Cottage Cheese Ice Cream is a cool, creamy treat that’s a bit tangy. It’s made with cottage cheese, which makes it a bit healthier than regular ice cream. It’s smooth, tasty, and perfect for anyone looking for something sweet but not too heavy. It’s a fun and different way to enjoy ice cream!
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Calling all ice cream lovers with a healthy twist! Have you heard of Cottage Cheese Ice Cream? It’s a delicious and easy-to-make frozen treat that’s packed with protein. All you need is some cottage cheese, honey, and your favorite mix-ins. Blend it up, freeze it for a few hours, and voila! You’ve got a creamy, refreshing scoop of goodness.
We love making this healthier ice cream for the kids! It is a great treat all year long, especially in the summertime. It is also easy enough to have your kids help you make it!
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- This cottage cheese ice cream is quick and easy to make.
- No fancy machine is needed! Just blend it up with a blender or food processor.
- Packed with protein to keep you feeling full, unlike sugary store-bought ice cream.
- Perfect after a workout or for an afternoon pick-me-up.
- Get creative! Make it chocolate chip, fruity, or anything you love.
- Kids and picky eaters love this!
- This recipe takes only 5 minutes to blend together.
- It comes out super creamy and decadent!
- This homemade ice cream is higher in protein and contains no refined sugar. It is naturally sweetened with honey.
- Check out this Homemade Strawberry Ice Cream recipe for another summer favorite dessert!
Ingredients & Substitutes
These are the main ingredients and substitutions for homemade cottage cheese ice cream. Scroll down to the recipe card below for the entire ingredient list and directions.
Use full-fat cottage cheese for the creamiest texture.
To sweeten this ice cream, use honey, pure maple syrup, or date syrup.
A little vanilla adds a delicious flavor.
Sea salt balances out the sweetness.
Lastly, pitted dates add a delicious caramel flavor.
![Ingredients for cottage cheese ice cream.](https://www.100daysofrealfood.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/2024-06-09_18-31-01_580-800x1200.jpeg)
Taste & Texture
Don’t worry, it doesn’t taste like cottage cheese! This ice cream is smooth and creamy, just like regular ice cream.
The yummy flavors you add hide the slight tang of cottage cheese.
This recipe tastes like salted caramel ice cream!
How to Make
Step 1
To begin, add the cottage cheese, honey, vanilla extract, and sea salt to your blender or food processor.
Step 2
Blend until completely creamy. If necessary, use a spatula to scrape down the sides of your blender.
![Whipped creamy mix.](https://www.100daysofrealfood.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/2024-06-09_18-44-23_960-800x1200.jpeg)
Step 3
Next, add in the pitted dates. Blend until the dates reach your desired consistency. The longer you blend, the smaller they become.
![Creamy mixture in food processor.](https://www.100daysofrealfood.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/2024-06-09_18-52-01_780-800x1200.jpeg)
Step 4
Transfer into a bowl or bread pan and drizzle with more honey. For soft serve, freeze for 1 hour. For hard ice cream, freeze for at least 4 hours.
![Healthy ice cream with honey.](https://www.100daysofrealfood.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/2024-06-09_18-59-19_080-800x1200.jpeg)
Step 5
Lastly, take it out of the freezer. If needed, allow it to sit at room temperature for a few minutes before scooping!
![Honey frozen dessert.](https://www.100daysofrealfood.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/2024-06-09_20-20-10_140-2024-06-10T01_37_16.658-800x1200.jpeg)
Expert Tips for Success
Follow these tips and tricks to make the best cottage cheese ice cream!
For the creamiest consistency, use full-fat cottage cheese. Low-fat versions work too, but the texture might be slightly more icy.
Blend until smooth and creamy. You may need to scrape down the sides of your blender with a spatula.
Feel free to leave the dates a little chunky instead of blending them completely.
The longer this ice cream freezes, the harder it will become.
For soft serve, freeze for about an hour. For traditional ice cream, freeze for at least 4 hours.
Flavor Variations & Add-Ins
There are so many fun ways to make this cottage cheese ice cream!
Mix in berries such as strawberries, raspberries, or blueberries for a fruity treat.
Stir in chocolate chips or chunks for a classic flavor.
Add cinnamon, cardamom, or nutmeg for a warm flavor.
Lemon or lime zest can bring a refreshing zest to your ice cream.
![Scoop of cottage cheese ice cream.](https://www.100daysofrealfood.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/2024-06-09_20-41-26_950-2024-06-10T01_37_24.607-800x1200.jpeg)
How to Serve & Store
Serve this cottage cheese ice cream garnished with fresh fruit or chocolate sauce. It is delicious with a warm brownie!
We also love making them into ice cream sandwiches with our cookies!
For storing, keep the ice cream in an airtight container and place it in the back of your freezer to minimize exposure to air and temperature changes, which can lead to ice crystals forming.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Yes! Blend all the ingredients until smooth, then freeze in a shallow dish. Stir every hour to help break up ice crystals, until it’s uniformly frozen.
While it’s certainly healthier due to lower fat and higher protein, portion control is key, as with all treats.
No, this ice cream does not taste like cottage cheese. It is shockingly similar to regular ice cream!
Yes, you can easily substitute traditional sugar with honey, maple syrup, or your preferred natural sweeteners, adjusting to taste.
![Brownie with melted ice cream.](https://www.100daysofrealfood.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/2024-06-09_20-42-26_410-800x1200.jpeg)
Equipment Needed
Vitamix Blender: We use this high powered blender for blending this cottage cheese ice cream!
Check out all of our Kitchen Favorites!
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