ask the chef :: icing

As far as frosting or coating goes, I have read that sugar is not good for dogs, there for yogurt coating is out, it has sugar. White chocolate still contains the chemical that regular chocolate has that does cannot have. I would like an icing that I can use that will harden like a royal icing….any suggestions?

Hello Holley,
Working under the impression that you are looking for an icing that remains hard at room temperature (as opposed to freezing) I have no suggestions.

I’ve got nothing.

I’m okay with using yogurt drops/coating because I only use them in moderation so my dogs are only getting a small amount with each treats, which should always be given sparingly.
Some do use white chocolate because it contains such a small amount of theobromine (which is chocolates toxic compound) that most people consider it safe to use. But of course white chocolate also contains sugar and as far as I’m concerned staying far away from chocolate is always the smart move.
The only other icing recipes I have are soft, using cream cheese, and they harden when frozen and remain stiff when they thaw but not hard.
Sooo I’ll post this and see if anyone else can help you.

Does anyone have any suggestions for Holley or a icing recipe recommendation?

[Edit] Woo hoo Thanks to facebook, well specifically Robin‘s comments on facebook I’m back in the game! I totally forgot about unsweetened carob chips (I’ve never seen white carob chips but regular chips apply as well). They would provide you a hard coating and only a small amount of sugar.
She even shared a recipe she likes:

White Carob Icing

3 cups white carob chips
1 tsp. vegetable oil
Food coloring or 1 tablespoon vegetable powder for coloring (see below)

Directions: Melt carob chips in double boiler or microwave and add vegetable oil and coloring. Treats can be dipped in icing or icing can be piped or applied with a pastry brush. Place on waxed paper to cool.

For natural coloring, use:
Turmeric for yellow icing
Beet powder for pink icing
Spinach powder for green icing

Thank you so much Robin. Woof!