are soft. Give them a little mash with a fork while they are heating up—you want them broken down a bit. Once they’ve softened, yank the pan right off the burner. Now, sprinkle that unflavored gelatin right over the top. You have to whisk this part consistently until you can’t see any dry powder left. I mean it—no dry spots or your **Blueberry & Cranberry Bone Gummy Treats for Dogs** will be lumpy!
Setting and Cutting Your Blueberry & Cranberry Bone Gummy Treats for Dogs
After the gelatin is perfectly smooth, stir in your flour until you get a really thick, almost sloppy batter—that’s what you’re looking for. Now you have a choice for your shapes! If you’re using those cute silicone bone molds, just spoon the batter straight in. If you’re using a shallow baking dish, spread it smooth, aiming for about half an inch thick. Next, and this is the hard part because my dogs stare at me the whole time, they go into the cold zone. You absolutely must let them chill for a minimum of four hours. I usually make them before bed so they are rock solid by morning. Once they are fully set, pop them out of the molds or slice them into neat little bones. Tada! Perfect **Blueberry & Cranberry Bone Gummy Treats for Dogs**!
Tips for Perfect Gummy Texture and Shape
Okay, since we’re making these chewy guys, temperature and humidity can actually play a role in how they set up. If your kitchen is super humid, you might need to leave them in the fridge an extra hour, or maybe even pop them under the freezer for a quick 15-minute firm-up before transferring them to the fridge. You want them springy, not sticky!
When it comes to popping them out of those bone molds, I learned a trick the hard way—don’t just yank! If you are struggling to get a clean release, gently flip the mold upside down and let it sit on the counter for about five minutes. Sometimes letting them warm up just slightly helps them release without tearing.
If you used the shallow dish method, getting perfect bone shapes is easier, but sometimes the edges stick a little. Make sure you oil that dish *really* well. If you struggle with any of my jerky recipes, like this chicken and blueberry energy jerky I shared, the trick is always patience during the release phase!
Storing and Serving Homemade Dog Treats
Now that you’ve made this fantastic batch, keeping them fresh is super important because we aren’t using any weird preservatives. Don’t worry, storage is a breeze!
You need to pop these treats into an airtight container. I use my glass Pyrex containers—they seal tightest! Then, they go straight into the refrigerator. This recipe keeps them perfectly chewy and fresh for up to two whole weeks. That’s two weeks of happy tail wags!
Remember, these are treats, not dinner! They are supposed to complement a balanced diet, not replace meals. I usually give Buster just two or three a day for good behavior. If you check out my turkey and pumpkin jerky, those are a bit richer, so I give fewer of those.
Frequently Asked Questions About Gelatin Dog Treats
I get so many questions after people try my recipes! It makes sense; when you make something new for your best friend, you want to be sure everything is just right. Don’t stress about the gelatin part—it’s actually super common in the dog treat world for good reasons!
If you are curious about other ways to flavor things up, I recently posted a really tasty beef and blueberry training jerky that also takes advantage of fruit flavor!
Is gelatin safe for dogs in these treats?
Yes, absolutely! Gelatin is totally safe for dogs. In fact, unflavored gelatin is often recommended by vets because it’s mostly protein and can actually help support your dog’s joints and coat health over time. It’s the key ingredient that gives these snacks their amazing chewy texture and helps them hold that cute bone shape.
Since we’re using the unflavored kind without any added sugar or flavorings, it’s a pure, safe binder that thickens everything up perfectly when it chills.
Can I make these Blueberry & Cranberry Bone Gummy Treats for Dogs grain-free?
Oh, that’s a great question, especially if you have a pup with a sensitive tummy! You definitely can make these grain-free. Remember how I mentioned whole wheat flour in the main instructions? You just swap that out one-to-one for a different flour.
My go-to grain-free substitute here is plain white rice flour—it blends in beautifully and doesn’t mess with the setting process. Oat flour works wonderfully too if your dog handles oats well. Just measure that flour substitute exactly as the recipe states, and you will have perfect grain-free chewy treats!
Estimated Nutritional Breakdown Per Treat
Now, I know some of you are big label readers, and I totally get it! When you’re making dog food or treats at home, you want to know exactly what you’re handing over. Remember, since these **Blueberry & Cranberry Bone Gummy Treats for Dogs** are made with simple, whole ingredients, the nutrition is pretty clean.
This table below is based on the recipe yielding about 40 small treats. It’s just an estimate, of course, because my applesauce might be different from yours, but it gives you a fantastic ballpark idea of the goodness packed into each little bone shape. My dog Buster gets so excited by these that I like knowing he’s getting only a few little bits of sugar per snack!
I always try to keep my dog’s supplemental snacks light, which is why I love that these are far less calorie-dense than crunchy store-bought chews. If you’re comparing nutrient profiles, you might also want to look at my turkey and sweet pea light jerky recipe for another low-fat option!
| Nutrient | Amount Per Treat |
|---|---|
| Calories | 25 |
| Total Fat | 0.1g |
| Carbohydrates | 6g |
| Protein | 1g |
| Sugar | 3g |
| Fiber | 0.5g |
See? Hardly any fat, and a nice little boost of protein from that gelatin! I always tell folks, treat-making is about balance. Having a small snack that gives you great flavor without too many empty calories or too much fat is a win-win for both of us!
Share Your Homemade Dog Treat Success
I really hope you and your furry pals love having these chewy treats around as much as Buster and I do! I put so much love into getting this recipe just right, and I’d be thrilled if you gave it a whirl.
If you whip up a batch of these yummy snacks, please come back and rate the recipe! Let me know in the comments if your dog went wild for the blueberry and cranberry combo, or if you snapped any cute photos of them enjoying their new bone-shaped goodies. Any feedback is the best feedback!
If you want to send me a picture or have general questions about dog diets, don’t hesitate to reach out via my contact page. Happy baking—or well, happy chilling!
Print
Blueberry & Cranberry Bone Gummy Treats for Dogs
- Total Time: 4 hr 20 min
- Yield: Approximately 40 small treats 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Simple recipe for homemade chewy dog treats featuring blueberries and cranberries.
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1/2 cup fresh or frozen blueberries
- 1/2 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/4 cup unflavored gelatin powder
- 1/2 cup whole wheat flour (or substitute rice flour for grain-free)
Instructions
- Combine applesauce, blueberries, cranberries, and water in a small saucepan. Heat over medium heat until the berries soften, about 5 minutes. Mash the berries slightly with a fork.
- Remove the mixture from the heat. Sprinkle the gelatin powder over the top and whisk until completely dissolved.
- Stir in the flour until a thick batter forms.
- Pour the batter into silicone bone-shaped molds or a shallow, lightly oiled baking dish (about 1/2 inch thick).
- Refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or until completely firm.
- Once firm, cut the mixture into bone shapes if using a dish, or pop them out of the molds.
- Store the finished treats in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.
Notes
- If you use frozen fruit, you do not need to thaw it before cooking.
- For a smoother texture, strain the cooked fruit mixture through a fine-mesh sieve before adding the gelatin.
- If your dog has sensitivities, substitute the whole wheat flour with oat flour or rice flour.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 5 min
- Category: Dog Treats
- Method: Chilling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 treat
- Calories: 25
- Sugar: 3
- Sodium: 1
- Fat: 0.1
- Saturated Fat: 0
- Unsaturated Fat: 0
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 6
- Fiber: 0.5
- Protein: 1
- Cholesterol: 0
Keywords: dog treats, blueberry, cranberry, homemade dog food, gelatin treats, bone shape