Being a mom of a newborn baby is a lot of work. And if a breastfeeding mom has a low milk supply, how can can she increase breastmilk production? These tasty and nutritious lactation cookies work to boost milk supply. They're delicious cookies loaded with whole oats, dried apricots and almond flour. All the ingredients that help a nursing mom produce enough milk for her baby. These are the BEST lactation cookies!
I'M A NEW GRANDMA! Our family welcomed our first grandchild last week. We're all over the moon with joy! I'm lucky enough to help out the new parents. And keeping my daughter and son-in-law's refrigerator well stocked is high on my list.
A call with baby well wishes from my brother lead to a new recipe for my breastfeeding daughter. He shared his recipe for a batch of lactation cookies. Sounds kinda odd, but he developed this recipe for his own daughters when they breastfed their babies.
how do lactation cookies work?
Just how do lactation cookies work? They're made with healthy ingredients that are believed to boost milk production for a nursing mother.
Whole oats, almond flour and apricots are natural ingredients that contain common galactagogues. They help stimulate the breast milk supply.
Eating these cookies each day is a delicious way to help moms have enough breast milk. Especially during the early days of breastfeeding. The effectiveness of lactation cookies can vary from mom to mom.
Being a new mom is hard work. Having some of these delicious cookies is a tasty way to help increase breastmilk supply.
what do lactation cookies taste like?
Different from regular cookies, these wholesome snacks are a cross between a cookie and a scone. They're tender, craggy, moist and dense all at the same time.
They're not too sweet with just a touch of dark brown sugar and dotted with dried apricots. The oatmeal and almond flour add heartiness. Lightly spiced with cinnamon and vanilla, the cookies have a hint of citrus flavor from fresh orange juice.
This is the best lactation cookie recipe. New moms will love these cookies!
the common ingredients
The nutritious ingredients in these yummy cookies are readily available at most grocery stores.
- prepared oatmeal ~ Use rolled oats that are higher in fiber and protein than quick or instant oats.
- salted butter
- dark brown sugar
- large egg ~ High in protein and nutrient dense, eggs are an ideal ingredient in these cookies for breastfeeding moms.
- almond flour ~ Loaded with calcium and protein which is ideal for breastfeeding moms.
- dried apricots ~ Can increase the production of prolactin which tells the body to produce milk.
- orange juice
- baking powder
- vanilla extract
- cinnamon
- kosher salt
Scroll down to the recipe for full quantities or the ingredients.
the recipe details
New mamas will love this easy lactation cookies recipe. They're easy to make. And a great way to get a nutritional boost while trying to get a good milk supply for newborn babies.
The recipe starts off by making a batch of oatmeal. No matter what method used to cook the oatmeal, put it in a bowl so it can cool.
- Bring milk to a boil and add rolled oats and a pinch of kosher salt. Turn the heat down to medium low. Cook until the oatmeal is thickened, and the milk is absorbed.
- Alternately, use your microwave to cook the oatmeal. Put oats and milk into a bowl. Microwave on High for 2 minutes. Remove from the microwave and stir.
Next, preheat the oven and line 2 large baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
A standing mixer, large food processor or heavy duty blender work best for this recipe. Cream butter and dark brown sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg.
Then add the cooled oatmeal, almond flour and chopped dried apricots. Mix until combined. The batter will be lumpy.
Add the orange juice, baking powder, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and kosher salt and mix until combined.
Drop the cookie dough by heaping tablespoons on to the prepared baking sheets. The cookies don't spread much while baking. Place them about 1 inch or so apart on the baking sheet.
Bake for 22 to 26 minutes. The cookies should be firm to the touch and golden brown. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes before removing to a cooling rack.
tips and recipe suggestions
- Substitute chopped dates for the dried apricots. They also promote the production of breastmilk.
- Add chopped nuts to the cookie dough along with the dried fruit. Pecans, walnuts, pistachios, and almonds are also helpful in boosting breastmilk supply in mothers.
- Use parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to help the cookies bake evenly. Cleanup is also a breeze as the baking sheets won't be dirty after their use.
- Don't overbake the cookies. They'll become dry and more likely to fall apart.
how do you store lactation cookies
After cooling the cookies, they are best stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container (I love these meal prep containers) for up to 4 days. Then they are the tastiest when 2 cookies are heated in the microwave for 15 to 20 seconds.
The cookies also freeze well. Flash freeze the cookies on a parchment lined baking sheet. Then store in a resealable bag in the freezer for up to 1 month.
FAQs ~ the best lactation cookies
Anytime of the day is a good time to enjoy a lactation cookie. They're a delicious and nutritious snack between meals. Some nursing moms like to have a cookie break about an hour before breastfeeding or pumping. Also, some moms like a cookie before bed to help keep the milk supply up overnight. But consistency is the best practice so you can gauge how the cookies are working for you.
There's a few signs to help you know when the cookies are helping increase breast milk production. After eating a cookie or 2, you will notice you're producing more milk. Also your breasts may feel more full. You may find that you need to pump more frequently. And if your baby is gaining weight at a healthy rate, the cookies may be helping.
more healthy recipes for breastfeeding moms
Breastfeeding moms should eat a variety of nutrient-dense foods to support their health, the health of the baby and to boost milk supply. Lean meats, dairy, eggs, beans, lentils and seafood low in mercury such as salmon, cod and flounder. Give some of these recipes a try to be healthy parents of healthy babies.
Savory Egg, Sausage and Spinach Quinoa Breakfast Bowls
Crustless Spinach and Bacon Quiche Squares
Fresh and Healthy Spinach Blueberry Salad with Yogurt Dressing
Pecan Crusted Honey Mustard Salmon
Maple Glazed Pork Tenderloin with Sauteed Apples
just one more thing?
Did you make a batch of lactation cookies? I’d love hearing from you if you did!
Be sure to leave a comment. Or give this recipe a rating. I do my best to reply to all your comments. And snap a photo to post to Instagram. I’ll add the photos to my Insta stories. I love seeing all your creations.
Also check out my Facebook and Pinterest pages for lots of fabulous foodie stories, videos, cooking tips, and recipes. Sign up for my newsletter and never miss one of my new recipes.
Oatmeal, Almond and Apricot Lactation Cookies
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
Description
These tasty and nutritious lactation cookies work to boost milk supply. They're delicious cookies loaded with whole oats, dried apricots and almond flour. All the ingredients that help a nursing mom produce enough milk for her baby.
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups prepared oatmeal, cooled *See Note
- 1/2 cup salted butter, at room temperature
- 1/2 cup dark brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 2 1/2 cups almond flour
- 1 cup chopped dried apricots
- juice of 1/2 orange, about 2 tablespoons
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Line 2 large baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. Set aside.
- A standing mixer, large food processor or heavy duty blender work best for this recipe. Cream the butter and dark brown sugar until light and fluffy, about 2 to 3 minutes. Beat in the egg.
- Add the cooled oatmeal, almond flour and chopped dried apricots. Mix until combined. The batter will be lumpy.
- Add the orange juice, baking powder, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and kosher salt and mix until combined.
- Drop the cookie dough by heaping tablespoons on to the prepared baking sheets. They don't spread much while baking. Place them about 1 inch or so apart on the baking sheet.
- Bake for 22 to 26 minutes. The cookies should be firm to the touch and golden brown. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes before removing to a cooling rack.
Notes
How to make oatmeal ~ Bring 2 1/2 cups of milk to a boil and add 1 1/4 cups rolled oats and a pinch of kosher salt. Turn the heat down to medium low. Cook until the oatmeal is thickened and the milk is absorbed. Or use your microwave to cook the oatmeal. Put oats and milk into a bowl. Microwave on High for 2 minutes. Remove from the microwave and stir. Remove the oatmeal to a bowl so they cool.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: dessert
- Method: bake in oven
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 96
- Sugar: 5.7 g
- Sodium: 138 mg
- Fat: 6.5 g
- Saturated Fat: 3.1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2.2 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg
Kylee
These cookies are so good. I'm not lactating (and neither are my kids) but we loved the flavor of these with the apricots!
Amy Casey
I agree! They're delicious cookies on their own.
veenaazmanov
Perfect gift for nursing mothers. This is such a healthy and awesome recipe to try. Made with all the healthy ingredients. Thanks for a unique and a must save recipe for sure.
Amy Casey
You're so welcome! I love the idea of gifting these yummy cookies to new moms. They can always use some help.
Sophie
The combination of oats, almonds, and apricots was perfectly balanced plus the instructions were clear and easy to follow!
Amy Casey
Thanks Sophie. The combo of ingredients is delish!
Erin
I made these for a new mom and she loved them! I picked your recipe because it didn't have any unusual ingredients. I kept a few for myself and they're so tasty. Thanks!
Amy Casey
That is the same reason I developed this recipe. I'm not a fan of buying an ingredient to use just in 1 recipe.
Dennis
I had no idea that cookies like this even existed. They sound delicious and would be a great help to nursing moms.
Amy Casey
I didn't either before doing a little research and becoming a new grandma. My daughter has a batch in her freezer and still enjoys them.
Sharon
I had no idea how these cookies worked, it's so great to know that these are easy to make. The perfect treat to bring a new mom.
Amy Casey
Yes! I love this as a gift to new moms.
Lori | The Kitchen Whisperer
Such a great read and article! So full of amazing information that is truly helpful! And yeah! Congratulations on being a grandma! Sharing with my expectant mothers and new Moms!
Amy Casey
Thanks so much Lori! Being a grandma is fabulous! And my daughter truly appreciated the cookies.
Nicole
I had lactation cookies during both pregnancies and they do work. I do recommend them to maintain healthy supply.
Amy Casey
That's so good to hear Nicole. Thanks for sharing your experience.
Anna
My best friend is a new mum, and I baked these for her just the other day. She said they were absolutely delicious, and asked for the recipe so she can pass it on to all of her new-mum friends, as she's sure they will love it too!
Amy Casey
I love to hear that Anna. Thanks for passing my recipe along to new moms.