Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies (lactation cookies) WFPB, Vegan
These healthier cookies are made of whole grain oats and flax seed, and are low-sugar and lower fat than most. They are a yummy treat for anyone, but are also helpful for nursing moms to keep their energy and milk supply up in the convenient way of a freezer bag full of cookies.
Servings 50 small cookies
Ingredients
- 2 cups oat flour (2 cups rolled oats blended in blender until fine)
- 2 cups rolled or quick oats
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup plant milk
- 4 TBSP ground flax seed, mixed in 1/3 cup water
- 1 cup lightly packed brown sugar or coconut sugar (use 1.5 cups for sweeter, more traditional)
- 1 cup runny natural peanut butter (tahini or almond butter is also delicious, or replace with applesauce for lower fat)
- 2 tsp vanilla
- 1.5 cups dairy-free chocolate chips or mini chips
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
- 1 cup shredded coconut (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 and prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
- Mix the flax seed with the water in a small cup or bowl. Set aside.Mix dry ingredients (except sugar) together in a large bowl--the oat flour, oats, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
- Mix peanut butter, milk, flax "eggs", vanilla and sugar together, and then pour into dry ingredients and mix.
- Stir in chocolate chips and walnuts (if using).
- Form cookie balls of desired size (I use a cookie scoop), and press with fingers to flatten as they won't spread.
- Bake for 10-13 minutes, until golden brown on the edges and firm to the touch.
- These freeze well in a zipped bag, and thaw in the microwave for a few seconds for warm cookies as good as fresh.
Notes
Instead of peanut butter, you could use cashew butter or almond butter, or coconut oil or sun butter for a nut-free alternative.
Instead of brown or coconut sugar, you could probably use date paste, honey, or maple syrup. I haven't tried it but think it would work fine.
You can get by with 1 cup of sugar. Still really good, just less sweet.
For low fat, replace peanut butter 100% with equal amount of applesauce. Results in less chewy/softer cookies, but still super yummy.
Add 1/2 cup almond flour for more fat, which creates a chewier cookie! Delicious.
