Need an amazing lactation cookie recipe? Here it is! We know breast milk is great nourishment for baby, but all those calories have to come from somewhere: mom’s diet! According to the Mayo Clinic, nursing moms need as much as 400 extra calories per day and extra nutrients like calcium, B vitamins, Iron and vitamin D, along with good healthy fats that help build a baby’s brain. Well, here is a cookie recipe that brings all that together in one scrumptious package, a perfect easy to grab snack for an overwhelmed new mom.
When I was breastfeeding twins, I was always hungry, and these lactation cookies became a staple snack. Since then, I’ve tweaked and perfected the recipe, and now I deliver a batch whenever a friend brings a new baby into the world. So, for world breastfeeding week, I’m sharing the recipe so that you can share them with a nursing mom in your life!
What are the magic ingredients packed into these lactation cookies? Oats are a great source of fiber, iron and folate, and some experts say that because oats contain high concentrations of saponins, immune-stimulating compounds, they may help increase milk production. Flaxseed is full of omega 3 and 6 fatty acids. Brewer’s yeast is basically powdered B-vitamins and wheat germ contributes more omega 3 and 6 along with magnesium, zinc, and folate. Most importantly, chocolate-chip-cookies, make most people feel good, and relaxed, and according to breast-feeding-bible, Kellymom, “Anything that increases relaxation in mom can encourage let-down, and hence also influence milk supply.” So give these a try and let us know what you think in the comments!
Feel-Good, Mamma: Lactation Cookie Recipe
INGREDIENTS
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 2 tablespoons brewer’s yeast (add as much as 4, if you have a B vitamin deficiency this is where to pack it in)
- 2 tablespoons wheat germ
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened (important that it’s not melted, just softened)
- 2 tablespoons water
- 2 tablespoons ground flax meal
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tablespoons milk (optional)
- 2 1/2 cups quick or old-fashioned oats
- 2 cups (12-oz. pkg.) chocolate chips
- 1 cup coarsely chopped nuts (optional)
INSTRUCTIONS
PREHEAT oven to 375° F.
COMBINE flax and water in a dish, let sit for 2-5mins (until it looks like mush). Combine flour, baking soda and yeast in small bowl. Beat butter, brown sugar and granulated sugar in large mixer bowl until creamy. Beat in eggs, flax, milk and vanilla extract. Gradually beat in flour mixture. Stir in oats, chocolate morsels and nuts; mix well. Drop by rounded tablespoon onto ungreased baking sheets.
BAKE for 9 to 10 minutes for chewy cookies or 12 minutes for crispy cookies. Cool on baking sheets for 1 minute; remove to wire racks to cool completely (when I make them I aim for chewy)
Alterations:
Make it egg-free by swapping ground flax (2tbs per egg) – still delicious
Make them dairy free by swapping out the eggs (above) and then swapping earth balance spread for the butter – these come out flatter, but still yummy!
