Creamy Cottage Cheese Ice Cream Recipe. Ready in 15 Minutes!
Introduction.
Last summer, my friend Sarah surprised me with a unique revelation-she makes ice cream using cottage cheese. At first, I was taken aback. Cottage cheese in ice cream? It seemed as odd as adding ketchup to a pizza.
But then she handed me a scoop and a bowl of creamy vanilla ice cream. When I took a bite, my thoughts about Sarah changed completely. She was right. I was surprised at how creamy, smooth, and full of protein the ice cream was. Would you believe that this cottage cheese ice cream tastes as good as the gelato you get in fancy restaurants?
The best part is that it takes about 15 minutes to make this delicious dessert. It also costs less than regular ice cream. This dessert is packed with protein. It's really good for your body. I never knew that simple cottage cheese could be such a delicious and healthy treat. At the moment, cottage cheese ice cream is my favourite dessert because it’s yummy and healthy.
Ingredients.
- 2 cups full-fat cottage cheese.
- 1/3 cup honey or maple syrup. (adjust to taste)
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract.
- 1/4 teaspoon salt. (trust me on this one)
- 1/2 cup heavy cream or whole milk.
- 2 tablespoons powdered sugar. (optional, for extra sweetness)
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice. (brightens the flavour)
Optional mix-ins:
- 1/2 cup fresh berries
- 2 tablespoons cocoa powder for the chocolate version.
- 1/4 cup mini chocolate chips.
- 1 tablespoon peanut butter.
(Image generated using Whisk AI)
Kitchen Tools Required.
- High-speed blender or food processor.
- Fine-mesh strainer.
- Large mixing bowl.
- Ice cream maker. (or freezer-safe container)
- Rubber spatula.
- Measuring cups and spoons.
- Serving bowls.
Step-by-Step Guide to Making Cottage Cheese Ice Cream.
Step 1: Pour the cottage cheese you have taken into a fine mesh strainer and let it sit for about 10 minutes to drain off the excess liquid. This will help keep your ice cream smooth and prevent it from becoming icy. While it is straining, let the cottage cheese warm to room temperature. This will allow it to blend better.
Step 2: Add the strained cottage cheese, honey, vanilla, and salt to taste to your blender or food processor. Blend on high for 2-3 minutes until the mixture is entirely smooth and there are no lumps. Stop a few times to scrape down the sides to ensure everything is evenly mixed.
Step 3: While the blender is running, slowly pour in the heavy cream. This will give us the rich, spreadable texture we are looking for. If you are using lemon juice and powdered sugar, add them now. Now blend for another 30 seconds until everything is well combined.
Step 4: Now taste and add a little honey or sugar if desired. Remember that the sweetness will decrease a bit after freezing. After cooling, it should be sweeter than you want it to be.
(Photo by Yaroslav Shuraev: Pexels)
Step 5: There are two ways to freeze the ice cream. If you have an ice cream maker, put the mixture in it and churn for 15-20 minutes. If you don't have an ice cream maker, pour the mixture into a container, refrigerate it, take it out after 45 minutes, and churn it well. Refrigerate it again and repeat this churning process 3-4 times over the next 3 hours. This will help your cottage cheese ice cream become smooth and creamy.
Step 6: If you are using an ice cream maker, add any extras, such as berries or chocolate chips, during the last 15 minutes. If you are using a freezer, add the extras during your final churning. This will keep them evenly distributed and prevent them from sinking or forming lumps.
Step 7: Now pour the ice cream into a container with a lid. If you want firmer scoopable ice cream, freeze it for at least 2 hours. If you can't wait, you can serve it immediately for a delicious soft-serve treat.
Cooking Tips.
Tip 1: The type of cottage cheese you use is significant. If you want to get the best result, use a full-fat, low-fat cottage cheese from a brand you trust. I have found that organic cottage cheese is often creamier and has fewer grains. This makes a big difference and helps your ice cream to be perfectly smooth.
Tip 2: Even if you find straining the cottage cheese a hassle, never skip it. Those 10 minutes are significant. Straining it, as in the first step, prevents the ice cream from becoming ice. I missed this step one day, and instead of a creamy dessert, I got flavoured ice cubes.
Tip 3: If you're making ice cream without a machine, be sure to set a timer to remind you to stir. If you make the mistake of forgetting, you'll end up with a rock-hard block of ice that takes a long Time to melt sufficiently.
“If you’re looking for a healthy and protein-rich ice cream alternative, cottage cheese is one of the best options to try. According to EatingWell, just one cup of cottage cheese packs nearly 24 grams of protein along with essential nutrients like vitamin B12, phosphorus, and calcium. These nutrients not only support strong bones and muscle growth but also make cottage cheese ice cream a guilt-free dessert that fits perfectly into a balanced diet.”
Reasons to Try This Recipe.
This Cottage Cheese Ice Cream is truly amazing. It has a rich flavor and is a crowd pleaser, and I can't tell if it's made with Cottage Cheese. It has a nice tart flavour that cuts through all the salty flavours. It's like eating frozen cheesecake.
This Cottage Cheese Ice Cream recipe is straightforward for you. Unlike traditional ice cream recipes that have many complicated steps, this one only takes you about 15 minutes to make. It's perfect for when you need a quick dessert.
The nicest thing is you can set it up how you like. I made it chocolate and added more peach slices, and even swirled it in jam. You can try anything you want, depending on your creativity and ability. This recipe has become my favourite starting point for experimenting with all kinds of delicious ice creams.
Healthier Swaps.
Swap 1: For a higher protein content, you can use Greek yogurt instead of heavy cream. It will be a little more sour, but it will still have a great flavor. This change will increase the protein content by 12 to 15 grams per serving.
Swap 2: If you're concerned about your sugar intake, you can use stevia or monk fruit instead of honey. But these are much sweeter than honey, so use a little less than you think you'll need.
Swap 3: If you want to make this cottage cheese ice cream dairy-free, you can use coconut cream instead of dairy cream. Chill a can of coconut milk and use the heavy cream on top. One thing you need to keep in mind is that after this change, a typical coconut flavor comes out, which some people like, but some don't.
✅ Advantages of Creamy Cottage Cheese Ice Creamy.
One of the great things about this Creamy Cottage Cheese Ice Cream is how fast it is. You can make this delicious dessert in about 15 minutes. If you try to make a regular ice cream, it might take you a day.
Another advantage of this recipe is that it is very affordable. You can buy a tub of cottage cheese for about $3. That's enough for six people. If you were to try to buy this high-quality ice cream from a store, you would have to spend between $15 and $20.
You get an incredible amount of protein here. Each serving has about 12 grams of protein. So this is not only a delicious dessert. It's a delightful quality meal. Plus, this cheese ice cream will satisfy you more than regular ice cream.
❌ Disadvantages of Creamy Cottage Cheese Ice Creamy.
I have to be honest with you. The flavour here is not as premium as the ice cream you buy at the store. But it is very similar. Some people who try this recipe understand that. It is creamier than frozen yogurt. But this recipe is not as rich as Ben and Jerry's.
It also has a typical sour taste. If you are someone who only likes sweet desserts, it will take you some Time to get used to it. My family had to try this creamy cheese ice cream several times to get used to it. But now the whole family loves this cheese ice cream.
Keep in mind that if you store this in the refrigerator for a few days, it will solidify. Let it sit for about 10 minutes before you scoop it. It's not a big deal, but it's essential to know.
Conclusion.
Honestly, if you haven't tried Cottage Cheese ice cream yet, you're missing out on a special dessert. This is a great option when you're craving dessert but still want a side dish that feels a little healthier. Plus, it's so quick and easy to make, I make this recipe for dinner parties and whenever my friends come over.
You should definitely try this Cottage Cheese ice cream. It’s much tastier than you’d expect. Once you get the basic recipe down, you can mix in different flavors and make it your own.
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FAQs
1.Question: What can I do if I don't have an ice cream maker?
- Answer: No problem! I'll use the freezing method I described in step 5. It will take a little longer in that step, but the result will still be just as good. Be sure to set a timer so you don't forget.
2.Question: Can I make this without using milk?
- Answer: I haven't tried making this recipe without milk, but you could try using dairy-free cottage cheese and coconut cream. The texture may be slightly different, but it should still work well.
3.Question: Why is my ice cream too icy?
- Answer: Ice cream with too much ice usually happens when you skip the straining or don't blend it long enough. Blend it until smooth and make sure the cottage cheese is well-drained before freezing.
4.Question: Can I use low-fat cottage cheese to save calories?
- Answer: Yes, you can! But it won't be as creamy or rich. The fat will make it smoother. So a low-fat version will be icier and less satisfying.
Tags:
Desserts