Indulge in a guilt-free treat with this Protein Cottage Cheese Cookie Dough. Combining the creamy richness of blended cottage cheese with the sweetness of maple syrup and the nutritional boost of protein powder, this recipe offers a satisfying snack that’s both delicious and nourishing. It’s a versatile base that can be customized with various mix-ins to suit your cravings.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
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High in Protein: Each serving provides over 24 grams of protein, making it a satiating snack or dessert option.
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Quick and Easy: With minimal ingredients and no baking required, you can whip up this treat in just a few minutes.
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Customizable: The base recipe is versatile, allowing you to experiment with different flavors and add-ins to keep things interesting.
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Health-Conscious: Low in carbs and free from refined sugars, it’s a dessert you can feel good about indulging in.
Ingredients
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2 cups full-fat cottage cheese
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2 teaspoons vanilla extract
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¼ cup maple syrup
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2 cups almond flour (avoid superfine almond flour to prevent a gritty texture)
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½ cup protein powder (vanilla or peanut butter flavor recommended)
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1 cup dark chocolate chips
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
Directions
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Blend Wet Ingredients: In a high-powered blender, combine the cottage cheese, vanilla extract, and maple syrup. Blend until the mixture is completely smooth, resembling the consistency of yogurt.
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Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, stir together the almond flour and protein powder until well combined.
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Mix Together: Pour the blended cottage cheese mixture into the bowl with the dry ingredients. Use a spatula to mix until a dough forms.
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Add Chocolate Chips: Gently fold in the dark chocolate chips until evenly distributed throughout the dough.
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Chill: Transfer the cookie dough to an airtight container and refrigerate for at least 3 hours to allow it to firm up.
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Serve: Once chilled, scoop out portions of the cookie dough and enjoy. Store any leftovers in the refrigerator.
Servings and Timing
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Servings: This recipe yields approximately 4 servings.
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Preparation Time: About 7 minutes.
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Chilling Time: At least 3 hours.
Variations
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Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip: Use peanut butter-flavored protein powder. When stirring in the dark chocolate chips, also swirl in ¼ cup of creamy peanut butter for an extra layer of flavor.
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White Chocolate Macadamia: Replace dark chocolate chips with white chocolate chips and add ½ cup of toasted, chopped macadamia nuts to the dough.
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Double Chocolate: Add 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder to the blender with the cottage cheese and maple syrup to create a rich, chocolatey base. Fold in dark chocolate chips as usual.
Storage/Reheating
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Refrigeration: Store the cookie dough in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
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Freezing: For longer storage, portion the dough into individual servings and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before enjoying.
FAQs
What type of cottage cheese works best for this recipe?
Full-fat cottage cheese is recommended for a creamier texture, but low-fat varieties can also be used if preferred.
Can I use a different sweetener instead of maple syrup?
Yes, honey is a suitable alternative. If your protein powder is sufficiently sweet, you might even omit additional sweeteners altogether.
Is there a substitute for almond flour?
Yes, you can substitute almond flour with ¼ cup of coconut flour. Note that coconut flour absorbs more moisture, so the overall volume of the recipe will be smaller.
Can I omit the protein powder?
Yes, but keep in mind that this will reduce the overall protein content of the cookie dough. You may need to adjust the amount of almond flour to achieve the desired consistency.
How can I make this recipe nut-free?
Substitute the almond flour with ½ cup of coconut flour. Ensure that your protein powder and chocolate chips are also free from nuts.
Is this cookie dough safe to eat raw?
Absolutely. This recipe contains no eggs or raw wheat flour, making it safe for raw consumption.
Can I bake this cookie dough into cookies?
This recipe is designed to be enjoyed as raw cookie dough. Baking is not recommended, as the texture and structure may not hold up well in the oven.
How do I make the dough firmer?
If you prefer a firmer texture, ensure that you refrigerate the dough for at least 3 hours. For an even firmer consistency, you can place it in the freezer for a short period before serving.
Can I add other mix-ins?
Certainly! Feel free to get creative by adding ingredients like chopped nuts, dried fruit, or shredded coconut to customize the flavor and texture to your liking.
How long does this cookie dough last?
When stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, the cookie dough will remain fresh for up to 2 weeks. For extended storage, freeze portions for up to 3 months.
Conclusion
This Protein Cottage Cheese Cookie Dough is a delightful fusion of taste and nutrition. Its high protein content and customizable nature make it a perfect snack or dessert for those seeking healthier indulgence. Whether enjoyed straight from the fridge or after a brief chill in the freezer, this treat is sure to satisfy your sweet tooth while keeping your dietary goals on track.
Print
Protein Cottage Cheese Cookie Dough
- Prep Time: 7 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 hours
- Total Time: 3 hours 7 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Dessert, Snack
- Method: No-Bake
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Indulge in a guilt-free, high-protein treat with this Protein Cottage Cheese Cookie Dough! Made with creamy blended cottage cheese, almond flour, protein powder, and dark chocolate chips, this no-bake recipe is a low-carb, refined sugar-free dessert that’s both delicious and nourishing. Customize it with your favorite mix-ins for endless variations!
Ingredients
2 cups full-fat cottage cheese
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
¼ cup maple syrup
2 cups almond flour (avoid superfine almond flour)
½ cup protein powder (vanilla or peanut butter flavor recommended)
1 cup dark chocolate chips
Instructions
- Blend Wet Ingredients: In a high-powered blender, combine cottage cheese, vanilla extract, and maple syrup. Blend until smooth.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, stir together almond flour and protein powder until combined.
- Combine: Pour the blended cottage cheese mixture into the dry ingredients. Use a spatula to mix until a dough forms.
- Fold in Chocolate Chips: Gently mix in the dark chocolate chips until evenly distributed.
- Chill: Transfer the dough to an airtight container and refrigerate for at least 3 hours to firm up.
- Serve: Once chilled, scoop out portions and enjoy!
Notes
- Nut-Free Option: Swap almond flour for ½ cup coconut flour and ensure protein powder and chocolate chips are nut-free.
- Sweetener Alternatives: Replace maple syrup with honey or omit if protein powder is already sweetened.
- Extra Firmness: Refrigerate for at least 3 hours or freeze briefly before serving.
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