These cookies are set to help, promote and maintain milk supply for breastfeeding mothers. And they taste well, too.
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Recently, the home of The Orange Bakers was blessed with a new baby girl. This has dramatically changed our routine, our sleeping patterns — which now, are virtually non-existent, and our lives in general. We are incredibly happy and enjoy every single second with our little princess. We have been introduced to a flood of diapers, new sounds as cries and coos, and feedings. We feed her breast milk as much as we possibly can. And I do what I can to help, including baking cookies that may have a positive effect on her supply of breast milk.
Importance
Everybody knows about the significant benefits of breast milk for newborns: for the immune system, growth and development. Studies indicate that certain ingredients have a positive effect on breastfeeding. My wife mentioned that there is such a thing as lactation cookies. These cookies have the ingredients added that have this effect. I haven’t found a direct scientific link between the cookies and the effects on breast milk, but I thought it could not hurt to try.
The ingredients in question, are these:
- Brewer’s yeast -the same that is used for beer -contains iron, protein, various vitamin B’s, chromium and selenium.
- Flax seeds contain necessary fats and enzymes that help promote lactation.
- Oats contain fiber, iron, protein and complex carbs. They also add a different texture and a different flavor.
- Wheat germ for zinc. It helps prevent cracked nipples and post-partum depression
All ingredients are available in well-stocked grocery stores. When you collect them, it helps to look for the brewer’s yeast that is advertised as ‘less bitter’, as this will drastically reduce the bitter aftertaste. And you can absolutely share. Because of these healthy characteristics, these are not just healthy for mommy, but for the rest of the family as well.
If you are in the position to have to need to bake the cookies, congratulations! And please share in the comments if you like them, and they worked for you!
Lactation Cookies
Ingredients
- 2.5 cups old-fashioned oats
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup butter softened
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup water
- 1/4 cup brewer's yeast
- 1 tbsp wheat germ
- 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp cream of tartar
- 3 egg yolks
Instructions
Utensils
- Stand mixer
- Baking sheets, parchment paper
- Large bowls, small bowls
- Scale
- Table spoon or ice scoop
Preparation
- Preheat the oven to 350°F/175°C. Place parchment paper on two baking sheets.
- Place the flax seeds in a bowl with the 1/4 cup of water to soak. It will turn into a moist paste in about 5 minutes.
- Combine butter and both sugars in the large mixing bowl of the stand mixer, until creamy. Add the egg yolks one by one, and add the vanilla extract and flax seeds.
- In a separate bowl, mix the flour, brewer's yeast, wheat germ, baking soda, salt and cream of tartar and make sure they are well mixed.
- Turn the mixer to a low setting. Add the dry-ingredient mixture to the wet mixture in thirds, to prevent the mixture from blowing out of the bowl too much. Mix until incorporated.
- Scoop small balls of dough of the bowl with a spoon, ice cream scoop or your hands. Place on the baking sheet with about 2 inches between them as they will spread a little bit.
- Bake for 10-14 minutes, until the edges are golden. Don't over bake, as this will make the cookies bitter.