Delicious & Nutritious Cottage Cheese Dessert Recipes

The Versatility of Cottage Cheese in Desserts

Cottage cheese has long been appreciated as a high protein, low fat dairy product that can be used in cooking and baking. But many people don't realize just how versatile cottage cheese can be, especially when it comes to making delicious desserts. The mild flavor and creamy texture of cottage cheese allows it to shine through in both sweet and tangy applications. Keep reading to discover 5 sensational yet easy cottage cheese dessert recipes.

The Health Benefits of Cottage Cheese

First, let's examine what sets cottage cheese apart from other dairy products. Cottage cheese is a fresh, soft cheese curd product made from cow's milk. The curds are drained but not pressed, resulting in a mild flavor and soft texture. Cottage cheese packs a hefty dose of protein - just half a cup contains 14 grams. It's also low in carbohydrates. Cottage cheese is an excellent source of calcium and phosphorus too. The calcium will help keep your bones strong. Phosphorus supports healthy muscles and nerves.

When choosing which cottage cheese to buy, go for varieties marked as low-fat or fat-free. This will slash calories and unhealthy saturated fats. Low-sodium cottage cheese is also available if you're watching your salt consumption. Top brands like Good Culture and Breakstone's offer tasty options.

Mixing Sweet and Savory

Cottage cheese effortlessly straddles the line between sweet and savory. When using cottage cheese as an ingredient in desserts, small curd cottage cheese blends more smoothly than large curd. The consistency is almost like ricotta cheese. Expect a mild flavor that pairs well with fruits, chocolate, maple syrup, and vanilla.

Ready to get cooking? Let's explore 5 delectable cottage cheese dessert options...

1. Two-Bite Cottage Cheese Brownies

Fudgy, chocolatey brownies don't have to derail your healthy eating goals - not when you make them with cottage cheese! These miniature brownies are gluten-free, flourless, and boosted with protein too. Date paste lends its signature caramel sweetness to perfectly balance the dark cocoa flavors.

Ingredients:

• 1 14 cups cottage cheese
• 2 large eggs
• 13 cup cocoa powder
• 14 cup date paste or maple syrup
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 14 teaspoon salt
• Optional mix-ins: chocolate chips, nuts, diced dates

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350F. Grease mini muffin tin with oil or line with parchment liners.
2. In a food processor or blender, process the cottage cheese and eggs together until completely smooth.
3. Add in cocoa powder, date paste, vanilla and salt. Blend again until incorporated.
4. Distribute batter evenly among muffin cups. Top with any additional mix-ins if desired.
5. Bake 15-18 minutes until set. Cool 5 minutes before removing from pan.

Make-Ahead Tips:

Store brownies in an airtight container for up to 1 week, or freeze for longer term. Thaw at room temperature or zap 5-10 seconds to serve.

2. Three Ingredient No-Churn Ice Cream

Creamy cool and sweet... who can resist ice cream?! Fortunately this 3 ingredient cottage cheese ice cream delivers all the deliciousness of traditional ice cream in a lighter package. Using cottage cheese instead of heavy cream slashes calories and pumps up nutrition.

Ingredients:

• 1 12 cups cottage cheese
• 1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions:

1. In a blender or food processor, blend cottage cheese until completely smooth. About 1 minute.
2. Add sweetened condensed milk and vanilla. Blend again until incorporated. Mixture will look well blended but not completely uniform.
3. Pour mixture into freezer safe container or ice cream maker.
4. Freeze for 6-8 hours or according to ice cream maker directions. Ripen overnight in the fridge before scooping if time allows.

Serving Suggestions:

Customize your cottage cheese ice cream with mix-ins like chocolate chips, crushed cookies, or candy pieces. Top individual scoops with chocolate sauce, caramel sauce, sprinkles - anything goes! For a lower sugar option, try making the base mixture with evaporated milk instead of sweetened condensed.

3. Edible Cottage Cheese Cookie Dough

Missing carefree days scarfing down spoonfuls of chocolate chip cookie dough? This edible cottage cheese cookie dough lets you relive those glory days... without risk of salmonella or stray eggshells. The secret is using heat-treated flour and pasteurized eggs as a base. Then cottage cheese is blended in for added richness and protein power!

Ingredients:

• 1 12 cups cottage cheese
• 12 cup smooth almond butter
• 13 cup pure maple syrup
• 1 egg
• 1 12 cups heat-treated flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 12 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup mix-ins: chocolate chips, sprinkles, crisped rice cereal, etc.

Instructions:

1. In a food processor or blender, puree cottage cheese completely smooth. About 1 minute.
2. Add almond butter, maple syrup and egg. Blend until combined.
3. In a mixing bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda and salt.
4. Add dry ingredients to wet mixture. Fold gently just until combined. Batter may be slightly sticky.
5. Fold in desired mix-ins.
6. For edible dough, scoop 1-2 tablespoons at a time and enjoy!

Baking Tips:

To bake into cookies, roll dough into 1-inch balls and flatten on a parchment lined cookie sheet. Bake at 350F for 9-11 minutes.

4. Slow Cooker Bread Pudding Souffle

Sweet tooth cravings are no match for this warm, comforting, fluffy bread pudding. Cubed challah or brioche bread mingles with a rich custard spiked with vanilla, cinnamon and nutmeg. Softly sweetened canned peaches add a pop of bright flavor too. Best of all, thanks to hands-off slow cooker preparation you can simply walk away and let this self-made dessert work its magic!

Ingredients:

• 1 12 cups cottage cheese
• 4 eggs
• 2 cups milk
• 13 cup brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon vanilla
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 14 teaspoon nutmeg
• Pinch of salt
• 6 cups cubed bread
• 1 (15 ounce) can sliced peaches, drained

Instructions:

1. Grease a 5-6 quart slow cooker with cooking spray.
2. In a blender or food processor, blend cottage cheese, eggs, milk, brown sugar and spices until smooth.
3. Place bread cubes and peaches into prepared slow cooker. Pour liquid mixture over.
4. Cook on high heat setting for 3-4 hours, until puffed and set in center. Do not overcook.
5. Allow to cool 15 minutes before cutting and serving.

Garnish individual servings with powdered sugar, maple syrup, whipped cream or vanilla ice cream if desired.

5. Lemon Curd Cottage Cheesecake

Experience the best of both worlds with this lemony cottage cheesecake. A crisp graham cracker crust cradles smooth, tangy lemon curd lightened with - you guessed it - cottage cheese! The results are phenomenal. Sweet citrus flavors mingle with vanilla, slowly baked until just set. Top wedges with fresh berries for more fruity goodness.

Ingredients:

Crust:

• 2 cups graham cracker crumbs
• 5 tablespoons melted butter
• 3 tablespoons granulated sugar

Filling:

• 4 (8 ounce) packages cottage cheese
• 1 14 cups granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• 3 eggs plus 2 egg yolks, room temperature
• 23 cup fresh lemon juice (about 3 lemons worth)
• 14 cup cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons lemon zest

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 325F. Grease bottom and sides of a 9 or 10 inch springform pan.
2. In a bowl, mix all crust ingredients. Press firmly into prepared pan. Place pan on a rimmed baking sheet.
3. In a blender or food processor, blend 4 packages cottage cheese until completely smooth. About 2 minutes.
4. Add sugar and vanilla. Blend again until incorporated. Add eggs and yolks one at a time, fully blending between additions.
5. Pour mixture into a large bowl. Add lemon juice, cornstarch and lemon zest. Whisk by hand just until blended

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.