Who would have thought that cottage cheese would make its comeback but it’s a good thing. Say what you’d like about cottage cheese, but it’s truly a winner in my books! Similar to Greek yogurt, it has a thick, creamy texture and can be enjoyed sweet or savoury. It’s also high in protein, making it the perfect secret ingredient in my protein ice cream. And for those of you who want to hop on the cottage cheese train but can’t get over the curd texture, this recipe is for you!
If you have the biggest ice cream craving, but you are trying to eat fewer carbs, this recipe is what dreams are made of. Cottage cheese gives it a deliciously creamy texture, while the strawberries and chocolate chips delight the taste buds.
You heard that right! Cottage cheese is all the rage these days. It’s a low-carb, high-protein, and super versatile ingredient. So you know, I had to go ahead and put my own spin on the latest viral trend: Cottage Cheese Ice Cream. This easy dessert recipe takes only 5 minutes to prep, and whether you are a fan of cottage cheese or not, I’m absolutely sure you are going to be obsessed.
Cottage cheese has gotten a makeover from when our grandparents ate it with pears or pineapple on top. (Remember that?) Growing up in the 1980s, cottage cheese had a bad rep. I think because it was associated with “diet” food. If you are like me – or most people- the texture of cottage cheese was just never appealing. But my, how things have changed. Cottage cheese is certainly having its moment right now. Thanks to social media, whipped cottage cheese is all the rage.
Its just as it sounds, cottage cheese that’s been blended or whipped to a light, fluffy consistency- similar to yogurt. It has a delightful mouthfeel, with a perfect blend of creamy, tangy, and a little salty.
It’s also pretty versatile and works well with a ton of ingredients, like fresh fruit and nuts, just to name a few. The possibilities for customising a humble pot of blended cottage cheese into your new favourite high-protein dessert are almost endless. Because cottage cheese is relatively low in carbohydrates, many who are on the keto diet or another low-carb eating plan are including it in their diets.
Cottage cheese is really good for you. Not only is it full of protein and packed with nutrients, but it is low in calories. About 80% of the protein in cottage cheese is casein, which is slowly absorbed by your body, and is ideally consumed before sleep for muscle synthesis. That makes cottage cheese the ideal evening snack. This cottage cheese ice cream has plenty of healthy protein, healthy fats and fibre as well as added vitamins and antioxidants, depending on what fruits and nuts you use as toppings.
To harness the true power of cottage cheese, you need to whip it. This goes especially for people – who believe they don’t like cottage cheese and I think the issue is related to texture. But when you give cottage cheese a trip through the food processor or blender, the textural conundrum goes away. All you are left with is a creamy, airy mousse like treat.
You could eat this for breakfast, as a snack or a healthy treat or dessert. I can’t wait to try another flavor though it would be hard to beat strawberry in my opinion. Sound too good to be true? It’s not! This frozen treat will satisfy those ice cream cravings without the guilt.
Why you will love this recipe:
Easy to make: You only need about 10 minutes of prep time to whip this up! Add all of the ingredients to your blender, blend, and then let the freezer do the rest of the work.
Delicious: Don’t worry if you are not a fan of cottage cheese, you can’t taste it at all. This turns out perfectly cold and creamy with incredible fruity flavor.
Customizable: Get creative and add any favorite toppings or fold in different ingredients.
Higher protein content means portion control. I find this homemade protein cottage cheese ice cream to be so thick and rich, a small portion goes a long way. Plus, with over 20 grams of protein per serving, it doesn’t spike your blood sugar and will satisfy that ice cream craving.
There are so many ways to customize this cottage cheese ice cream! Don’t be afraid to get creative with it, as there are so many ways to enjoy this high-protein dessert. Here are some ideas to get you started:
Fruit: Strawberries are not required for this recipe. Blueberries, raspberries, mangos, pineapple or peaches would all taste delicious. You could do an assortment of fruits for maximum flavor! You can also use dried or freeze-dried fruit for a hit of intense flavour.
Nuts & Seeds: Add in or top with chopped nuts or seeds like hemp or sesame.
Nut Butter: Add in a spoon of nut butter or drizzle on top for a decadent touch.
You will be delighted when you see it just takes minutes to make this rich, silky, smooth, strawberry ice cream that will instantly make your list of favourites. If you flavor it properly, you will never miss ice cream again!
You could eat this for breakfast, as a snack or a healthy treat or dessert. I can’t wait to try another flavor though it would be hard to beat strawberry in my opinion.
Strawberry Chocolate Chip Ice Cream (Viral Protein-Rich Dessert!)
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups cottage cheese, full fat for creamiest texture (or half in half with thick Greek-style yogurt)
- 2 cups strawberries, fresh or frozen
- 1 banana, sliced, frozen
- 1/4 cup honey or maple syrup
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips
- 1/4 cup protein or collagen peptides powder
Instructions
- Place cottage cheese and banana into a food processor and process until smooth and creamy. Add honey and strawberries and process until well combined but some chunks remain. Add chocolate chips and pulse a couple of times to combine. Taste and adjust sweetness if necessary since this also depends on the natural sweetness of your fruit.Remove the ice cream mixture and place it a freezer-friendly dish. Top it with more strawberries and chocolate chips if desired. You can eat it right away for a soft serve or freeze for about 2-4 hours. Three hours is usually perfect for me. Notes: You may want to remove your ice cream from the freezer and wait about 30 minutes so that it can thaw out a bit.Store any leftover cottage cheese ice cream in a freezer-safe, airtight container in the freezer for up to 2 weeks. If you wait longer than that, it may become too icy to eat.Pro Tip: To prevent ice crystals from forming over your ice cream, cover the surface with plastic wrap before closing the lid over it.
If you are looking for more delicious, healthy, protein-rich, no bake desserts and treats to help you reach your health, wellness and fitness goals, you will love my collection here: Blended Bites
