EDIBLE // MILK-MAKING COOKIES

Breastfeeding is something that is so severely personal from one mother to the next. It's wonderfully nurturing for many but at the same time not always an option.

 

I breastfed my twins for seven months. We also tried introducing solids to them at three months old (what did we know?!).  When I went back to work and was working two jobs I decided that I was being spread too thin and switched to pumping and supplementing. My daughter was exclusively breastfed until seven months at which point she demanded solids. She was breastfed until she self-weaned at 13 months.

 

When I find out that a girlfriend is pregnant I think of it as a time that one mother can nurture another. A time for companionship and camaraderie in a brand new way; an extra way to love someone. I love everything about pregnancy and motherhood. I love carrying a life in my body, I love the bump, I even love the sickness that some experience.

 

One of my favorite ways to love on a new mom is to deliver a giant batch of lactation cookies. They're fairly easy to make and absolutely delicious (breastfeeding or not) and really just make my heart sing. The purpose of these cookies is not to give someone on a "health kick" a boost. They're calorie-rich and have a secret ingredient that helps support a healthy milk supply. They're good from the moment labor begins until the day mom wants to be done producing milk.

 

The recipe I use is loose and open to translation. I've done it many different ways over the past couple years, each time learning something new. I'll try to share those tips with you along the recipe's way so you can make a big awesome batch of love for someone in your life, too.

 

Also, I make these ahead often and freeze them - works great, too!

 

You Need: 

1 C butter for a healthier option use coconut oil instead, I've done both and they're both fantastic

1 1/2 C brown sugar don't skimp here - these are for a new breastfeeding mom, she needs calories and sweet, sweet love

4 T water

2 T flaxseed meal aka ground flaxseed; can be found at any local health food store

2 eggs

1 t. vanilla

2 C flour I always use whole wheat

1 t. baking soda

1 t. salt

3 C old-fashioned oats thick cut and steel cut are fine, too

1 C chocolate chips/almonds/macadamia nuts/raisins whatever takes your fancy

6 T brewers yeast  not to be confused with bakers yeast or any other yeast

 

Preparation time is around 15 minutes.

• Preheat the oven to 350F.
• Mix together flaxmeal and water, set aside for 3-5 minutes. You're making a "flax egg"
• Cream butter/oil and sugar. Add eggs one at a time, mix well.
• Stir flaxseed mixture and add with vanilla to the butter mix. Beat until blended.
• Mix together dry ingredients, except oats and chips.
• Add to butter mixture. Stir in oats, then chips.
• Scoop or drop onto a greased or lined baking tray.
• Bake for 8-12 minutes, depending on size of cookies.
• ** This recipe makes heaps – depending on the size, you could end up with 5-7 dozen. Which is fine.

I hope you and your new/expecting mom frands enjoy this as much as I have! If you try it, leave me your thoughts below. I'd love to hear how you make it your own! xo