Cottage Cheese Ice Cream (Viral High Protein Dessert!)

by Kayla Berman on Apr 13, 2023 (updated May 26, 2023) 2 comments

Cottage Cheese Ice Cream is a quick, easy, high protein, and healthy version of the classic dessert! Made with full fat cottage cheese, fresh strawberries, graham crackers, and pure maple syrup .. this viral strawberry cheesecake flavored treat is rich, thick, creamy, and delicious. With 15 grams of protein per serving it is simply a must make! And no … you can’t taste the cheese one bit.

Love trying out viral food trends? Check out my Big Mac Smashburger Tacos, Strawberry Yogurt Clusters, Upside-Down Puff Pastry Tarts, and Italian Grinder Salad Sandwich too.

Viral TikTok High Protein Ice Cream

When I saw this high protein ice cream made of cottage cheese on my TikTok for you page I knew I had to try it. I mean, come on!

I’m in both my protein era and cottage cheese era … so it was almost like this concept was made for me! See Protein Overnight Oats and Cottage Cheese Toast.

Well, I tried it and it is amazing! Literally amazing. This weird frozen cottage cheese concoction is actually not weird at all.

With a deliciously rich flavor, creamy consistency, and thick texture … this homemade dessert looks, feels, and tastes like the real deal. I promise you … it is SO GOOD!

I can tell you for certain that this high protein treat is better than any of those healthy or low calorie ice creams you can find at the grocery store.

This version is made with fresh strawberries, graham crackers, and maple syrup. It has a strawberry cheesecake flavor! But the additional flavor options are truly limitless.

This 4 ingredient, 5 minute frozen treat is truly a must make. It is the perfect dessert or snack!

Love the sound of this recipe? Then you’re sure to love my Frozen Cottage Cheese Bark and Cottage Cheese with Fruit Bowls too. Or checkout my Low Carb Pizza Bowl for some savory cottage cheese goodness.

Ingredients

This simple recipe only requires 4 ingredients! They come together to make a delicious ice cream dessert.

I know you’re probably doubting me, but this cottage cheese concoction really is rich, thick, and creamy like the real thing!

Ingredient Notes

Cottage Cheese: You will need 1 cup of a full fat cottage cheese for this recipe! I actually used a double cream cottage cheese which had 6% milkfat. It gave this healthy ice cream the most creamy texture!
Strawberries: This ice cream recipe is strawberry cheesecake flavored, so you of course need fresh strawberries! 1/2 cup of the red berry works perfectly.
Pure Maple Syrup: To sweeten things up, you’ll add 2 tbsp pure maple syrup. You could also use different natural sweeteners like honey or agave nectar!
Graham Crackers: Graham crackers add the perfect crunch and texture here. Add 2 sleeves, or 8 of the small crackers.

Flavor Variations

There are endless flavor possibilities for this homemade dessert!

If you take away the strawberries and graham crackers that make this recipe strawberry cheesecake flavored, you are left with a yummy neutral base that you can build upon.

Vanilla: Just add vanilla extract
Chocolate Chip: Again … just add chocolate chips
Reece’s: Add peanut butter and peanut butter cups
Chocolate: Add cocoa powder
Cookies & Cream: Add Oreo cookie pieces
Cheesecake Flavors: I like the idea of a cheesecake theme for this ice cream because the base is obviously a cheese. You could add in different fresh fruit for different cheesecake flavors – perhaps blueberry or banana!

Kitchen Tools

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How To Make This Recipe

This homemade ice cream recipe is incredibly easy to make! All you need is about 10 minutes, a blender, and a freezer.

No ice cream maker needed!

Step By Step Instructions

Step 1: Add the cottage cheese, 1/2 the chopped strawberries, and the maple syrup to a food processor or blender.

Step 2: Blend until completely smooth.

Step 3: Pour the blended cottage cheese into a freezer safe container. Layer with the crushed graham crackers and remaining chopped strawberries. I do cottage cheese mixture, mix-ins, cottage cheese mixture, mix-ins, cottage cheese mixture, and the final mix-ins on top.

Step 4: Place the container in the freezer to set. It will take about 2-4 hours to freeze completely.

Step 5: Once frozen, remove from the freezer at let sit at room temperature for 10-20 minutes. I think if you don’t freeze as long / completely you could probably just scoop and serve right away.

Step 6: Scoop, serve, and enjoy!

Expert Tips

Use a high quality full fat or double cream cottage cheese! I use Good Culture.

Use a plain cottage cheese with a mild flavor. This will make the dessert taste the most like traditional ice cream!

Make it lighter and lower calorie! Swap in lower fat cottage cheese (although you may sacrifice some creaminess) and exclude the graham crackers.

Blend until there is a very very smooth texture. No clumps or curds left! Ew.

Make sure to let the mixture sit once you remove it from the freezer before scooping. It gets a bit icy, so allowing it to thaw a bit will give it that wonderfully, creamy ice cream texture!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is cottage cheese ice cream?

It isn’t actually ice cream at all! It is simply cottage cheese blended up, frozen, scooped, and served in an ice cream style.

Kind of like that time everyone blended up frozen bananas and called it ice cream. Nice cream if you will!

What kind of cottage cheese should I use?

You should use a plain cottage cheese with a high fat percentage, 4% – 6% milkfat! I use this.

Does this really taste like ice cream?

In my opinion, yes it actually does! It looks, feels, and tastes like ice cream.

I was honestly shocked at how good this stuff is. It’s honestly amazing!!

Is this recipe healthy?

In terms, of ice cream … yes! This is a high protein, relatively low calorie take on the classic frozen treat.

This recipe makes 2 servings, with about 250 calories and 15 grams of protein each. Not bad, for ice cream if you ask me!

Cottage cheese is also super nutritious. It’s a great source of potassium, calcium, and vitamin B!

How to best store this recipe?

You can store this recipe in the freezer. It will keep for about a week!

Just remember to let thaw a bit before enjoying.

Love this recipe? Check out some more delicious ones below…

High Protein Sweet Recipes

Healthy Desserts

Connect With Me!

If you make this viral cottage cheese ice cream recipe or any of my other recipes, I would absolutely love to know! Tag me @wellnessbykay on Instagram so I can see and share your recreations.

Love this recipe? Leave a comment and a rating! I love to see and it helps me continue to develop delicious recipes for this blog.