The Best Lactation Brownies
These chewy chocolatey Lactation Brownies are perfect for breastfeeding moms that may need a boost in supply. Easy to make and filled with ingredients that may help with lactation support. These brownies are great for all new moms, are great sent in a meal train and they are freezer-friendly!
Medically reviewed and co-written by Jamie Johnson, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN).
Lactation Brownies
Are you breastfeeding but need a little boost in supply? Are you a new mom looking for a sweet treat to help keep your energy up during those long sleepless nights?
Then, these brownies are for you!
Chewy, chocolaty and extremely delicious – these brownies are simply the best! This one-bowl recipe is easy to make and filled with ingredients that will support lactation for those breastfeeding mommas.
Bonus! These brownies can be made ahead of time and stored in the freezer, which makes them a great treat to prep before your baby comes or sent along with a meal train meal.
Want more recipes? You can also check out my best-selling cookbook for even more information and recipes!
Lactation Brownie Video
Watch this video to see how easy it is to make these Lactation Brownies!
Reasons to Love these Brownies for Lactation Support
- chewy, chocolatey and delicious
- customize with favorite add-ins
- cut to size – bite-size or regular
- may help with breast milk supply
- made in one bowl
- nut-free
- can be made gluten-free
- freezer-friendly
Ingredients
Before we get to the full recipe below, here are a few notes about the ingredients that you will need to make this lactation brownie recipe:
- Flour: for these brownies, you can use all-purpose, white whole wheat, store-bought oat flour or a gluten-free one-for-one blend. For an extra boost in lactation support, I would recommend using store-bought oat flour.
- Cocoa Powder: unsweetened natural cocoa powder is needed for this recipe.
- Chocolate Chips: I used a combination of semi-sweet and dark chocolate chips, but you can use whichever chocolate chips you prefer or have on hand.
- Brewer’s Yeast: one of the ingredients needed to make these help with lactation, ground brewer’s yeast can be bought at any health food store or online. You only need a small quantity in recipes, so a package lasts a while.
- Ground Flax Seeds: another great ingredient to add for lactation support is ground flax seeds are added in this recipe. I used ground golden flax seeds, but you can also use regular ground flax seeds as well.
- Butter, Olive or Coconut Oil: feel free to use butter, olive oil or coconut oil in this recipe depending on your preference. The amount will stay the same for all three options.
- Sugar
- Eggs
- Vanilla Extract
- Baking Powder
- Salt
- Flaky Salt: I like to add a pinch of flaky Maldon Sea Salt to the top of my brownies to balance out the sweetness, but this is optional.
Ingredients that May Increase Milk Supply
Certain foods may help support your milk supply, though there is very limited scientific evidence to prove this due to a lack of studies, despite them being used by women for centuries to help with lactation. You may want to add these to your diet to see if they help, but in moderation. Always consult your provider with any questions.
Oats: Oats contain fiber, iron, magnesium, zinc and other nutrients that nursing mothers need. Beta-glucan is a special type of fiber that can increase the hormone prolactin, which allows the breasts to make milk. Oats are also high in iron, which can have a negative impact on breastfeeding if mom is not getting enough.
Ground Flax Seeds: Flax seeds contain phytoestrogens that can help increase milk production. They also contain calcium, magnesium and zinc needed for breastfeeding.
Brewer’s Yeast: Brewer’s yeast contains protein, B vitamins, iron and chromium, which are all needed to support lactation. Don’t confuse it with nutritional yeast, which is a very different product!
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prep: preheat the oven and line a 9×9 baking pan with parchment paper or spray with a cooking spray.
- Melt: In a large microwave-safe mixing bowl: place the butter and 1/2 cup chocolate chips. Heat in the microwave in 30-second intervals until the butter and chocolate chips are melted, stirring between intervals.
- Mix: add in the sugar and whisk. Let cool for 5-10 minutes.
- Add Ingredients: add in the eggs, egg yolk and vanilla and whisk vigorously for 60 seconds.
- Add Dry Ingredients: add in the flour, cocoa, ground flax seeds, brewers yeast and salt, and gently fold together. You do not want to overmix.
- Add Chocolate Chips: add in more chocolate chips into the brownie batter and gently fold them together. You do not want to overmix.
- Pour: pour the brownie batter into your baking dish and sprinkle with the remaining chocolate chips.
- Bake: place the baking dish in the oven and bake. Sprinkle with flaky salt (if using). Let cool for 2-3 hours before cutting.
Helpful Tools
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! You can make these ahead of time and keep them in an air-tight container on the counter for up to a week or in the freezer for up to 2 months.
Adding in brewer’s yeast is optional, but it is one of the ingredients that can help with lactation support. So by leaving it out, you are not getting those benefits.
Results will vary from person to person but generally, you should notice a difference within 1-2 days of consuming them. They may not work for everyone but there’s no harm in trying.
How to Store & Freeze Lactation Brownies
Store
Once cool and cut, you can store these brownies in an air-tight container on the counter for up to a week.
Freeze
These brownies are freezer-friendly. Place cooled and cut brownies into an air-tighter container or freezer bag and place in the freezer for up to 2 months. You can either eat them frozen (so good during the hot summer months) or you can reheat in the microwave for 20-30 seconds.
Favorite Add-Ins
While I think these brownies are perfect as-is, feel free to customize these brownies for your tastes (and cravings;). Here are some fun add-ins to consider:
- chopped walnuts, pecans or almonds
- white chocolate chips
- peanut butter or almond butter swirl on top
- mini marshmallows
- sprinkles
- crushed pretzels
- crushed Oreos or another fave cookie
- toasted shredded coconut
Recipe Tips
- Do not overmix: be careful to only fold in the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until just incorporated so that the brownies hold their form and don’t get too hard or chewy.
- Mix Sugar and Eggs: you want to make sure you vigorously whisk the eggs into the butter/sugar as this will make you get shiny brownie tops.
- Line Baking Pan: to make sure the brownies do not stick to the pan, then be sure to line your baking pan with parchment paper. I also spray my parchment paper and any areas where the brownies might touch the pan.
- Sift Dry Ingredients: I know it’s one extra step, but I recommend sifting the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients. This allows any lumps or bigger pieces of flax seeds to stay out of your brownies.
Or watch the shortened video here.
Get the recipe: The Best Lactation Brownies (freezer-friendly)
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter room temperature or cold
- 1 1/2 cup chocolate chips, divided, semi-sweet or dark chocolate
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 large egg yolk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2/3 cup all-purpose flour, gluten-free one-for-one blend or oat flour
- 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 tbsp ground flax seeds
- 2-3 tbsp brewers yeast powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- pinch flaky salt, optional
Instructions
- Prep: preheat your oven to 350°. Line a 9×9 baking pan with parchment paper or spray with a cooking spray.
- Melt: In a large microwave-safe mixing bowl: place the butter and 1/2 cup chocolate chips. Heat in the microwave in 30-second intervals until the butter and chocolate chips are melted, stirring between intervals. I had to heat mine for 90 secnods.
- Mix: add in the sugar and whisk vigorously for 60 seconds, you want to incorporate as much sugar into the butter as possible, there will still be some visible sugar. Let cool for 5-10 minutes.
- Add Ingredients: add in the eggs, egg yolk and vanilla and whisk vigorously for 60 seconds. This is what will give the brownies a shiny top.
- Sift Dry Ingredients: in a fine mesh colander, add the flour, cocoa, ground flax seeds, brewers yeast and salt, and gently sift into the wet ingredients.
- Add Dry Ingredients: gently fold together the wet and dry ingredients. You do not want to overmix.
- Add Chocolate Chips: add in 3/4 cup of the chocolate chips into the brownie batter and gently fold them together. You do not want to overmix.
- Pour: pour the brownie batter into your baking dish and sprinkle with the remaining chocolate chips.
- Bake: place the baking pan in the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out with moist crumbs. Sprinkle with flaky salt (if using). Let cool for 2-3 hours, then take out the brownies by carefully lifting out the parchement paper and placing them on a cutting board. Cut into the size you prefer.
- Eat: serve and enjoy!
Notes
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