Valentine Box of "chocolates" for Puppies

We have a lot of little puppies currently, so I am always looking for ways to treat(spoil) them.

Valentine's Day was a no-brainer opportunity to do just that.

My idea was to create a completely edible heart-shaped box with delectable treats inside, all puppy-friendly, of course.

(and if there is a paleo person in your life... this totally works for them, too!)

Read on to see how I made this creation of puppy love.

Step 1: "Chocolates"

We had two pigs, Peas and Carrots, this past year that we raised for ourselves for yummy pork in all its forms; bacon(of course), ground, ribs, bones, organs, etc.

I used ground pork and chopped up liver and bacon as the base, then added an egg, minced parsley and celery, turmeric, a little cinnamon and a squeeze of lemon juice.

Mixed thoroughly, formed little balls then baked at 325 for 25 minutes.

Step 2: Toppings

For prettiness and added nutrition I made two different toppings to sit on top of the "chocolates".

1. Banana with cream cheese, and blueberries with cream cheese.

2. I pureed the blueberries then cooked them down quite a bit, to thicken and for digestion purposes.

3 & 4. The finished bowls of toppings. Way more than I need but it certainly won't go to waste.

Step 3: Making the Dough for Heart Cookie

I used:

1.5 C of coconut flour

.5 C of peanut butter

.5 C of coconut oil

4 eggs

10 oz of pureed pumpkin

Mixed together and formed into dough. Very easy and quick, using a rubber spatula.

Step 4: Forming and Baking the Cookie

I used a silpat pad, to form, bake and serve. This seemed the easiest.

1. Pressing the dough onto the silpat and using a rolling pin, then cutting away to create a heart.

2. I then formed the walls of the box in small sections. This was very easy and the dough is great to work with!

3. I pricked holes into the dough to help with cooking.

4. Carefully slide silpat onto a cookie or pizza pan(flipped over if it has a lip) and slide all that into a 375 degree oven. Bake for 30 minutes.

5. Allow to cool completely, say 20 minutes minimum.

Step 5: Decorate!

1. I wrapped parchment around a cookie sheet and placed the "chocolates" on top. I added the two different toppings.

2. For extra gourmet prettiness, I added pumpkin seeds and bits of raspberries on top of the cream topping.

3. To fill the spaces in between the "chocolates" I added peanut butter to the banana/cream cheese mixture.

4. I arranged the treats into the heart, then plopped down the p.b./banana cream mix in between them.

SHOWTIME!

The puppies devoured the treats and mix, and half of the cookie, then I let Mommy Mona come in and help herself to the rest. She is a Lab, so it took her under a minute.

Happy Valentine's Day!!