healthful gluten-free lactation cookies;
Don’t let the name lactation cookies fool you—these healthful cookies are for everyone! These healthful chocolate chip cookies are chock full of vitamins, minerals, and whole grains that make them a great sweet treat. Some people swear by lactation cookies to help breastfeeding mothers increase their milk supply, but honestly? They just taste damn good as a healthful take on a classic chocolate chip cookie. So just make them already!
The name “lactation cookies” refers to included ingredients that can help increase milk supply in breastfeeding mothers. This claim comes mostly from anecdotal evidence, but in general, eating a nutritious and balanced diet and getting enough calories are important keys to success with breastfeeding. In particular, natural ingredients like garlic, brewer’s yeast, fenugreek, flax seeds, or oats are considered galactagogues, which can help a mother’s milk supply. This recipe for gluten-free lactation cookies uses oats, flax seeds, and brewer’s yeast (all gluten-free) from this list, and make one delicious cookie.
These cookies help lactating mothers with their milk supply, but honestly they just taste good as a healthful take on a chocolate chip cookie–for anyone.
Secret to success
That said, just because these galactagogues anecdotally help lactating mothers, doesn’t mean that everyone can’t enjoy them. All it means is the ingredients are chock full of nutrients and minerals and hearty grains, so they’re a healthful cookie by any standard!
Oats are a pantry staple these days, and I’ve used flax seeds before in smoothies and to make my gluten-free graham crackers. But brewer’s yeast was a new ingredient I’d never used before. It’s a yeast that’s often used to make beers hence “brewer’s”. Brewer’s yeast contains nutrients like B vitamins, protein, iron, selenium, and chromium which make it desirable as a nutritional supplement—again, not exclusive to lactating mothers. Anyone can benefit from all of these nutrients. When selecting your brewer’s yeast, if you have gluten sensitivity make sure you look for a brand that is certified gluten-free. Not all brands of brewer’s yeast are gluten-free.
If you have gluten sensitivity, make sure you look for a brand that is gluten free. Not all brands are gluten free.
Secret to success
For this recipe, I started with this lactation cookie recipe from all recipes. But it needed a few tweaks for my kitchen. First, I excluded the wheat germ as it’s not gluten-free. “Wheat” in the name should be a key. If you don’t need to keep these gluten-free, feel free to add in 1/2 Tbsp wheat germ. Notice that the original recipe calls for 1 Tbsp but I decided to cut down the recipe. My recipe still makes 24 cookies which in my opinion is a solid batch size.
One of the things that makes these lactation cookies so amazing is their soft texture. A smaller batch means they will last longer in their soft, pillowy state instead of drying out. I’d rather make a smaller batch and enjoy all the cookies thoroughly than compromise the texture after a week or so! Besides, there’s nothing stopping you from making another batch.
The almond flour keeps the cookies soft, enhances the flavor profile, as well as adding extra nutrients and antioxidants to your lactation cookies.
Secret to success
I also used a blend of gluten-free flour paired with just a touch of almond flour. The almond flour gives another dimension to the cookies, helping with that soft texture, a subtle nutty flavor, and adding more nutrients like antioxidants.
Other than a few special ingredients, these cookies are a breeze to make, and I rank them up there with traditional chocolate chip cookies. So why wouldn’t you make these gluten-free lactation cookies and reap all the healthful benefits? Now here’s a chocolate chip cookie you can feel good about eating!
secrets to success;
Want all the best tips and tricks to make this recipe a success? Check out the blog post above to find out more!
more recipes;
- One of my favorite lightened-up dishes is this healthful protein-packed pasta alfredo. With a double dose of protein, and a special ingredient in the sauce, this recipe is twice as filling and light on the calories!
- Harissa bulgur rice pilaf is not a gluten-free recipe, but if you’re looking for a new whole grain to add to your diet, this is a smash hit side dish! For a gluten-free side dish, check out this sweet corn mochi cornbread~
- For a 15-minute meal packed with veggies, Asian-inspired flavors, and a perfect weeknight meal, try this egg roll in a bowl!
lactation cookies;
Ingredients
- 1 Tbsp ground flaxseed
- ½ cup butter softened
- ½ cup white sugar
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 2 Tbsp + 1 tsp water
- ¾ cup flour (I used measure-for-measure gluten free flour)
- ¼ cup almond flour
- ⅛ cup brewer's yeast (⅛ cup = 2 Tbsp)
- 1 egg
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp cream of tartar
- 1¼ cups old-fashioned oats
- 1 cup chocolate chips
Instructions
- Add ½ cup softened butter to a large bowl. Add in 1 Tbsp ground flaxseed, 1 Tbsp ½ cup white sugar, and ¼ cup brown sugar and cream together until evenly combined.
- Add in one egg, 1 tsp vanilla, 2 Tbsp + 1 tsp water and mix together.
- Add in dry ingredients: 1 cup flour, ⅛ cup brewers yeast (⅛ cup = 2 Tbsp), ½ tsp baking soda, ¼ tsp salt, ¼ tsp cream of tartar, and 1¼ cups old fashioned oats. Stir together until evenly combined.
- Scoop out 2 Tbsp of dough and roll into a ball. Place 2 inches apart onto a baking sheet. Repeat with remaining dough.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes at 350°F or until edges of the cookies are golden. Remove from the oven and allow to cool.
