Disclosure: This is Vita Bone® Artisan Inspired® Dog Treats sponsor post. I’m being compensated to share my experience. However, at Daily Dog Tag, we only review products we use for ourselves or our dogs. All opinions are my own. Photos are by Alice G Patterson Photography. The link to the cookie cutters is an affiliate link. If you purchase after clicking that link, I’ll earn a small fee at no additional cost to you.
When I was growing up, my family loved tradition. We had pretty much the same menu for Thanksgiving every year. The night before Thanksgiving, my dad and I would make the pumpkin pies. The only dessert we ever had for Thanksgiving was pumpkin pie.
The first time I attended Thanksgiving at my in-laws, I was bewildered to find they had many different pies, cakes, and a trifle.
Over the years, I have added and dropped various menu items to holiday meals to suit our family and guests.
We’ve all seen traditional fall-themed pies, but why not break the mold and show off what you really love? Dogs are family. So we decided to bring that idea to the table this year, both with our desserts and something yummy for the dogs: Vita Bone® Artisan Inspired® Dog Treats.
One of the things I’ve learned in life is that you don’t always have to do things the hard way.
If you’ve ever wondered where the phrase “easy as pie” came from, it was from someone who didn’t have to make the pie crust. Now that you can buy premade crusts, fruit pies are pretty dang easy to make.
Armed with an apple cranberry pie crisp recipe, my awesome dog cookie cutter collection, and a premade crust, we went to work.
While I love to bake, I’m not a professional. I can never figure out how to crimp the pie crust edges to look like something Martha would make. So we decided to cover them up with a cute border.
After placing the border, it is time to add the cutouts.
And while I sometimes bake dog treats, Thanksgiving is a day that we are working extra diligently on food for the people. However, I still want my dogs to have something special.
Vita Bone Artisan Inspired Dog Treats smell like stuffing. They are made in the USA with real meat, fruit, and vegetables. I like that they are corn-free, soy-free, and don’t contain any artificial flavors or by-products.
What did Franny think of them?
She loved them!
Vita Bone Treats are available at Walmart (in-store and online) as well as grocery stores.
And because it just isn’t Thanksgiving to me without a piece of pumpkin pie, we made single-serving pumpkin pies too!
To avoid a Pinterest fail, wait until the filling is firm before adding the crust cut out!
Follow Alice G Patterson on Instagram to see more of her work!
Check out Vita Bone on Instagram, too, for lots of adorable dogs!
About Alice G Patterson Photography: Based in Syracuse, New York, Alice specializes in dog portraits as well as photography for small businesses.
Lindsey says
OMD! That pie is SOOOO adorable! I saw those treats at the store, and wondered if they were good. I will get some for my pack.
Tenacious Little Terrier says
That is the most adorable pie! I think Mr. N would like a meat pie with that pie crust for his birthday.
Beth says
Oh that’s a good idea!
The Daily Pip says
Oh my gosh, that pie is SO ADORABLE. I am the world’s worst baker – I could mess up almost any recipe. I am not very good at following directions. However after seeing this post, I am so tempted to try to make a pie with these adorable cut outs.
Such a cute post. I’m going to pin and tweet
Beth says
Thank you! If you buy a premade crust, it should go well!
Megan says
All of these look amazing. It makes me even more sad that I have to eat gluten free – although I may try these with some flour substitutes!
Beth says
Isn’t it great how you can substitute recipes these days to meet your dietary needs?
Tracy says
So creative! Lovely!
Southern & Style says
This is the cutest pie in the world-I love the Doxie border! My dog would go ga-ga over those treats too 🙂 My favorite Thanksgiving tradition is taking our lab to the pond after Thanksgiving lunch and letting him fetch his floating ball until he gets tired 🙂
xoxo, SS
Beth says
That sounds like a great Thanksgiving tradition. I wish my dogs liked water like that!
Jana Rade says
To totally love those pies. So creative, so beautiful. Wow, amazing job.
Ruth Epstein says
OMG it looks so professional, love it and must remember that idea for when I make pies, thanks so much
Cathy Armato says
OMD, I am SO impressed with your pie!! I have never seen cutouts used on the edges like that. I am also turning green w/ envy over your adorable doggie cookie cutouts! My dogs love VitaBone treats too, especially the Turkey, Stuffing and Cranberry flavor. When you open the bag, they definitely smell like Thanksgiving!
Love & Biscuits,
Dogs Luv Us and We Luv Them
Kamira Gayle says
Both pies look delicious. Now I’m hungry. What a special way to celebrate Thanksgiving with a perfect pie for the pups using Vida treats. Very clever. You did great.
Beth says
Thank you!
Lola The Rescued Cat says
I absolutely LOVE your pie crust! This is such a creative post. I’ve heard lots of great reviews about Vita Bone Treats. I hope I win for my niece’s dog.
Beth says
Thanks, and good luck!
paroma says
These vita bone treats look like something Babu will enjoy! I am glad that they don’t have corn in them, ugghh cause everything nowadays has high fructose corn syrup or corn byproducts.
Beth says
If you try them, let me know if Babu likes them.
4dogsandalittlelady says
My fiance has a baking business and she just started doing items for the dogs. She will love this crust! I cannot wait for her to try it and to see how our pups feel about it! It looks good enough for me to eat!q
Karlee says
I so agree with needed already made treats around the holidays! I love baking homemade treats but with all that work going into creating beautiful pies like that you needed a break!
Amelia Johnson says
Your pies look delicious…love the apple cranberry combo. The cutout coverup on the crusts reveals your ingenuity too. Glad the treats fit into the meal plan for the dogs.
Marci Smith says
I absolutely LOVE baking pies! I’m one of the rare 23-year-olds that enjoys making the crust from scratch too! And the crimping is easy, once you learn the trick!
Beth says
I hope you’ll share the secret to crimping on your blog!
Robin says
This is an adorable way to make a dog-themed pie! Pie crusts can be a pain. I just go with the theory that a pie is more about what it tastes like than what it looks like. LOL My favorite Thanksgiving tradition is watching the Thanksgiving Day parade on TV with some hot chocolate.
Beth says
You are right, the flavor is more important than presentation! My kids don’t like to watch the parade, but I still watch it in spurts.
Tori says
Lucy just loves Vita Bone! It’s her favorite treat!
My favorite Thanksgiving tradition is actually on Friday… I like to sit around and do NOTHING at all! Maybe a hike with Lucy, but that’s it. 🙂
Beth says
That’s what we do on Black Friday too, stay home and relax!
Jae (@gorjaeous) says
This is so cute! And while I don’t know how to bake to save my life, covering the edges with doggie cut-outs is genius!
Seppy says
What a GREAT idea!!!! I didn’t notice the dogs on the crust – looks SO CUTE!!!
http://www.elleisforlove.com
Beth says
Thanks so much!
Dee Johnson says
My favorite Thanksgiving tradition is pie baking with my mom and aunts.
Sadie says
The pie and minis are absolutely precious! I love that the vita bone dog treats compliment the yummy treats for their people.
Sweet Purrfections says
I love the idea of using the dog cut outs to make the pie crust! My favorite Thanksgiving tradition is eating the meal with my family members and then settling in to watch the football games on TV.
Spencer the Goldendoodle says
This is as easy as pie, even my mom could make it! It’s interesting that some families have other deserts on Thanksgiving, in our house we only have different flavor pies. I absolutely love your cookie cutters! And doesn’t these bone smell amazing!!!
Stephanie Seger says
What beautiful photos! I love the idea of dog themed desserts and making sure the dogs get great treats while the humans stuff themselves with turkey and pumpkin pie.
Susan Christy says
Pie baking – I plan and look forward to it for months!!
melanie huttner says
I love cooking a big dinner with my husband and having our family over.
Debbie says
What an adorable pie! Almost too cute to eat <3 The little dog border is the cutest thing ever!
Cindy A. says
I always love spending time with loved ones and watching the Macy’s parade.
Lori Hilliard says
I’ve been baking pies for years and never thought about making a border with cut-outs rather than the usual crimped crust. It’s so much prettier your way! I also loved the individual pies. You could make those and personalize each pie with a cut-out of their dog or their initials. So cute!
Laurajj says
Oh those dogs treats look sound and look so good! Our two lab rescues would love those. My favorite tradition for Thanksgiving is our whole family going over to my parents house..all the kids, grandkids, and great grandkids come. Its so nice to get everything together and we always play a game of Thanksgiving Bingo we made years ago!
Joely Smith says
I will absolutely be getting some VitaBones for our dogs now! That pie you made is outstanding and so pretty! By the way, trifle is my favorite dessert after pie! YUM!
Heather Wallace says
Not fair this is making me hungry! You make it look so easy. I have a horse rolling pin but haven’t put it to use just yet. I love the cookie cutter idea and will have to try it myself.
Beth says
Oohhh, a horse rolling pin sounds awesome. I keep hoping someone will surprise me with a dog one, but so far no luck.
Shelby @ For The Love of Paws says
GORGEOUS photos – first of all. Second, it looks SO yummy and I’m ready for Thanksgiving now!!
Kara says
I love everything about this idea. I may need to contribute a pie or two to our thanksgiving… or maybe just make the individual ones because they are too cute. Thank you for getting my creative juices flowing!
Carol Bryant says
OMD this is epic. I saw this on Alice’s Instagram and fell in love. So amazingly attractive and love this idea.
Ina @ Crafty For Home says
That is an adorable pie!
Cathy Armato says
I love pet cutouts! You’re right, the crust can be the hardest part of pie making but cutouts are fun to do. We love Vitabone treats at our house too!
Love & biscuits,
Dogs Luv Us and We Luv Them
Dorothy "FiveSibesMom" says
This looks so delish and how special, too, with the cutouts! Love it!
Tonya Wilhelm says
That pie and tarts are so adorable! I could totally see me doing this. Knowing me, I’d make it dog-friendly and share. lol I’m going to give this recipe a try. Thanks for the inspiration.
Lindsay Pevny says
I have some very similar dog cookie cutters, but I don’t make cookies often, so I haven’t found a use for them. This is so cool, and I absolutely love pie – I have to try this!
Brandy says
These are sooooooo cute!! I wish I was good at baking! I fail pretty much every time, but my kids are great bakers. I’ll have to show them this and ask them to make us one 🙂
Beth says
I hope you will share photos if and when they bake one!
Sonja of Montecristo Travels says
Ooooh I may just have to get the dog cookie shapes! That’s adorable and it would allow me to bring nice host/hostess gifts to my dog loving friends! Thanks for that! fab pics as always.
Sandy Kubillus says
Such a great looking pie! I loved the doggy cutouts! I almost thought that you were going to make a special pie for your dogs. The Vita Bone turkey stuffing treats look like a real hit!
Adriana Lopez says
I am in love with this pie, the cutters, and the story. Your pictures are stunning too. I am a chef, so I appreciate a good recipe and then with cutouts of my dogs is even better. No doubt this is my favorite pie ever!
The Dash Kitten Crew says
Oh my CAT this is simply gorgeous and SO tasty! and the photographs are simply beautiful.
* sigh *
Not that I’m jealous or anything……
Alex says
OH MY GOSH!!! Yup .. instant pin for later. This looks amazing! We will DEFINITELY be trying this recipe out. Beautiful captures too!
Thanks for sharing!
-Alex, Zach, and Navy
http://www.navycorgi.com
Holly/Emilia says
wow – I’m so hungry now! I love pie 🙂 Those cookie cutters are very cute the pie cut outs are a great idea.
Your pup clearly enjoyed her treats too.
Britt K says
Okay, how unbelievably adorable is that pie crust??? I have been baking a lot more during the pandemic as a way to pass some time at home, so I’m definitely going to have to try doing something like that. I don’t think any of my friends or family would be shocked to see a dog or cat-themed pie come from our house lol They would likely laugh and say that they should have seen it coming… The treats sound great as well. I love picking up new treats for the different seasons so that it feels like we’re giving them a little holiday surprise too.
Bonnie says
Just came across this post as I was looking for holiday ideas that I could include my pup in. While she may not be able to eat the pie, it’s great that she can have a Thanksgiving treat too.
I will need to look for these treats at our local pet store.
Thanks for sharing and that pie looks wonderful!!