Cottage Cheese Cookie Dough Recipe

This is the ultimate in protein-filled Cottage Cheese Cookie Dough Recipe. Gluten-free, egg-free, and with no refined sugars, it comes together in just 10 minutes using only 7 ingredients.
Cottage cheese, without a doubt, is trending these days, and I am here for it! First, cottage cheese ice cream took off; now, cottage cheese cookie dough is getting its own moment in the spotlight, courtesy of Jake Cohen’s fantastic recipe. I just posted my take on cottage cheese cookies, inspired by this recipe, so it only seemed right to bring the original cookie dough recipe to the blog!

Why You’ll Like This Recipe

Loaded with Protein: Each serving comes with a good 14 grams of protein!
A Healthier Treat: Enjoy the classic cookie dough experience with a nutritious twist: a sweet indulgence to feel good about.
Quick & Easy: No baking or fancy steps needed! You’ll be done in about 10 minutes with just 7 basic ingredients.
For all ages: A great show for both the young and old – it is enjoyed by all!

Ingredients Needed

Cottage Cheese: The star of the show! Feel free to use any kind you like, but if you are using small curd, you may need to use less almond flour as it has less liquid. I like to use whole milk Good Culture cottage cheese. For the best texture, go with 4% milkfat cottage cheese. And since cottage cheese has a higher sodium level, there’s no need for added salt here.

Maple Syrup: A hint of wholesome sweetness is perfect with two tablespoons doing the trick.

Vanilla Extract: That old stand-by cookie dough flavor.

Almond Flour: A healthy, grain-free, and gluten-free flour. Use Bob’s Red Mill Super Fine Almond Flour-the best.

Peanut Butter: Nutty goodness in the dough. Good protein and healthy fats can also be added to a favorite nut or seed butter instead.

Vanilla Protein Powder: Increase the protein and the flavor. I love Nuzest protein powder (use code eatingbirdfood for 15% off) or Sun Warrior Vanilla Warrior Blend.

Chocolate Chips: No cookie dough is complete without chocolate chips! I used Lily’s dark chocolate chips, which are sweetened with stevia and low in sugar, but you can use any brand you prefer.

How to Make Cottage Cheese Cookie Dough Recipe

Blend: Combine the cottage cheese, maple syrup, and vanilla extract in a blender or food processor. Blend until the mixture is smooth and creamy.

Mix: Transfer the blended cottage cheese mixture to a medium mixing bowl. Add the almond flour, protein powder, and peanut butter, stirring until well combined. Gently fold in the chocolate chips. Enjoy immediately, or store in the fridge for a chilled treat!

Substitutions & Notes

• Almond Flour: This recipe was only tested with almond flour, so other flours like oat or coconut may not yield the same texture.
• Peanut Butter: Substitute with any nut or seed butter, like cashew, almond, tahini, or sunflower seed butter. Note: tahini and sunflower seed butter will slightly change the flavor.
• Maple Syrup: Swap with another liquid sweetener, such as honey or agave, if desired.
• Protein Powder: If you prefer not to use protein powder, try increasing the almond flour to 1 ¼ cups as a substitute.
• Mix-ins: Experiment with nuts, seeds, or dried fruits for added crunch, or try different chocolate chips like dark, butterscotch, or white.

How to Eat Cottage Cheese Cookie Dough

Straight Up: Dig in with a spoon for a tasty, protein-packed snack or dessert.

Sundae Style: Use an ice cream scoop to serve the dough, and drizzle with melted chocolate for a sundae treat.

Cookie Dough Balls: Roll into tablespoon-sized balls, and optionally dip in chocolate. You can freeze them for a quick, chilled snack.

Dip: Add almond milk (around ¼ cup) to thin the dough into a dip. Serve with apple slices, strawberries, bananas, or graham crackers.

Parfait: Layer with Greek yogurt and fresh berries for a parfait—a perfect breakfast idea!

Can I Make Cookies With This Recipe?

While this dough is intended to be enjoyed raw, you can bake a similar version! Try my recipe for cottage cheese cookies for a baked alternative.

Tips for Making the Best Cottage Cheese Cookie Dough

1. Choose the Right Cottage Cheese: Opt for a whole milk cottage cheese, ideally with 4% milkfat, for a richer texture. If using small curd, keep an eye on the dough’s consistency, as it has less liquid and may require a bit less almond flour.
2. Blend Until Smooth: For a creamy, lump-free base, blend the cottage cheese mixture thoroughly. This will ensure a smooth texture that mimics traditional cookie dough.
3. Adjust Sweetness to Taste: If you prefer a sweeter dough, feel free to add a touch more maple syrup, or mix in some stevia or honey to taste.
4. Customize with Mix-ins: Experiment with add-ins like chopped nuts, shredded coconut, or different types of chocolate chips. You can even try dried fruit, like cranberries or raisins, for extra flavor and texture.
5. Get Creative with Nut Butters: While peanut butter adds a delicious nutty flavor, cashew butter, almond butter, or sunflower seed butter can offer different taste profiles. Each will slightly change the flavor of the dough.
6. Protein Powder Quality Matters: Use a high-quality vanilla protein powder, as it significantly impacts both flavor and protein content. Avoid protein powders with strong artificial flavors to keep the dough tasting natural.
7. Chill for a Firmer Texture: If you prefer a firmer cookie dough, refrigerate it for 10-15 minutes before enjoying. This can help the dough thicken and set, giving it that classic cookie dough consistency.
8. Try Different Serving Ideas: For extra indulgence, try drizzling with melted chocolate, rolling into balls, or serving with sliced fruits for dipping.
9. Use High-Quality Chocolate Chips: For the best flavor, use quality chocolate chips or even chopped dark chocolate. Stevia-sweetened options, like Lily’s, are a great low-sugar alternative.
10. Freeze for Longer Storage: This dough freezes well in bite-sized portions, so make extra and store it in the freezer for a quick treat! Simply roll into balls, freeze on a baking sheet, and store in a freezer-safe container.

FAQS For Cottage Cheese Cookie Dough Recipe

1. Do I have to use specific cottage cheese, or will any do?
You can use either large or small curd, but the small curd may use less almond flour because of its lower liquid content. For best texture and flavor, use whole-milk cottage cheese that contains 4% milk fat.

2. Can I make this recipe dairy-free?
Yes, you may use a dairy-free replacement such as almond or coconut yogurt instead of cottage cheese. Its flavor and texture will be pretty different, though.

3. What if I do not have almond flour?
Almond flour is the most suitable for this recipe because of its texture; however, if you want to experiment, you can actually use oat flour. The texture can be different, and even the dough may be very dense with other flours.

4. Can I omit the protein powder?
Yes! If you want to omit the protein powder, you could add another ¼ cup of almond flour to still keep the dough at the right consistency.

5. How should I store this cookie dough?
Store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week. For longer storage, freeze the dough in small scoops or balls; they’ll keep in the freezer for up to 3 months.

6. Can I use a different sweetener instead of maple syrup?
Absolutely! You can substitute the maple syrup with honey or agave to be as sweet as that or even sugar-free syrup and a few drops of liquid stevia if you need a bit sweeter!

7. Can I bake cookies from this dough?
Well, technically, this is a no-bake edible cookie dough, but for all of you bakers, don’t worry, if you still want a delicious version baked, check out my cottage cheese cookie recipe.

8. How would you like to enjoy this cookie dough?
In the bowl, where it lives, just dipping straight in
Form it into cookie dough bites, just the right size
Make a dessert parfait by using it as a topping for fruit or graham crackers
To make a dip, thin out the dough with almond milk, then serve with fruits or graham crackers

9. Can I add mix-ins other than chocolate chips?
Yes! Feel free to add in nuts, seeds, dried fruits, or other flavored chips such as butterscotch or white chocolate for additional variety and flavor.

10. Is this recipe suitable for kids?
Absolutely! It’s a fun, healthy treat for kids and adults alike and is easy to make together as a family.