Need to boost your breast milk production fast? Try these Lactation Brownies, an easy dessert that helps increase milk production with added ingredients like coconut milk, Brewer’s yeast, and oatmeal!
Lactation Brownies That Work!
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 an 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 kind have not been scientifically proven to increase supply.
I found this recipe during my second pregnancy a few years ago and it was so delicious that I’m making it again now that I’m postpartum with our third. I make it with GF Betty Crocker brownie mix and it still tastes delicious. I love the brownies straight out of the freezer, not too hard because I underbake them by a few minutes to keep them softer. I also love to make them for any new mom friends when I bring them a meal!
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 Them:
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. You’ll want to use the kind in the carton in the refrigerated section of the grocery store, not the canned kind. 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 help 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 They Work?
In my case, I started noticing an increase in supply the next day, some say they work soon and others 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.
Then, slice and wrap the brownies individually in plastic wrap then put them 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!
Variations & Substitutions
- Oat Milk – If you’re having trouble finding coconut milk, oat milk is a great substitute!
- Coconut Water – This is another great substitute for coconut milk.
- Cake-like Texture – You can use 2 eggs instead of 1 if you prefer more cake-like brownies.
- Process The Oats – If you don’t want the hearty texture the oats add, some readers have run the oats through a food processor before adding them to the mixture for a smoother final texture! I tried this too when making them for friends and I think if you’re up for the extra step – it’s totally worth it!
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Lactation Brownies
Ingredients
- 1 box Fudge Brownie Mix*
- ½ cup vegetable oil or according to box directions
- ½ cup coconut milk
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup old fashioned oatmeal
- ¼ cup brewer’s yeast
- ¼ cup collagen peptides
- 2 tablespoons ground flaxseed
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup chocolate chips*
Instructions
- Preheat oven according to package directions.
- If you don't want the hearty texture of the whole oats, run the oats through a food processor before adding them to the mixture for a smoother final texture! This is an optional step, but I think it's totally worth it!1 cup old fashioned oatmeal
- In a large mixing bowl, mix together all ingredients (including the oats – whole or processed) until fully combined. Pour brownie batter into a 9×9-inch baking dish and bake according to package directions.1 box Fudge Brownie Mix*, ½ cup vegetable oil or, ½ cup coconut milk, 1 large egg, ¼ cup brewer’s yeast, ¼ cup collagen peptides, 2 tablespoons ground flaxseed, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1 cup chocolate chips*
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.
Nutrition
Did You Make This Recipe?
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Comments & Reviews
Caitlyn Anthony says
I loved these and they seemed to work! But the brewers yeast made baby gassy :/ so I just make it without that! I don’t know if it still makes a difference without the yeast but regardless they are tasty!
Rebecca Hubbell says
Yes, the oatmeal and coconut are still helpful to production!
Jenny B. says
I found this recipe during my second pregnancy a few years ago and it was so delicious that I’m making it again now that I’m postpartum with our third. I make it with GF Betty Crocker brownie mix and it still tastes delicious. I love the brownies straight out of the freezer, not too hard because I underbake them by a few minutes to keep them softer. I also love to make them for any new mom friends when I bring them a meal!
Alexis says
Super yummy!! I only just made them and tried one brownie so I can’t say if they worked for my milk supply or not yet but flavor wise, they are delicious! What would the recommended serving amount be? I need to know because I would eat a whole pan lol!
Kat says
How can I make this less crumbly and moist? Mine came out crumbly, dry and too chocolatey. Help please.
Rebecca Hubbell says
What brand of brownie mix did you use?
Meg says
These brownies are amazing! I used Kodiak high protein oats for some extra protein and I baked them in cupcake tins to make 24 brownies @ 350° for roughly 25 mins. Delicious!
Zorea Converse says
does this work 11 weeks PP?
Rebecca Hubbell says
It should help, yes.
Nichole says
Only complaint is engorged alot because i cant stop eating them!
Katie says
Can I use gluten free brownie mix?
Rebecca Hubbell says
I have never tested it with a gluten free mix, but I think it should work just fine!
Sarah says
Yes you can🤗 I made them with the gluten free great value brownie mix yesterday and they turned out amazing 😊
Roma says
HI! I have a big pouch of brownie mix. How much of it should I use for this recipe? I’d like to try it soon. Thanks in advance.
Rebecca Hubbell says
This recipe uses a standard 18 ounce box mix.
Ealisha says
I tried this for the first time and was amazed!!! I thought for sure with all the added ingredients it would have a weird taste like most recipes I have tried. IT WAS SO GOOD! I blended the Oats for the more uniform texture and it’s now a desert staple while on my breastfeeding journey and maybe even after!
Anna says
I didn’t bother blending the oats (I’m lazy tbh) and instead of 1 cup of chocolate chips I did half of 1/2 cup chips walnuts. Fabulous!
Rebecca Hubbell says
I’m so glad you liked them!
Veronique says
Only had nutritional yeast on hands and subbed coconut milk with oatmilk and it was delicious. Brownies did not have the cheesy taste of nutritional yeast.
Baked 20 min in a 9×13″ pan, came out soft and fudgy.
Kathryn says
That’s what I did! ( Brewers yeast is hard to find locally)
Trinity says
Can I use a 9×13 instead of a 9×9?
Rebecca Hubbell says
It should fill a 9×13, but just note that they will be a lot thinner and the bake time will need to be reduced significantly.
Jesseca Salas says
This recipe turned out amazing!! I always like to make my brownies in cupcake pans and I was able to make 2 dozen with this batch! Only cooked them for 15 minutes at 350 degrees! Definitely going to be making these again and can’t wait to see how much this builds my milk supply!!
Rebecca Hubbell says
So glad you like them and I hope they help!
Tiffany says
I made these and used the 9 by 9 cooking time and so far I have added an extra 18 mins to them
Sam L says
Alrighty so I shouldn’t use it?
Rebecca Hubbell says
Correct, I wouldn’t use nutritional yeast in these.
Sam L says
Hello! I’m going to be making these & I was wondering if I could substitute brewers yeast for nutritional yeast? Does it have the same benefits?
Rebecca Hubbell says
They are very different, but especially the flavor. Nutritional yeast has a cheesy flavor where brewer’s yeast is much more bread in flavor.
Amber says
Do you think I could sub oat milk for the coconut milk? I’d prefer not to buy a whole half gallon just for this recipe. Thanks for your help!
Rebecca Hubbell says
Yes, oatmilk is the perfect substitute!
Cori says
I needed something different than the lactation cookies I’d made with my other 2 babies and these are fantastic! I processed the oats for a smoother texture and put them in a mini muffin pan for a “two bite” style. Only baked for 15 min. I ate 4 fresh out of the oven and had a 50% increase in milk production the next time I pumped! Delicious and effective.
Jessica Nguyen says
Can you leave out the collagen peptides if you don’t have it on hand or substitute it fo something else
Rebecca Hubbell says
You absolutely can leave them out!