I recently experimented with a delightful twist on a classic ice cream by combining full fat cottage cheese, heavy cream, and unsweetened cocoa powder. The Kitchen Cottage Cheese Ice Cream balances honey, whole milk, and vanilla to create a creamy, protein-packed treat that surprises with every bite.
I’ve been experimenting in the kitchen lately and stumbled upon this crazy idea of mixing cottage cheese with a chocolatey goodness, and trust me it ended up being one of my favorite high-protein treats ever. I decided to use 2 cups of full fat cottage cheese, 1 cup heavy cream and 1/2 cup whole milk to create a rich, creamy base.
I then stirred in 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder along with 1/2 cup honey (or you can use maple syrup if thats your vibe) to give it that deep, chocolate flavor. A splash of vanilla extract and a pinch of salt really brought everything together.
Sometimes I even add 1/2 cup chopped dark chocolate pieces for a delightful crunch. I’ve tried similar ideas in some of my other recipes and this one feels like a natural evolution of my blended ice cream experiments.
Enjoy giving this recipe a try and discovering new flavors!
Why I Like this Recipe
I really love this recipe because it gives me a tasty treat that isn’t overly sugary. Even though it’s ice cream, I feel like i’m eating something a bit healthier and the protein boost from the cottage cheese makes me feel less guilty. I also like how it’s so simple to make even if i dont have an ice cream maker, i can just stir it every half hour and still end up with a creamy dessert. Another thing that makes this recipe awesome is that it has a rich chocolate flavor that isn’t too overpowering but just perfect for when i’m craving something indulgent.
Ingredients
- Full fat cottage cheese: Rich protein and smooth texture, adding a slight tanginess that balances the cream taste.
- Heavy cream: Provides a rich mouthfeel and luscious fat content for a velvety, dreamy ice cream.
- Unsweetened cocoa powder: Intensifies flavor with antioxidants, bringing bold chocolate notes without any extra sugar.
- Honey: Natural sweetener that adds floral hints while balancing cocoa’s bitterness just right.
- Dark chocolate pieces: Give extra crunch and rich chocolate bursts in every bite for fun texture.
- Whole milk: Lends a light dairy note making the blend extra smooth and creamy overall.
- Vanilla extract: Adds warm, aromatic sweetness that elevates the overall flavor completely.
- Salt: Enhances all flavors by balancing sweetness and intensifying tastes ever so subtly.
Ingredient Quantities
- 2 cups full fat cottage cheese
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 cup honey (or maple syrup if u prefer)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- A pinch of salt
- Optional: 1/2 cup chopped dark chocolate pieces
How to Make this
1. First, add 2 cups of full fat cottage cheese, 1 cup heavy cream, 1/2 cup whole milk, 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, 1/2 cup honey (or maple syrup if you prefer), 1 tsp vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt into a blender. Blend everything for about 2 minutes until it becomes completely smooth.
2. Give it a quick taste and if it’s not sweet enough, feel free to add a little more honey according to your taste.
3. If you’re using the dark chocolate pieces, stir in about 1/2 cup of chopped dark chocolate into the mix after blending.
4. Pour the mixture into a bowl, cover it, and chill it in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour so that it gets really cold.
5. Once chilled, pour the mix into your ice cream maker and churn it for about 20-25 minutes, following your maker’s instructions until it thickens nicely.
6. If you dont have an ice cream maker, simply pour the mixture into a shallow container and place it in the freezer. Every 30 minutes for about 2 hours, stir it well to break up ice crystals.
7. After churning or stirring, transfer your ice cream to an airtight container and freeze it for an extra 2 hours if needed to firm it up.
8. Finally, scoop out the creamy, chocolatey ice cream and enjoy your rich dessert thats both indulgent and high in protein!
Equipment Needed
1. Measuring cups and spoons for all the ingredients
2. A blender to mix everything until smooth
3. A mixing bowl with a cover to chill the mixture in the fridge
4. An ice cream maker or a shallow, freezer-safe container if you’re doing the manual method
5. A spatula or spoon to stir the mix if you’re using the freezer method
6. An airtight container for storing the ice cream once it’s churned or frozen
FAQ
Creamy Chocolate Cottage Cheese Ice Cream Recipe Substitutions and Variations
- You can replace full fat cottage cheese with Greek yogurt or ricotta cheese. They both work fine but will change the flavor a bit.
- If you don’t have heavy cream, try using coconut cream. Keep in mind it adds a slight coconut taste.
- Switch out the whole milk with almond milk if you want a lighter or dairy-free version. The flavor changes a little but it’s still yummy.
- You can substitute the honey with maple syrup or agave nectar if you’re looking for a vegan twist or different sweetness.
- If you run out of vanilla extract, use a bit of almond extract. Just use less of it cause it’s stronger and could take over the flavor.
Pro Tips
1. Try to use a really powerful blender so your mixture comes out super smooth, because if there are any little curds left over you might end up with unwanted lumps in your ice cream.
2. Taste your blend before you chill it and add a little more honey if needed, but be careful not to overdo it—you can always add more later if you find it too bland.
3. When adding the chopped chocolate pieces, fold them in gently after the blend so they keep some texture instead of melting completely into the mix.
4. If you don’t have an ice cream maker, make sure to stir the frozen mix every half hour really fast, that way you break up any ice crystals and keep it creamy.
5. Let all the ingredients (especially the dairy) get really cold before you start, that helps the churning process and prevents any weird texture issues later on.
Creamy Chocolate Cottage Cheese Ice Cream Recipe
My favorite Creamy Chocolate Cottage Cheese Ice Cream Recipe
Equipment Needed:
1. Measuring cups and spoons for all the ingredients
2. A blender to mix everything until smooth
3. A mixing bowl with a cover to chill the mixture in the fridge
4. An ice cream maker or a shallow, freezer-safe container if you’re doing the manual method
5. A spatula or spoon to stir the mix if you’re using the freezer method
6. An airtight container for storing the ice cream once it’s churned or frozen
Ingredients:
- 2 cups full fat cottage cheese
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 cup honey (or maple syrup if u prefer)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- A pinch of salt
- Optional: 1/2 cup chopped dark chocolate pieces
Instructions:
1. First, add 2 cups of full fat cottage cheese, 1 cup heavy cream, 1/2 cup whole milk, 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, 1/2 cup honey (or maple syrup if you prefer), 1 tsp vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt into a blender. Blend everything for about 2 minutes until it becomes completely smooth.
2. Give it a quick taste and if it’s not sweet enough, feel free to add a little more honey according to your taste.
3. If you’re using the dark chocolate pieces, stir in about 1/2 cup of chopped dark chocolate into the mix after blending.
4. Pour the mixture into a bowl, cover it, and chill it in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour so that it gets really cold.
5. Once chilled, pour the mix into your ice cream maker and churn it for about 20-25 minutes, following your maker’s instructions until it thickens nicely.
6. If you dont have an ice cream maker, simply pour the mixture into a shallow container and place it in the freezer. Every 30 minutes for about 2 hours, stir it well to break up ice crystals.
7. After churning or stirring, transfer your ice cream to an airtight container and freeze it for an extra 2 hours if needed to firm it up.
8. Finally, scoop out the creamy, chocolatey ice cream and enjoy your rich dessert thats both indulgent and high in protein!