Cottage cheese may not immediately come to mind as a dessert ingredient, but this dairy source may surprise you.
Its creamy, smooth texture blends seamlessly in brownies, cake, cookies, and homemade ice cream. Meanwhile, its mild, slightly tangy taste offers a neutral backdrop to various flavors and mix ins.
Using cottage cheese instead of cream cheese or heavy cream in desserts can also make your favorite treats more nutritious. For example, 1 cup of heavy cream contains 823 calories, 4.9 grams (g) of protein, and 146 milligrams (mg) of calcium, plus 85.3 g of fat (49 g from saturated) and 7 g of sugar.On the other hand, a cup of low-fat cottage cheese provides just 163 calories, 2.3 g of fat, and 6 g of sugar but packs 28 g of protein and 138 mg of bone-building calcium.
That protein boost may help you feel more satisfied. Research suggests that protein promotes the release of gut hormones that regulate appetite and satiety. This can be a plus for weight management (as you may feel more satisfied with less of that sweet treat).
Here are seven ways to incorporate cottage cheese into dessert.
All Everyday Health recipes meet expert-developed nutrient goals, considering several dietary guidelines. Learn more about the methodology behind why the recipes on this list are healthy.
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