Cottage Cheese Ice Cream is an easy 5-ingredient silky smooth, cool, and refreshing high protein indulgence that will remind you of your favorite ice cream. This strawberry cheesecake flavor with fresh strawberries and graham crackers is one of my favorite guilt-free treats.
Table of Contents
- Easy No Churn Ice Cream Recipes
- Why You'll Love This Cottage Cheese Ice Cream Recipe
- Ingredients
- Best Cottage Cheese for Ice Cream
- How to Make Cottage Cheese Ice Cream
- How Long to Freeze Cottage Cheese Ice Cream
- Cottage Cheese Ice Cream Flavors
- How to Serve It
- Toppings
- Storage
- Frequently Asked Questions
- More Ice Cream Recipes
Easy No Churn Ice Cream Recipes
Are you an ice cream lover? Don't like the hassle of making it and all the hoops you have to go through with an ice cream machine? Then no churn ice cream is for you! Ice cream flavors like Peach Ice Cream, Coffee Ice Cream, and Dark Chocolate Ice Cream are just a few of my favorites.
And yes, this cottage cheese ice cream is a no churn ice cream too! It's also the newest craze to hit social media. It has a rich, creamy, smooth texture similar to regular ice cream and is much healthier, providing a huge protein boost. If you dislike cottage cheese, like me, you will be pleasantly surprised at just how yummy this version is. It has just 2 simple ingredients to which you can add all your favorite add-ins. It's cool, refreshing, and one of the easiest healthy desserts you'll want to make this summer.
Why You'll Love This Cottage Cheese Ice Cream Recipe
Indulging in a scoop of cottage cheese ice cream isn't just about satisfying your ice cream cravings - it's a wholesome treat that offers a delightful balance of nutrition and flavor. Here's why you'll find yourself reaching for this creamy concoction time and again:
- A guilt-free delight: With 13 grams of protein per serving, this dessert isn't just delicious; it's also a satisfying way to meet your daily protein intake.
- Minimal ingredients: With just a handful of pantry staples, you can whip up a batch of this ice cream without the need for complicated or hard-to-find ingredients.
- Effortless preparation: Blending full fat cottage cheese, natural sweeteners, and fresh fruit results in a creamy base that's both simple to make and incredibly versatile.
- No special equipment required: Say goodbye to the hassle of owning an ice cream maker - this recipe relies on basic kitchen tools, making it an easy dessert recipe for anyone.
- Endless customization options: Whether you're craving classic strawberry or experimenting with inventive flavor combinations, this recipe provides a fun way to express your creativity.
- Beyond dessert: While it satisfies your sweet cravings, this high-protein treat doubles as a nutritious snack, offering a filling frozen treat and a boost of energy whenever you need it.
Ingredients
Here's what you need to make strawberry cheesecake cottage cheese ice cream. The exact measurements are in the printable recipe card below.
- Cottage Cheese - use full-fat cottage cheese
- Maple Syrup - or honey can be used
- Vanilla Extract - enhances all the flavors
- Strawberries - get the freshest strawberries for the best flavor
- Graham Crackers - for a little taste of a strawberry cheesecake graham cracker crust
Best Cottage Cheese for Ice Cream
Use 4% milkfat cottage cheese for the creamiest texture. It's also known as whole milk cottage cheese and it is made with milk and cream.
Using low fat or fat-free cottage cheese works too. However, the texture will be somewhat icy and not as similar to real ice cream. Note that both low-fat and fat-free have more protein.
How to Make Cottage Cheese Ice Cream
These are some photos along with the simple steps for making ice cream with cottage cheese.
- Place the cottage cheese, strawberries, and vanilla extract into a high-speed blender.
- Pour in the maple syrup.
- Blend until smooth. You can also use an immersion blender in place of a regular blender.
- Place the cut-up strawberries and roughly crumbled graham cracker crumbs into the cottage cheese mixture.
- Stir well.
- Scoop into a freezer-safe container with a lid. You can also use a loaf pan and cover it well with plastic wrap. Freeze for 4 hours or until frozen.
Tip: For best results, stir the ice cream mixture every 30 minutes after you put it in the freezer until frozen solid. This will make it creamier and easier to scoop out with an ice cream scoop.
How Long to Freeze Cottage Cheese Ice Cream
It takes approximately 4 hours to freeze blended cottage cheese ice cream. The time can vary depending on your desired texture. Less time is similar to soft serve ice cream and more time will be solid.
Cottage Cheese Ice Cream Flavors
There are so many ways to get creative with cottage cheese ice cream. Start with the base of cottage cheese and maple syrup or honey and add whatever to make your favorite flavors. Here are some different ideas to get you started:
- Berry: Use your favorite frozen berry. Make it blackberry, blueberry, raspberry, strawberry, or mixed berry.
- Chocolate: Add in ½ to 1 tablespoon of cocoa powder.
- Coffee: Mix in a shot of espresso or a teaspoon of instant coffee powder for a delightful coffee-flavored ice cream.
- Peanut Butter: Add ¼ cup of peanut butter.
- Vanilla: Add the seeds scraped from a vanilla bean or 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract.
How to Serve It
When you're ready to enjoy the ice cream, here are some ways to serve it:
- Bowl or Cone: Whether you prefer serving it in a bowl or in a cone, scoop out generous servings of this creamy high-protein dessert and savor it just like you would any traditional ice cream treat.
- Parfait Perfection: Elevate your dessert experience by assembling an ice cream parfait. Alternate layers of the ice cream with fresh, vibrant fruits, dollops of yogurt, or swirls of whipped cream for a delightful medley of flavors and textures.
- Ice Cream Sandwich: Scoop this delicious ice cream between two cookies or waffles. The combination of creamy goodness and crunchy or chewy exteriors creates an irresistible dessert experience.
Toppings
Customize your cottage cheese ice cream with delectable toppings that add layers of flavor, texture, and decadence. Whether you're indulging in classic strawberry ice cream or experimenting with other flavors, these toppings are sure to take your dessert to the next level.
- Fresh Fruit: Up the fruity goodness of strawberry ice cream with additional fresh strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, or sliced bananas.
- Chocolate Magic: Drizzle melted chocolate, chocolate sauce, or chocolate shell over your ice cream then sprinkle with chocolate shavings or chocolate chips for the chocolate lover in all of us.
- Nutty Crunch: Add a satisfying crunch with chopped nuts such as almonds, pecans, walnuts, or peanuts. Toasted coconut flakes also make a tasty topping.
- Whipped Cream: Dollop a generous serving of whipped cream on top for an airy and creamy contrast. Garnish with sprinkles, chocolate curls, or a cherry.
- Cookie Crumbles: Crumble your favorite cookies - whether it's chocolate chip, Oreo, or shortbread - over your ice cream for a hint of cookie goodness in every bite.
Storage
Ice cream should be stored in the freezer in a freezer-safe container. It will last for up to 6 weeks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Cottage cheese ice cream is a nutritious alternative to traditional ice cream. Made with wholesome ingredients and free from refined sugar or artificial preservatives, it offers a satisfying dose of protein that can help curb cravings and leave you feeling satisfied.
If your cottage cheese ice cream has become too firm in the freezer, you can easily soften it by placing the container in the microwave and using the DEFROST setting in short increments. Heat in 30-second intervals until the ice cream reaches a softer consistency that's easy to scoop.
While cottage cheese ice cream may not mimic the exact taste of classic full-fat ice cream, it offers a delightful creamy texture and fruity flavor that's reminiscent of traditional frozen treats.
If you're hesitant about cottage cheese due to its texture, don't be! Blending cottage cheese into a smooth consistency eliminates any noticeable texture, allowing it to take on the flavors of other ingredients. You'll be pleasantly surprised by the creamy and flavorful results of this recipe.
In place of maple syrup or honey, you can experiment with alternative sweeteners such as agave nectar, stevia, coconut sugar, or a keto-friendly sweetener. Adjust the amount to taste to achieve your desired level of sweetness.
More Ice Cream Recipes
- Chocolate Chip Cookie Ice Cream Sandwiches
- Chocolate Covered Ice Cream Bites
- Coffee Ice Cream Pie
- Homemade Ice Cream Sandwiches
- Hot Cocoa Ice Cream
Find lots of easy recipes for desserts right here on 2CM!
LOVE QUICK & EASY RECIPES? FOLLOW ME ON INSTAGRAM, FACEBOOK, & PINTEREST FOR ALL THE LATEST RECIPE INSPIRATION! PLUS JOIN MY EMAIL LIST AND RECEIVE A FREE E-BOOK.
Ingredients
- 16 ounces full fat cottage cheese
- 3-4 Tablespoons maple syrup or honey
- 1 ½ cups fresh strawberries (½ cup cut-up)
- ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 2-3 whole graham crackers roughly chopped
Instructions
- Place cottage cheese, maple syrup, 1 cup strawberries and vanilla extract in blender.
- Blend until smooth and creamy.
- Fold in the remaining ½ cup of chopped strawberries and the graham crackers.
- Pour into a freezer-safe container with a lid.
- Freeze for 4 hours or until frozen.
- To serve, let sit on counter for 20 minutes or until soft enough to scoop.
Leave a Reply