Sandy Spinach and Squash Stars (or 4S Cookies for short)

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I said I was going to bake myself into oblivion…

I pass by those “gourmet” dog cookies at PetSmart all the time and think, “I’m a baker.  How hard can it be?”  Well, if you’re a baker, it’s not.  Actually, if you’re NOT a baker it’s not.

I actually did my research this time.  I didn’t find any ONE recipe that I really wanted to make.  For some reason, I was stuck on spinach.  And, well, I had pumpkin left over from the chai cream cheese glazed pumpkin scones.  Actually, I still have enough to bake some pumpkin cupcakes.  Again, whenever Frankenstorm decides to make landfall and stop harassing this area….  I digress….

So, spinach, squash (pumpkin) flour, some kind of meal, egg, no oil so applesauce, and a tiny sweetener.  Here’s what I’ve got:

1 1/4 c whole wheat flour
1 1/4 c unbleached flour
1/2 c flax meal (ground flax seeds)
3/4 c applesauce
1 c chopped spinach
1/2 c pumpkin
1 egg
2 T molasses

Preheat oven to 350.

Combine the first three ingredients (flours and meal) into a large bowl.  Combine the remaining ingredients in a separate bowl and stir well.  Make a well in the center of the flour mixture and add the wet ingredients.  Stir until combined.

Turn out onto a floured surface and knead any remaining flour into the dough.  Using enough bench flour to keep the rolling pin from sticking, roll to 1/4″ and cut into shapes.

I don’t have one of those kitchy dog bone shaped cutters and well I thought cats just might be a little weird.  I chose the stars over the hearts.  I was thinking Spinach Stars at first.  Spinach Hearts just doesn’t have that ring to it.

*sigh*  If anyone reading this wants to get a Holiday gift this year, a new silicone rolling mat would be a good one to get.  Yes, this is the one I messed up when I made the chai cream cheese glazed pumpkin scones.  *note to self: do not use a sharp knife on the rolling mat*

Bake at 350 for 20 minutes or until brown and crispy.  I don’t want to have to refrigerate and then freeze (or make Sandy Spinach and Squash Star Biscotti) for more soft style treats.

The spinach makes a fringe on the stars.  This makes me *giggle* for some reason.  They have turned out to be furry stars for my furry baby.  As I sit here typing this, I realize that I forgot to put in the freeze dried spinach I had on hand (don’t ask) and meant to put some parsley in there, too.  My brain is a sieve.

Well, as you can tell, she hates them…

They’re a bit chewier than I thought, but I think they will crisp up tomorrow.  If they are chewy, then they’d be really good teeth cleaners and I SHOULD bake a batch with parsley and good teeth ingredients.

Now I MUST find one of those kitchy dog bone cookie cutters.  *hint hint for those following who need Holiday gift ideas*  And now, it seems as it the wind has picked up and Frankenstorm is soon to arrive.  I should eat something before I lose power and will have to eat cold soup from a can.  Cause I wasn’t early enough to get propane for the camping stove…as if I would be cooking on the camp stove out in the balcony in this weather.