Lactation Cookies.
No, never did I ever think I would be typing “lactation” and “cookies” in the same sentence and especially not on my blog.
But these
are
GOOD.
Here is my take on lactation cookies: I don’t know if the COOKIES really work, but I do believe that the key ingredients (oats, brewers yeast, coconut oil, flax) work. I sort of think that the cookies are an excuse to… eat cookies? But in a good way! Also, this is why I think they are so great – in those first few weeks, and heck, even now, I was so freaking hungry, like had never been so hungry in my life. Having something quick to grab, like something even quicker than a banana and almond butter, was imperative while in survival mode. Especially in the middle of the night.
Even since having Max, I’ve developed this hangry hunger every morning, to a point where if I don’t eat something very soon after waking, I feel physically sick. Most likely because he is taking calories from me at night? I’ve never dealt with that before. So having one of these as a snack in the middle of the night or even right when I wake up is a complete LIFESAVER.
Now, these are cookies. Like actual taste-good cookies. I tried a few recipes in the last couple weeks that tasted like cardboard and were drier than dirt. I wanted to make actual enjoyable cookies, ones I wanted to eat, ones I’d be happy to grab twice a day, maybe three times.
The texture: These are thick cookies, not cakey at all, slightly crunchy, but not in a bad or stale way – they are crunchy from the crazy amount of rolled oats inside. I wrote the recipe exactly as I’ve been making them – meaning mostly organic ingredients. Feel free to use non-organic ingredients and what you have on hand.
I know you’ll probably have questions on what you can substitute, what you can leave out or add, what you can change and so on, so I’ve added some notes below the recipe. These will taste best written EXACTLY as is. But I know that sometimes you gotta make some changes! I really, really suggest leaving the amount of fat/butter in the cookies – it adds to the calorie value and new moms need those calories! It will also help the cookie to be a more filling “snack.”
If you want to gift these to a new mom, I would make a batch and bake them, then make a batch and freeze them. Or bake half a batch and freeze the other half. Deliver both. Making a freshly baked double batch isn’t great because the cookies aren’t super soft and moist and that number of cookies will dry out before eaten. Unless of course their family will eat them too. If you’re a mom-to-be, you can totally make these ahead of time – scoop the dough into rounds, flash freeze it then place them in a ziplock bag. My friend Julie has a great tutorial on freezing cookie dough!
Do you have an awesome lactation cookie recipe? If so, share below!
What the video of how I make my Lactation Cookies!
Lactation Cookies
Ingredients
- 3 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1 1/2 cups unbleached organic all-purpose flour
- 5 tablespoons brewers yeast
- 3 tablespoons ground flaxseed
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 12 tablespoons organic unsalted butter
- 4 tablespoons unrefined organic virgin coconut oil
- 1 1/2 cups organic cane sugar
- 1 large egg + 1 large egg yolk
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups dark chocolate chips/chunks, I like ghirardelli
- feel free to add: unsweetened flaked coconut chopped almonds, 1 to 2 tablespoons of almond butter
Instructions
- Preheat the oven the 350 degrees F.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the oats, flour, yeast, flaxseed, baking powder, soda, cinnamon and salt.
- In the bowl of your electric mixer, beat the butter and coconut oil on medium speed until creamy. Add in the sugar and beat on medium to high speed until fluffy, about 4 to 5 minutes, scraping down the sides of the bowl if needed. Add in the egg and egg yolk, beating until combined, about 2 to 3 minutes. Add in the vanilla extract and beat until combined again. Gradually add in the dry ingredients, beating on low speed until just combined and mixed. Stir in the chocolate chips with a spatula until they are evenly dispersed.
- Scoop the dough into 1-inch rounds (I use an ice cream scoop so they are fairly uniform in size) and place on a baking sheet about 2 inches apart. Bake for 10 to 14 minutes, or until the bottoms are just golden. Let cool completely before storing in a sealed container.
Notes
2. You can use all butter if you don’t have/can’t find coconut oil. If you swap any butter amount for more coconut oil, the cookies will spread a bit more. If you decrease the fat (butter/oil) amount in total, these cookies will be drier. It’s up to you!
3. You can use 1/2 cup of whole wheat flour with similar results – any more and the cookies with be drier and grittier.
4. You can probably decrease the sugar by 1/4 cup without issue.
5. I do not have experience in making these vegan, so I can’t say what it would be like without the eggs or with vegan butter. I also am not sure how the consistency would be with gluten free flour.
6. I personally think you can increase the brewers yeast amount by 1 to 2 tablespoons.
Did you make this recipe?
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1,879 Comments on “Lactation Cookies.”
Made this the first time.. Did anyone have issues with the dough not sticking together? Hopfully they turn out..
Try adding a bit of peanut butter,making it 2 full eggs instead of just 1 egg and a yolk or adding some water to help make the dough more sticky.
How much peanut butter and water did u add
Mine did the same thing when I made them today. I thought about adding in the whole egg next time I make them. They did turn out still and they are delicious!
I’m running into the same issue. Fingers crossed
I added an extra tbsp butter the second time I made them and it was perfect. So a total of 13 tbsp butter and 4 tbsp coconut oil.
I used two full eggs and added 2 tbsp of almond butter. They are delicious!
Made these today for the first time. I added more brewers yeast, made it 2 full eggs and added some peanut butter. Really tasty, hope they help boost my supply since I’m trying to feed twins. I have to hide them though so my daughter doesn’t eat them all, when a picky 3 year old loves them you know it’s a winning recipe.
I want to cut down the sugar in the next batch though so I dont feel so guilty eating so many. And I plan to add nuts, maybe some ground almonds or something. Love that this recipe is so easily altered.
Anyone else have issues with tummy upset after eating these? Maybe the brewer’s yeast?
Belly problems can be a side effect of Brewers yeast. I personally haven’t had an issue with it, but fenugreek does the same to my belly and my babies. I wouldn’t eat anything with it if it causes you problems! Lots of other things that help supply. Actually protein is the most important, at least that’s what my lactation consultant said!
How long can these be stored in the freezer? Thank you!
I followed recipe exactly and my cookies are just patties I’m confused?!?!
Make it 2 large eggs. Me added 3 tbsp of water make it work. And came out well too 😊 goodluck
I made these today and they are so yummy! I followed the recipe as is, except I did 1 teaspoon of cinnamon instead of half a teaspoon of cinnamon. Love them!
good site thanks for sharing
Just wanted to say I’ve been making these for years- found them when I had my kiddo two years ago and I’ve made them a bunch of times. These cookies plus a bottle of champagne is my standard ‘new mama’ gift! I get compliments every time I make them. I follow the recipe as is and I’ve never had any issues. They’ve been helpful for supply and they’re my go-to midnight nursing snack along with a big glass of water. The dough is much more crumbly than a typical cookie dough, but they bake just fine. They freeze well and the recipe makes a big batch, so I usually bake all of them and freeze half. Thanks for a great recipe!
I’m embarrassed to say that the first batch I made, I totally ate them all by myself! These cookies are just plain addictive. I made these while nursing my son about 2 years ago and my Hubbie eats just as many of them as I do. So if you’re looking for a cookie that will not just help increase your milk flow but a tasty treat as well. Look no further, these cookies are just that good. Since I’m not a fan of chocolate, I added raisins, craisins and nuts instead.
Now that I’m nursing again it’s my go to recipe to help with milk production. I think it takes about 4 cookies or so before I noticed the increase in my milk production.
I’ll be the first to say, don’t feel guilty or shame if you find yourself just craving another cookie after have 2 or 3…
Enjoy, enjoy!
I followed the recipe exactly and it turned out perfect. I didn’t have any of the too crumbly or dry problems I’m seeing here. My only complaint is that I’m just not a fan of Brewers yeast… but that can’t be helped. That being said, despite my personal taste issue, the cookies are delicious. The recipe is designed well, cookies are moist and delicious, and have helped my supply.
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I just made a batch and the dough didn’t stick together, I’m probably going to change the recepie next time, it needs more liquid of some sort.
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These are incredible!!! I’m a first time Mom with a 12 day old. I meant to make these before going into labor, but our baby came early. Just made them this afternoon – so glad I did! Wow, beyond delicious!!!
Anyone have the nutritional information on these cookies?
I used used Bobs GF 1 to 1 BAKING flour, and these turned out great. Thanks!
Where did everyone find brewers yeast? Can I use regular yeast?
Yes you can use regular yeast. But since we used regular yeast we put less- 2 tablespoons instead of 3
I just bought some at Whole Foods today.
GNC sells it if you can’t find it at another store
I actually bought the brewers yeast at our local brew shop. Where people go for homebrew and homemade wine supplies.
You can get it from a home brew shop. they sell it in bulk too making it cheaper. I got some from Woolworths but it was only little sachets and made it expensive
I ordered some on amazon! The package also came with another yummy lactation cookie recipe on it.
SOOO delicious! My daughter made them for me and they turned out a beatiful golden brown. At my request she added chopped almonds and the added a nice crunch. Will definitely ask her to make them again!
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I was looking for ways to increase my milk supply and my best friend told me about this recipe. I has many of the ingredients that I’ve read help with increasing mil production. The bonus is, these cookies are amazingly good!
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How many cookies do you suggest eating at a time and how often? I just made these for a gal who’s baby was born 12 weeks early is in NICU. She is trying to pump so she can give him breastmilk but isn’t having much luck! Hopefully these help!
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I made it yesterday. It turned out soooooo gooooood! It tastes delicious! I cant stop eating it! Today i brought it to office to enjoy eating it while working ✔
Very good! Made with 2 whole eggs. Added 30 gr peanut butter ans replaced brewers yeast with almond flour (coz i cant find em in my country) .. reduced sugar by about 3 Tbsp
.. yumssss. Made so many cookies out of this one recipe – 18 cookies (1 Tbsp size) and 32 cookies (1/2 Tbsp size).
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I have made these. they are so yummy. the whole family eats them. My husband jokes saying they are boobie biscuits so our son wont eat to many lol. I add sultanas too them, very nice
These are amazing!!! I’ve tried a few other lactation cookie recipes and liked them all, but after making these, I’ll never use any other recipes because these are absolutely delicious! I made mine with dried cranberries and typically eat a few for breakfast and then take some to work for a snack. The first time I made them, I couldn’t stop eating them and kept weighing myself to make sure I wasn’t gaining a bunch of weight from eating to many cookies.
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These are delicious! I followed the recipe exactly and used white chocolate morsels! So delicious! No problems with the Dough not sticking together when I used the ice cream scoop. I have tried another recipe by someone else and they were terrible…. these aren’t!
what kind of brewer’s yeast did you use? is it the debittered one? i’m just confused what to buy in amazon. thanks
I get the debittered yeast by Lacatation Mama.
I have been making these cookies for over a year now and I love them so much so I have to send a huge thank you to you! They helped me with my daughter and are my standard homemade delivery to new moms :) I will say that while I was breastfeeding there was a 6 month period where I was avoiding milk/dairy since we thought my daughter may have a milk/soy protein intolerance or food allergy. This is very common now a days so I wanted to share with other moms out there my recipe modifications in case you are in need. You can sub the butter for Earth’s Balance Dairy Free, Soy Free butter and the chocolate chips for Enjoy Life Choc. Chips (rice milk or dark chocolate) as these are top 8 allergen free. These cookies are amazing and I am forever grateful. I always make a batch half baked and half frozen for my new mom friends and then print the recipe and include all of the phone numbers and names of people who helped me through my first year in case they are ever too nervous to ask (i.e. lactation consultants, women’s health nurse practitioners, women’s physical therapists, etc.). Props to all the moms out there just doing their very best!!
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Do you have a sugar free version?
My mom made these for me & they are amazing! I can’t even taste the brewer’s yeast. Also, instead of cookies, she made them in a pan, so they’re technically lactation bars, & they turned out great as far as the texture went. They hold together just fine & aren’t dry or crumbly. So delicious!
I live at a high altitude so I used 2 sticks of butter and extra oil (used virgin olive oil) and 2 whole eggs. Perfect consistency. The brewers yeast is to strong so I need to cut out a scoop. My son loves them and he’s picky.
I made these cookies this afternoon. Added 8 Tbsp of brewers yeast instead of 5, also added chopped walnuts. They came out delicious!! I’ll be making these many more times! Thank you!
Hi! Made this recipe and I love it! Just wondering if you had any nutritional information or if you had a recommended daily intake for them? Like recommended 2 per day and that would be 200 calories (for example). Thank you! They are delicious!
Awesome cookies that work for me!
I make these every week now. I make about 16, then keep the rest of the dough in the fridge. I bake them every other day. My husband eats more of them than I do!!
I use more flax and yeast than is called for in the recipe. It does give it a little aftertaste, but the benefits outweigh that taste. I also use all butter, triple the cinnamon, 1 bag of coconut, and a handful or two of nuts. I prefer the walnuts to pecans, but it’s whatever I have on hand.
Is the butter supposed to be softened? I assume so since that’s how you make most cookies but I’m hesitant to bake these without knowing first.
Made them today and they turned out great! Added an extra tbsp of brewers yeast and 1 tbsp of fenugreek (broke up about 12-15 capsules). I also cut out 1/2 cup of sugar and did 1/4 regular sugar and 3/4cup apple sauce (no added sugar version) to lessen the sugar overall. Next time I will add more Cinnamon and another tbsp of sunflower lecithin or flaxseed and nuts. Let’s see if they work! I have issues with very low supply so fingers crossed.