Keep them for yourself or give them as a gift to a new mama in your life! These delicious “lactation cookies” are packed with nutrients to support breastfeeding. Did we mention there’s chocolate?…

BB trainer Tricia Braun contributed this recipe — a fave from her journey as a mother and one of her go-to gifts for her new mama friends. She says:

When I had my second baby my girlfriend made a habit of showing up at my house with a cookie drop off. Weekly. She was part-evil and part-exactly what I needed. I was having a really tough time adjusting to life with 2 under 2. My midwife noticed the signs of postpartum depression and got me the help I needed. That saved me for sure. The other thing that saved me was the weekly cookie drop off.

Now, I am not saying that cookies are the answer to depression. But when they come attached to a girlfriend with a hug and an ear to listen they certainly helped to make my week a little bit brighter. And goodness knows we mamas need all the help we can get in those early days.

Now, I have another friend who has had her second baby. I am paying forward the generosity by getting back into my kitchen. I made a batch of these lactation cookies for my girlfriend right before her due date and a second batch a couple of weeks later.

We got to keep a few for ourselves and everyone here was blown away by how good a “lactation cookie” can taste. It is essentially an oatmeal chocolate chip cookie with brewers yeast (to facilitate lactation) and healthy fats and fibre. The B vitamins in brewers yeast are essential in pregnancy and postpartum — so even if you’re not concerned about milk supply, this cookie recipe is a great treat for all mamas and mamas-to-be.

My husband has yet to lactate but I think they are helping me almost a year into breastfeeding my little guy. Who knows? If I can make another friend as happy as my friend made me, then the lactation comes second to the cookie.

Make them for a girlfriend and enjoy over tea while the babies are sleeping. Or make them for yourself!

 

Lactation Cookies

Packed with nutrients & a delicious treat with tea…the perfect gift for a new mama (or yourself)!

Ingredients

• 3 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
• 1 1/2 cups unbleached organic all-purpose flour
• 5 tablespoons brewer’s yeast
• 3 tablespoons ground flaxseed
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
• 12 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 4 tablespoons unrefined virgin coconut oil
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups dark chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup chopped almonds

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350F
2. In a large bowl, whisk together the oats, flour, yeast, flaxseeds, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt.
3. In the bowl of an electric mixer or with a hand mixer, cream together the butter and coconut oil until creamy. Add the sugar and continue to beat 5 minutes, until fluffy.
4. Add the eggs one at a time and beat until combined. Add in the vanilla.
5. Gradually add in the dry ingredients, beating on low speed until just combined. Stir in the chocolate chips and almonds until combined.
6. Using a mini ice cream scoop or 1 tablespoon measure, scoop the dough onto a silpat-lined baking sheet.
7. Bake for 10-12 minutes, until golden brown.

Notes

* Use an ice cream scoop to get the batter on the parchment paper lined cookie sheet, and they will turn out all the same same size and Instagram-ready!

 

Recipe: Weelicious