K-9 Nation Biscuit Book: Baking for Your Best Friend

Twin Cities master bread baker Klecko better like sloppy kisses. Because his face is about to be licked aplenty by grateful dogs across America.

His new book, K-9 Nation Biscuit Book: Baking for Your Best Friend, published this month by the Minnesota Historical Society Press ($16.95; 124 pages, covered spiral binding), spares your loyal, deserving, four-legged friends from facing yet another bowl of crude-protein kibbles. Klecko incorporates myriad spices in his canine recipes, such as caraway seeds and rosemary; an assortment of flours, from coconut to rye to whole wheat; and other ingredients that will enlighten your pooch’s palate: miso paste, hemp oil, pumpkin pie filling, mackerel, and ouzo.

Also included are not only indulgent treats, such as Peanut Butter-Brown Sugar Biscuits, but also practical recipes to help your pup calm down on his ride to the vet, soothe his upset tummy, and freshen his lake-water breath. We’ve included, below, the recipe for Klecko’s “most prized accomplishment,” his K-9 Nation Biscuits, because tail or no tail, you can never go wrong with bacon.

Klecko will sign copies of his book this Saturday, Apr. 18, from 11am-1pm during “Pint-Sized Play” time at Urbanimal, 2106 Lyndale Ave. S, Minneapolis; 612.879.0709.

K-9 Nation Biscuits

3 c whole wheat flour
1/2 c yellow cornmeal
1/4 c flax seed
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1 c bacon, fried, drained, and chopped
1 1/2 c beef broth
1/2 c olive oil

Preheat oven to 375°F.

In a large bowl, place the flour, cornmeal, flax seed, garlic powder, and bacon, stirring to loosely incorporate these dry ingredients.

Add the broth and olive oil to the dry ingredients, stirring with a sturdy spoon until the dough becomes pliable.

Place the dough on a floured surface and roll out or pat down to a thickness of 1/2 inch. Using a pizza cutter, make horizontal and vertical slices through the dough to from cube shapes. The size of the cubes will depend on the size of your dog’s jaw.

Place the biscuits on a baking pan or sheet covered with parchment paper. Bake in a preheated oven for 35 to 40 minutes, or until golden brown.

Excerpted from K-9 Nation Biscuit Book: Baking for Your Best Friend by Klecko. Published this month by the Minnesota Historical Society Press.