Lactation Brownies are an easy dessert that helps increase milk production with added ingredients like coconut milk, Brewer’s yeast, and oatmeal!
Lactation Brownies
I’m going to start off by saying that Lactation Brownies aren’t something I ever dreamed I’d be putting on my blog. But here we are and I’m not sorry.
Thanks to a handful of extra ingredients, these fudgy Lactation Brownies are not only delicious but can result in increased milk supply.
Let me say that I am not a medical professional and if you have serious concerns about your milk supply, please seek out a lactation consultant to make sure there isn’t a larger issue.
Also, please note that lactation treats or food of any kinds have not been scientifically proven to increase supply.
However, since I started eating one brownie per day, along with my oatmeal in the morning (this is the kind I eat) and a blue Gatorade during the day, my milk production has doubled.
It started going up when I was eating my lactation cookies, but these brownies really pack a punch.
Maybe it’s a placebo effect… but I’m not complaining because in my case it has worked and I get brownies!
What Are Lactation Brownies?
In this case, they’re a box mix that’s been souped-up with a few additional galactagogues that have been said to help increase a mother’s milk supply.
When To Eat Lactation Brownies:
If you’re looking to increase your supply, lactation brownies could be a good option to try and do so. But I recommend speaking with a lactation consultant as well to make sure there isn’t a large issue.
In my case, I’m exclusively pumping so I’m able to measure how much milk I’m producing each day, unlike a mother who primarily nurses.
However, I don’t want to be attached to the pump forever, some days it feels like my life revolves around it.
So in my case, my goal was to create an oversupply to make a large freezer stash so I can stop pumping after a few months but still provide my daughter with breastmilk for several months after that.
How To Make Lactation Brownies
These lactation brownies are super easy to make and they are often referred to as emergency lactation brownies because they’re made from a box brownie mix.
You’ll begin with the box mix itself and then whatever amount of vegetable oil is called for and either 1 or 2 eggs depending on whether or not you want a fudgy or cake-like consistency.
You’ll also add a touch of vanilla and some chocolate chips if there aren’t any already in the box mix.
Next, we’re going to add in the magic stuff:
Coconut Milk – Replace any called for milk or water on the box with a 1/2 cup of coconut milk (in the carton, not the can). Coconut milk is very hydrating and will assist with milk production.
Old Fashioned Oatmeal – A lot of lactation consultants recommend adding oatmeal to your diet, usually as a breakfast, but it doesn’t hurt to sneak it into your dessert either.
Brewer’s Yeast – This stuff has tons of health benefits from nutritional value to helping fight the baby blues, read about them on Verywell Family!
Ground Flaxseed – Flaxseed has phytoestrogens that can influence breast milk production.
Collagen Peptides – Okay, so this product isn’t a milk supply booster, it’s more just another beneficial product for new moms. Collagen peptides contain the same amino acids as gelatin which is identical to the protein found in skin, nails, hair, bones, cartilage, and joints. I recommend taking this to help with postpartum hair loss.
How Fast Do Lactation Brownies Work?
In my case, I started noticing an increase in supply the next day, some say they work soon and other it takes a little longer.
Can You Freeze Lactation Brownies?
You sure can! Feel free to whip up a batch and put half in the freezer. Enjoy the first half for the next few days and when you run out, pull the others out and let them thaw on the counter before enjoying.
If you’re making these in advance, say before the baby even arrives, just so it’s one last thing you need to worry about, bake the brownies and let them cool. Slice and wrap the brownies individually in plastic wrap then put in a large freezer bag for up to 3 months.
So there you have it, an easy recipe for lactation brownies that will hopefully help boost your milk supply and be a welcome treat during the trying (but beautiful) baby stage.
Also, you burn 20 calories for every ounce of milk you express, so you can feel a little less guilty about indulging!
Lactation Brownies
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Lactation Brownies
Ingredients
- 1 box Fudge Brownie Mix*
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil or according to box directions
- 1/2 cup coconut milk
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup old fashioned oatmeal
- 1/4 cup brewer's yeast
- 1/4 cup collagen peptides
- 2 tablespoons ground flaxseed
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup chocolate chips*
Instructions
- Preheat oven according to package directions.
- In a large mixing bowl, mix together all ingredients until fully combined. Pour brownie batter into a 9x9-inch baking dish and bake according to package directions.
Notes
- Choose whatever boxed brownie mix you'd like. I've made this recipe with 5 different varieties, all with similar results.
- Do not add water.
- Coconut milk is the kind in the carton in the refrigerated section of the grocery store, not the canned kind.
- You can use 2 eggs instead of 1 if you prefer more cake-like brownies.
- Collagen peptides are optional.
- Chocolate chips can be omitted in box mixes that already have them in it.
- Coconut Milk - Replace any called for milk or water on the box with a 1/2 cup of coconut milk (in the carton, not the can). Coconut milk is very hydrating and will assist with milk production.
- Old Fashioned Oatmeal - A lot of lactation consultants recommend adding oatmeal to your diet, usually as a breakfast, but it doesn't hurt to sneak it into your dessert either.
- Brewer's Yeast - This stuff has tons of health benefits from nutritional value to helping fight the baby blues.
- Ground Flaxseed - Flaxseed has phytoestrogens that can influence breast milk production.
- Collagen Peptides - Okay, so this product isn't a milk supply booster, it's more just another beneficial product for new moms. Collagen peptides contain the same amino acids as gelatin which is identical to the protein found in skin, nails, hair, bones, cartilage, and joints. I recommend taking this to help with postpartum hair loss.
Amanda says
Hey! Thanks for the recipe, I’m excited to try! Do you know if Almond Milk could be substituted for the coconut milk? I dislike coconut and read almonds and almond milk are also good for Lactation 🙂 thanks in advance!
Rebecca Hubbell says
Hi Amanda, you can’t taste the coconut milk if that’s a concern. The reason coconut milk is used is that it’s very hydrating. I’m not sure about almond milk and it’s benefits, but it absolutely can be used in the recipe. And there are still other beneficial ingredients in the brownies like oatmeal, Brewer’s yeast, and flax meal if the almond milk doesn’t add an extra boost 🙂
Amy says
Hi I tried these tonight and they burned on the top and didn’t cook on the inside? This happened to me twice! The smoke was billowing out of my oven and the top was completely black. I’ve been making brownies for 20+ years and this has never happened. I’m so bummed I’m so in need of the milk boost and a brownie is always a treat for mom. any thoughts on why this happened.
Rebecca Hubbell says
Hi Amy, I’m not sure as I’ve never experience this when making these brownies. What size pan did you make them in? Did you accidentally hit the broil button instead of bake?
Amy says
So…this morning the same thing happened to the cinnamon rolls I made and an error appeared on my oven so I guess I need a new oven. With that being said I can’t wait to try your brownies once I can use my oven again lol. Thanks for replying.
Dawn says
Hi, I can’t wait to try these! How many brownies do you need to eat daily to see an increase in supply?
Rebecca Hubbell says
Hi Dawn, I cut the 9×9 pan of brownies into 18 brownies and had two of those per day. You could cut them into 9 and do just 1 brownie if that’s easier for you. I just liked to have a treat around lunchtime and in the evening. I found that was enough to give me a boost, but more than that could mean a larger boost, but it means more calories too so you just have to figure out what works for you.
Dawn says
Great, thank you! And also, I made a batch of these already and they taste SO good!
Rebecca Hubbell says
So glad you are enjoying them! I’ll be posting my Lactation Cookies recipe next week!
VCole says
Hi! I’m making these for a friend. She’s not a new mom, so if I omit the collagen peptides, will it effect the recipe?
Rebecca Hubbell says
Not at all!
Eli says
What would happen if I used coconut milk in a can instead of a carton? It’s all we have. Thank you!
Rebecca Hubbell says
Hi Eli, it should still work fine, just make sure to mix the canned stuff up before measuring since it tends to separate when it sits for so long.
Beth says
In the recipe there are asterisks next to Fudge Brownie Mix and Chocolate Chips. I see that Chocolate Chips also have a hyperlink to a specific brand, but I don’t see what the asterisks are referencing.
Rebecca Hubbell says
Hi Beth, it indicates that there are notes related to that ingredient in the notes section 🙂
Josie says
Is it ok to use regular milk as in 2%?
Rebecca Hubbell says
Hi Josie, yes, you can use it in the recipe and the brownies will turn out fine. But you will lose the benefit of the coconut milk which is hydrating and helps with lactation.
Alli says
How do you think it would affect the recipe I’d coconut water was substituted? Trying to use what I already have in the house!😬
Rebecca Hubbell says
Hi Alli, I can’t say for certain because I’ve never tried it, but I think it will work just fine 🙂
Alana says
Are the nutritional facts for one brownie or the entire batch?
Rebecca Hubbell says
Hi Alana, the nutritional information is an estimate for each brownie when the pan is cut into 9 brownies. The final calories can vary based on the brand of ingredients you choose to use.
Kayla says
Best lactation recipe I’ve made so far! Thank you!
Rebecca Hubbell says
Yay, Kayla! I’m so glad you liked them and I hope they helped!
Stephanie says
Hi. If i wanted to replace the egg with vegan egg powder and the vanilla with vanilla powder do i have to increase the amount of liquid
Rebecca Hubbell says
Hi Stephanie, I’m not sure as I have never used those products. Sorry.
Kim Szostak says
I have triplets so increasing my milk supply for three has been extremely challenging. I am also 39 and have hypothyroidism. I was told that this is also why my milk supply is low. Using this brownie recipe has ABSOLUTELY increased my supply. The best part is that they taste good!
Rebecca Hubbell says
Woah, Kim, Congratulations! That’s a whole lot of work and I’m so glad this recipe has helped you boost your supply to feed your littles. Keep up the good work, mama! And thanks for leaving such a thoughtful comment!
Gabby says
Is regular yeast ok to use instead of brewers yeast?
Rebecca Hubbell says
Hi Gabby, I wouldn’t recommend it. baking yeast will grow a lot faster than brewers yeast which could cause the cookies to not bake properly.
Jen says
These are so good! I make them every week, omit the brewers yeast since I dont have any, and double the oats.
Maite Blanco says
This recipe is amazing! I actually had to decrease my brownie intake due to over supply. The taste is amazing. I makes mine with two eggs and they come out so think and moist!
Since it’s Fall I was wondering if this recipe would go well with a box of pumpkin bread? I plan to trying it. Any experience using these ingredients with other things besides brownies?
Thanks!
Rebecca Hubbell says
Hi there, I have used similar ingredients like the brewer’s yeast and flax meal in my lactation cookies recipe as well as some others. I would think it would be fine to add to a quick bread like pumpkin bread.
Amanda says
If I do not use the peptides, do I have to substitute or change anything with the recipe?
Rebecca Hubbell says
Nope, they can just be left out!
Sara says
Hey there! If my box brownie mix doesn’t require milk, do I just add the coconut milk anyways? Or do you mean to substitute whatever milk OR water it calls for?
Also, I like making brownie brittle (just really thin brownies, that you can snack on like chips throughout the day) do you think this would work for this recipe? My thoughts are that it might be too thick and will burn? Thanks in advance! I’m super excited to try them!
Rebecca Hubbell says
Hi Sara, yes, you will use the amount of vegetable oil indicated on the back of the brownie mix but you will add the 1/2 cup of coconut milk regardless. Do not add any additional ingredients indicated on the back of the box, just the ones listed in the recipe. Unfortunately, I don’t think this recipe will work well as a brittle becaues the oatmeal makes it really hearty.