Cottage Cheese Ice Cream is a super easy recipe for young chefs to make. This trendy frozen treat has taken the internet by storm, combining the velvety smoothness of ice cream with the surprising tang of cottage cheese. Our version features mini chocolate chips and honey.
Cottage cheese has its own unique taste, and when we turn it into ice cream, that flavor shines through. But here’s the fun part: cottage cheese also loves to pick up the flavors of the delicious add-ins we’re going to use!
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Why You Need To Try This Viral Ice Cream
It’s delicious! You are able to customize the flavor of this cottage cheese recipe by featuring your favorite ice cream flavors and/or toppings. From classics like vanilla and chocolate to satisfying your taste buds with our chocolate chip option.
It’s protein packed! Cottage cheese is known for being an excellent source of protein. By incorporating into ice cream, you not only benefit from the creaminess of cottage cheese, but you can pack in 9g of protein per serving. This is a super easy way to ensure the whole family meets their daily needs, especially picky eaters!
It’s kid-friendly! This is one of the best frozen desserts to consider serving poolside, at birthday parties or slumber parties. Whether you choose to serve a single flavor or create a toppings bar for customization, kids won’t even know they are eating a recipe that uses cottage cheese! It’s refreshing and kids will absolutely love each and every bite.
What Does Whipped Cottage Cheese Taste Like?
You get the best of both worlds when whipping cottage cheese for ice cream. It has the saltiness that cottage cheese is known for but quickly picks up the flavor profile of the sweet ingredients. The combination of vanilla, honey and chocolate flavors are highlighted with every bite.
Even those that steer away from cottage cheese due to the texture, enjoy whipped cottage cheese recipes. The smooth and creamy texture make it irresistible. Consider incorporating blended cottage cheese into recipes as a lighter alternative to cream cheese or other creamy ingredients.
Ingredients
The balance of ingredients is what takes cottage cheese to the next level. The versatility of cottage cheese allows you to swap ingredients as needed to create a cottage cheese dessert that is full of flavor.
- Cottage cheese – we recommend full fat cottage cheese for a creamier ice cream. Low fat cottage cheese can be less desirable in texture and flavor due to the higher water content.
- Honey – adds the perfect amount of sweetness to balance out the tanginess of the cottage cheese. It can be substituted with another alternative sweetener such as maple syrup or agave if preferred.
- Vanilla – vanilla or almond extract can be used to compliment the semi-sweet chocolate chips.
- Mini chocolate chips – semi-sweet, milk or dark chocolate chips can be used. Butterscotch chips are also great alternative.
How To Make Ice Cream with Cottage Cheese
Puree the ingredients
Add the cottage cheese, honey, and vanilla to the food processor. Puree until smooth. Add the chocolate chips then stir in by hand.
Freeze
Add the cottage cheese mixture to a loaf pan. Cover with plastic wrap and freeze for at least 4 hours.
Cottage Cheese Ice Cream Flavors
Chocolate chip is only one of the many flavors your kids can pick from! It can be really fun as parents to watch out little ones get creative and experiment with various combinations.
For inspiration, here are delicious flavors to consider:
- Vanilla – a classic flavor that is creamy and compliments any ice cream topping.
- Chocolate – blend in a tablespoon of cocoa powder or drizzle in chocolate syrup to create a rich flavor.
- Cheesecake – combine the cottage cheese with fresh fruit and graham cracker crumbs to make strawberry, blueberry, blackberry or banana cheesecake-flavored ice cream.
- Mini Chocolate Chip – keep with this recipe and add a splash of mint extract to infuse a favorite flavor.
- Cookies & Cream – swap the chocolate chips for gluten-free crushed Oreos.
- Coffee Chip – add cold-brew coffee into the food processor or pour coffee on top of a scoop of ice cream.
Toppings
Not only can you make the flavor of the ice cream to your liking, you can change up the ice cream toppings! Toppings are a fantastic way to enhance the flavor, texture and creativity of this creamed cottage cheese.
Here are popular toppings to try:
- Caramel or chocolate sauce
- Storebought or homemade whipped cream
- Sprinkles
- Mini marshmallows
- Chopped nuts or nut butter
- Fresh fruit
- Crushed graham crackers
- Coconut
- M&Ms or other chocolate candies
Expert Tips & Tricks
- Plan accordingly for serving as it can take anywhere from 30 minutes up to 1 hour for the ice cream to thaw and scoop depending on the depth of the container.
- To prevent freezer burn, place the ice cream in the coldest part of the freezer and minimize the number of times that you thaw and refreeze the dessert.
- Blend well to eliminate any lumps and create the desired creamy consistency.
- Serve in a bowl with or without toppings, stuffed between two gluten-free cookies or blended into a milkshake.
Frequently Asked Questions
Low fat cottage cheese can be used to make a low fat ice cream. For best results, press plastic wrap firmly on top of the ice cream before freezing and minimize the number of times the leftovers are refrozen. Low fat cottage cheese is more likely to create ice crystals and be less creamy so be mindful if a specific consistency is desired.
Yes! It is a great option if you are buying cottage cheese in bulk or need to freeze a container to extend the shelf life. The cottage cheese will need to be transferred to an airtight container that leaves room for expansion. The texture may be altered when thawed but it can be stirred or blended into a recipe like ice cream.
Ice cream is only one of the ways to feature cottage cheese. It can also be added in savory recipes like our Meatless Baked Spaghetti or blended into a sweet smoothie like our Cottage Cheese Smoothie.
Storage Instructions
Cottage cheese ice cream should be stored in the freezer until you are ready to thaw and eat.
Transfer the ice cream into a loaf pan or freezer-safe dish. This dish should be tightly covered with plastic wrap or a lid to prevent ice crystals from building up during storage.
It can be helpful to label the container with the flavor if making multiple and the date it was prepared. The ice cream can be kept in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Kids In The Kitchen
Cooking tips and suggestions for kids making this recipe.
- Add the cottage cheese, honey and vanilla extract to the food processor. Puree by pulsing or turning the processor on high until smooth. Always give the ice cream a stir before tossing in the chocolate chips in case there are lumps. Ingredients like the chocolate chips, candies or crushed cookies are best when stirred into the mixture after it’s pureed.
- Once you pour the ice cream into the loaf pan, use plastic wrap to seal. The plastic wrap should be touching the top layer of ice cream. If not, gently press with your hands until the ice cream is secure. This prevents freezer burn and keeps the ice cream really creamy.
More Frozen Treats
- Fanta Ice Cream Float
- Watermelon Ice Cream
- 25 Ice Cream Popsicle Recipes
- Frozen Parfaits
- Frozen Strawberry Lemonade
- Frozen Lemonade
- Frozen Cheesecake Bites
CKC Features both Gluten-Free Guidance and Kids Cooking Instructions: If you’re new to eating gluten-free we understand it’s overwhelming trying to figure out which foods may contain gluten and which ones don’t. All of our gluten-free recipes marked with this symbol ✅ represent foods that need to be checked for gluten or cross-contamination.
The ⭐️ symbol in the recipe below denotes the steps in which kid cooks may need a helper (depending on age). If there is no ⭐️ symbol, that step (or recipe) doesn’t require a helper.
Cottage Cheese Ice Cream
Ingredients
- 16 ounces 4% fat cottage cheese ✅
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1 teaspoon vanilla ✅
- 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips ✅
Instructions
- ⭐️Puree the ingredients. Add the cottage cheese, honey, and vanilla to the food processor. Puree until smooth. Add the chocolate chips then stir in by hand.16 ounces 4% fat cottage cheese, 1/4 cup honey, 1 teaspoon vanilla, 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
- Freeze. Add the cottage cheese mixture to a loaf pan. Cover with plastic wrap and freeze for at least 4 hours.
Notes
- Plan accordingly for serving as it can take anywhere from 30 minutes up to 1 hour for the ice cream to thaw and scoop depending on the depth of the container.
- To prevent freezer burn, place the ice cream in the coldest part of the freezer and minimize the number of times that you thaw and refreeze the dessert.
- Blend well to eliminate any lumps and create the desired creamy consistency.
- Serve in a bowl with or without toppings, stuffed between two gluten-free cookies or blended into a milkshake.
Nutrition
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CR7 says
I love this