HEALTHY COTTAGE CHEESE ICE CREAM
(High-Protein, No-Churn, Ready in 4 Hours)
KEY INFO:
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Freeze Time: 4-6 hours
Total Time: 4-6 hours
Servings: 3-4
Difficulty: Easy
Dietary: Vegetarian, Gluten-Free, High-Protein
EQUIPMENT NEEDED:
- High-speed blender or food processor
- Freezer-safe container
- Spatula
- Ice cream scoop (optional)
INGREDIENTS:
Base:
- 2 cups (450g) full-fat cottage cheese
- 2 tablespoons (30ml) honey or maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon (5ml) vanilla extract
For Chocolate Version:
- 2 tablespoons (15g) unsweetened cocoa powder
For Fruit Version:
- 1 cup (150g) frozen berries or 1 ripe banana
OPTIONAL ADD-INS:
- 2 tablespoons nut butter
- ¼ cup chocolate chips
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
METHOD:
- Place cottage cheese in blender with sweetener and vanilla.
- Add either cocoa powder OR frozen fruit (depending on desired flavor).
- Blend on HIGH until completely smooth (about 2-3 minutes). Stop and scrape sides as needed.
- Taste and adjust sweetness if needed.
- Pour into freezer-safe container.
- Freeze for 4-6 hours until firm but scoopable.
CRUCIAL TIPS:
- Use full-fat cottage cheese for creamiest results
- Let sit 5-10 minutes at room temperature before serving
- Blend until absolutely smooth – no cottage cheese curds should be visible
STORAGE & SCALING:
- Keeps in freezer up to 1 week
- Recipe doubles easily
- Store in airtight container
COMMON MISTAKES TO AVOID:
- Don’t skip the blending time
- Avoid low-fat cottage cheese
- Don’t over-sweeten initially
VARIATIONS:
- Mocha: Add 1 tablespoon instant coffee
- Mint Chip: Add ¼ teaspoon peppermint extract and dark chocolate chips
- Berry Swirl: Swirl in warm berry compote before freezing
Pro tip: For extra-smooth results, blend mixture again after 2 hours of freezing, then return to freezer.
This protein-packed ice cream satisfies sweet cravings while providing nutritional benefits. Perfect for post-workout treats or healthy dessert options.
