Puppy Bowl 2011: Dogs Need Super Bowl Snacks Too!

2 1/2 cups (625 mL) whole wheat flour

1/4 cup (60 mL) skim milk powder

1/4 cup (60 mL) grated Parmesan cheese

1 tsp. (5 mL) baking powder

1 cup (250 mL) chicken or beef stock, or water

2 Tbsp. (30 mL) canola, olive or flax oil

sesame seeds, for sprinkling

Preheat oven to 350 F.

In a large bowl, combine flour, skim milk powder, Parmesan cheese and baking powder. Add the chicken stock and oil and stir until the dough comes together; turn out onto a lightly floured surface and knead a few times, then cover with a towel and let rest for about 15 minutes.

Pinch off pieces of dough about the size of a walnut, roll into thin ropes and shape the ropes into pretzels, pressing the ends to seal. You can make pretzels as big or small as you like to suit the size of your dog, but increase the baking time accordingly. If you like, brush a little water over the tops of the pretzels and sprinkle them with sesame seeds.

Bake for about 20 minutes, until firm. Turn off the oven, leaving the pretzels inside as it cools to allow them to harden further. Store in a tightly sealed container.

Makes about 1 1/2 dozen pretzels.