Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Lactation Cookies (+ giveaway!)

Now before anyone gets scared of this recipe title and runs away because “omg she said lactation” let me tell you: these cookies are delicious and not just for breastfeeding mamas. They are essentially an oatmeal chocolate chip cookie…just with a few extra ingredients to aid in milk production*!

(*IF you’re breastfeeding. These cookies will not cause you to start leaking every time you hear a baby cry, they’re not magic).

These secret magical ingredients are oatmeal, flax seeds and brewer’s yeast: oatmeal contains iron, flax seeds have phytoestrogens and brewer’s yeast is full of vitamins and minerals. I will be the first to admit, even being in the medical field (and also not being a mom) I don’t fully understand the science behind all of this, but just google “lactation cookies” and you’ll have hundreds of thousands of recipes. They’re totally a thing! And you know what? Even if they don’t work…oh well. Every new mom deserves some cookies.

These cookies come out like a chewy oatmeal cookie, nice and thick but not overly dense. The cinnamon and allspice counteract the slight bitterness of the brewer’s yeast and I think the addition of cocoa powder just takes them over the top. I obviously have to taste test one (or two. or three…) when I make a batch and trust me when I say these are not just for mom.

These have become my favorite gift to deliver when I go see a new baby. I like to bake half the batch now and then freeze the other half, but give mom both. That way she can make more cookies later on when she needs them. The best way to do this is place the balls of cookie dough on a parchment lined baking sheet and freeze, then put those into a freezer safe bag. Write the oven temperature and baking time on the outside of the bag, so literally all mom needs to do is pop these in the oven. Make it easy on her! We know four little boys being born this spring/summer, so I am definitely going to be making a big batch of these.

Now onto the giveaway part: we are giving away a KitchenAid mixer!

Yep, you read that right. We are giving away a KitchenAid stand mixer. Sure you don’t need a stand mixer to make delicious treats, but once you have one? You’ll never go back! I honestly don’t know how I ever survived without one. It just makes baking that much easier! And who doesn’t love easy.

Signing up for the giveaway is a piece of cake (ha. baking puns). I’m sure most of you already follow Long Distance Baking on Instagram and lucky you…you already have one entry into winning! Simply fill out the form and follow more bloggers below for more chances to win. Each additional blogger you follow is another entry into the drawing. Don’t have an instagram account? No problem. You can always make an account just for this giveaway and then never use it later. That’s what my mom does…she just uses hers to stalk my sister and I (hi mom!). All the details are below.

I hope you get a chance to enter the giveaway AND to make these cookies for someone! Trust me, they will love you! Scroll down below to find the recipe.

~Steph

Here are the details:

• 1 winner will receive a KitchenAid Artisan Series 5-Qt stand mixer in their choice of color. If the winner is from the continental U.S. they will receive the mixer directly. If the winner is from elsewhere, they will receive an Amazon gift card for the list price of the mixer.
• The giveaway will end on May 26, 2018 at 11:59 PM. Any entries made after this point will be invalid. A winner will be drawn at random and emailed within 72 hours to claim the prize. If no response is received, a new winner will be drawn.
• You must complete the mandatory Instagram follows as listed below in order to enter. You can complete additional Instagram follows as listed below to gain more entries. You may only enter with one Instagram account. If you enter using multiple account, all entries will be invalid.
• Giveaway is open worldwide, except where prohibited. You must be 18+ (21+ in some locations) to win. Chances of winning depend on the number of entries we receive.
• For a complete list of terms and conditions, please see the link below via the Rafflecopter giveaway widget.

Enter now:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

This giveaway is not sponsored by KitchenAid, Amazon, Instagram, or Facebook. The following bloggers have made this giveaway possible:

The PinterTest Kitchen • Shockingly Delicious • The Baking Fairy • Sweet + Savor • Makes, Bakes and Decor • Cindy’s Recipes and Writings • Blogghetti • The Simple Supper • Chef Sarah Elizabeth • Cheese Curd In Paradise • This is How I Cook • The Redhead Baker • Fix Me a Little Lunch • Moore or Less Cooking • Sarah Cooks the Books • The Spiffy Cookie • Busy Bee Kate • Missy’s Views and Savings Clues • Seasoned Sprinkles • Long Distance Baking • Jonesin’ For Taste • 2 Cookin Mamas • Karen’s Kitchen Stories • MyStyleSpot.net

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Lactation Cookies (adapted from Gillian Haas)

• 1 1/2 cups flour
• 1 tbsp cocoa powder
• 1 tbsp Brewer’s yeast
• 1 tbsp ground flaxseed
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp all spice
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 tbsp vanilla
• 2 eggs
• 1 1/2 cups oats
• 1/2 cup chocolate chips

1. In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, Brewer’s yeast, flaxseed, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon and all spice. Set aside.
2. Add softened butter and sugar into a separate mixing bowl, and beat with electric mixer (or stand mixer) until fully combined. Add vanilla and eggs, beat again.
3. Slowly add flour mixture into wet ingredients, beating just until incorporated.
4. Remove from mixer and stir in oats and chocolate chips by hand. Dough will be thick.
5. Scoop out by tablespoons onto a lined baking sheet, spacing 1 inch apart.
6. Bake 8-10 minutes at 350 degrees until edges are set. The middle may look underdone, but they will harden once cooled

TIP: Scoop by tablespoons onto lined baking sheet and freeze. Give new moms a bag full of frozen cookie dough balls so they can make more when needed! Or pre-make these cookies for yourself while you prep for baby! If baking from frozen, you’ll need to bake longer. I write the temperature and baking time (10-12 minutes if frozen) in sharpie on the bag so it is easy for them to remember.