Cookies and Cream Cottage Cheese Ice Cream

Sometimes something tastes way better than it sounds. Using simple ingredients, this cottage cheese ice cream gives traditional ice cream a run for its money! 

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Cottage Cheese Ice Cream

Like most folks, I bet you're coming into this skeptically based on the title. Maybe you're not the biggest fan of cottage cheese. Even if you are, these different variations You're asking reasonable questions: why can't we just have regular ice cream? Won't cottage cheese ice cream taste weird?

It's a fair skepticism. Of course, there's a reason ice cream's so popular the way it is, and there's certainly no need to mess with anything. But sometimes fooling around and trying to approach recipes in a different way brings about some unexpected results. 

One of these is cottage cheese ice cream. You make it with a food processor or a high-speed blender. You use four simple ingredients. And you come out with a tangy, refreshing treat with a creamy texture that couldn't be easier to make. No ice cream maker required!

Plus, you're making an alternative to regular ice cream, which means that you can try flavor combinations and favorite toppings that speak to you. In this post, I'm going to highlight cookies and cream, but think of everything else you could put on this: chocolate chips, graham crackers, fresh fruit... you're limited by your imagination here.

Finally, the result of this is a recipe with 19 grams of protein per serving. 19! A high-protein dessert option made with natural sweeteners might just be the best part of the summer (or anytime you want to make this) 

Cookies and Cream Ice Cream Ingredients

Cottage cheese is a more versatile ingredient than many may realize, and it can be blended into a smooth texture that's perfect for satisfying that ice cream craving. It offers a tangy flavor that combines so well with your favorite mix ins. When viral food trends like this come around, I'm always curious to see what's drawing people to it. 

After making this recipe my own and eating it a few times, I can see there's a good reason to be trying this regularly. This stuff is the real deal!

Below I provide the ingredients and instructions for two versions of this simple recipe. One of them uses full-fat cottage cheese, and the other uses nonfat cottage cheese for a slightly lower fat and lower sugar version. You can make either one in a couple of minutes. 

Because the recipe only has 4 main ingredients, finding low-sugar or sugar-free substitutes is an easy way to modify the recipe for your nutritional goals. While using whole milk cottage cheese may provide the ideal flavor and creamier texture, the modified version also tastes excellent, which is why I'm including it here! Either way you try it, this will go toe-to-toe with any homemade ice cream you put against it, especially when you see how quick it is to prepare!

Original Cottage Cheese Ice Cream

• 4% cottage cheese (full fat cottage cheese or whole milk cottage cheese)
• maple syrup
• oreo cookies
• cool whip
• toppings: extra oreo cookies

Lower Fat / Lower Sugar Version Cottage Cheese Ice Cream

• nonfat cottage cheese
• low sugar maple syrup
• oreo thins
• nonfat cool whip
• toppings: extra oreo cookies

Substitutions

• I used 4% milkfat cottage cheese but you can use any fat level
• Maple syrup is my sweetener of choice, but you can experiment with other options (honey, agave, even light corn syrup) 
• Add any amount of oreo or other cookie
• Whipped cream is just for fun, could make without

How to make ice cream with cottage cheese

• Add the cottage cheese and syrup to a blender.
• Blend on high until smooth and creamy consistency.
• Add oreos and whipped cream, pulse until lightly crumbled.
• Pour the ice cream mixture into a small loaf pan or similar. (You could also pour back into the empty cottage cheese container).
• Place in the freezer for about 4 hours.
• Scoop into small bowl and top with extra oreo cookies. Enjoy!
• Note: Nutrition of both versions is in the notes section of the recipe card.

Is cottage cheese ice cream healthier than ice cream?

This ice cream is still a dessert—it's not something you want to stack up for three meals a day to try to reach your nutritional goals. However, either one of these recipes is lower in fat and sugar than a standard ice cream recipe, so it may be a good alternative for someone wanting to cater to their sweet tooth but looking to reduce the intake of those. 

As I already mentioned, this recipe is quite high in protein (either 18 or 19 g protein depending on which one you choose). Not too many ice cream recipes can claim that. So while a dessert isn't going to come in and cure all of your health problems (that really would be the perfect dessert...), this one can absolutely fit into a healthy eating plan.

Want more recipes?

I'm thankful you took a look at my recipe! If you tried it and liked it, consider leaving a positive review and sharing it with friends. It really helps! Here are some more Jordo's World favorites you might like: