Name: Cottage Cheese Ice Cream with Brown Butter and Vanilla
Prep time: 5 h 10 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 5 h 15 min
Ingredients: 2 cups full-fat creamy cottage cheese*; 1/3 cup honey; 1 tsp vanilla; 2 tablespoons salted butter

High Protein Cottage Cheese Ice Cream

You’ll love this recipe because it’s high in protein, requires only four simple ingredients, and does not require churning. So, you do not need an ice cream maker! A half-cup serving of this cottage cheese ice cream has 12 grams of protein, making it a healthy and balanced sweet snack.

Cottage cheese, honey, and vanilla extract in a blender before adding brown butter

Cottage cheese, honey, vanilla, and cooled brown butter in a blender, ready to blend

Smooth and blended cottage cheese ice cream mixture in a blender after combining all ingredients

Cottage cheese ice cream mixture poured into a metal loaf pan before freezing

What’s the Hype with Cottage Cheese?

Cottage cheese has gained popularity in recent years due to several key factors:

Nutritional Profile:
- High Protein: Cottage cheese is an excellent source of protein, which is essential for muscle repair, growth, and overall health. The protein content makes it a popular choice for fitness enthusiasts and those looking to increase their protein intake.
- Low in Calories: It is relatively low in calories, making it a good option for those trying to manage their weight.
- Rich in Nutrients: Cottage cheese provides essential nutrients such as calcium, phosphorus, selenium, and B vitamins.

Versatility: Cottage cheese can be used in various dishes, both sweet and savory. It can be eaten on its own, mixed with fruits or vegetables, added to smoothies, used as a topping for salads or toast, or incorporated into recipes like pancakes, dips, and casseroles.
Digestive Health: Cottage cheese contains probiotics, especially if you make it at home using cultures, which can support gut health by promoting a healthy balance of gut bacteria.
Satiety: Cottage cheese’s high protein content can make you feel fuller for longer, aiding in weight management and reducing overall calorie intake.
Dietary Trends: Cottage cheese is well-suited to several popular dietary trends, such as low-carb, high-protein, and ketogenic diets. Its nutritional profile makes it a suitable option for these diets.
Convenience: It is a convenient and quick snack option requiring little preparation. This makes it an attractive choice for busy individuals seeking a nutritious snack.
Health Benefits: Regular consumption of cottage cheese can contribute to muscle maintenance, bone health (due to its calcium content), and overall nutritional balance.

These factors combined have contributed to the growing popularity and “hype” around cottage cheese.

Does Cottage Cheese Ice Cream Taste Good?

Yes! The flavor is sweet and creamy, reminiscent of cheesecake. If you like cheesecake, you’ll love the taste of this cottage cheese ice cream. Because cottage cheese is so thick and creamy, it maintains a great texture even as it starts to melt.

Brown Butter and Vanilla Cottage Cheese Ice Cream

Here is everything you need to make brown butter and vanilla cottage cheese ice cream:

Cottage Cheese: This is the crucial ingredient! I love to use my homemade cottage cheese. If I don’t have homemade cottage cheese, I love the extra creamy Good Culture brand from the store. If you are lactose intolerant, you can also use Cood Culture lactose free cottage cheese.
Honey: Raw local honey is best for this recipe, but pure maple syrup works well, too. I’ve also tested with date and agave syrup, and all are awesome!
Brown Butter: Brown butter is lightly toasted butter. I suggest using salted butter to make the brown butter, but unsalted works, too, especially if you’re watching your salt consumption.
Vanilla: We love vanilla ice cream, so vanilla extract adds a perfect vanilla ice cream flavor.
Blender: You can use a blender or a food processor. I love using my Vitamix to make cottage cheese ice cream because it makes it velvety smooth.
Loaf Pan: Freezing the ice cream in a loaf pan makes it super easy to scoop.

How to Store Cottage Cheese Ice Cream

In the freezer: Transfer the cottage cheese ice cream to an airtight container and store it in the freezer for up to three months. Cover the surface with a plastic wrap before sealing the container to prevent ice crystals from forming.

Thawing: Allow the ice cream to sit in the fridge for 45 minutes before scooping. This will make it easier to scoop and provide a creamier texture. You can also dip your ice cream scoop in hot water to make it easier.

More Ways to Flavor

Instead of brown butter and vanilla, you can try another flavor combination! Here are some of my favorites:

Peanut Butter Chocolate: Use the recipe below, but instead of brown butter, add peanut butter and 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder.
Strawberry: To make strawberry ice cream, replace the brown butter and half the honey in the recipe with strawberry jam! Alternatively, you can keep the recipe the same but blend in some frozen fruit for a lower-sugar option.
Coffee: Add a shot of espresso instead of the brown butter, and you’ll have a deliciously creamy coffee ice cream.
Mint Chocolate Chip: Instead of vanilla and brown butter, you can substitute it with mint extract and mini chocolate chips.
Fruit Cobbler: I make various sourdough fruit cobblers every summer, like peach cobbler and blackberry cobbler. If I have leftovers, I love to crumble them and stir them into the cottage cheese ice cream before freezing.

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