If you’re looking for a sweet treat that feels indulgent but sneaks in a little protein boost, this Strawberry Cottage Cheese Cookie Dough is for you! A festive Valentine’s Day version of the viral cottage cheese cookie dough made with freeze-dried strawberries and studded with chocolate chips. It comes together in minutes with no baking required, and it makes for a delicious, healthy dessert that’s pretty in pink!
We fell in love with the viral cottage cheese cookie dough last Fall, and it was about time for it to make a comeback for Valentine’s Day! I wanted to develop a new, festive flavor that would be perfect for your love day celebration. The first flavor I tested was red velvet and it was pretty good, but this strawberry cottage cheese cookie dough beat it out by a landslide.
I’m lovingly calling this “chocolate covered strawberry protein cookie dough” and seriously hoping that it’ll make an appearance on your Valentine’s Day menu! It’s easy to whip up, with no cook time, just a handful of simple wholesome ingredients and about 10 minutes of prep time. It gets its bright strawberry flavor from freeze-dried strawberries, protein from blended cottage cheese and protein powder, and healthy fats from almond flour. And of course, it’s not complete without some chocolate chips!
This strawberry cottage cheese cookie dough is a great healthier alternative, that’s naturally gluten free, grain free, higher in protein and lower in sugar than a traditional dessert. You can also prep a big batch of this stuff to leave in your fridge whenever you just need a little sweet treat! Hope you guys have a lovely Valentine’s Day…and let me know what flavor I should make next!
Why You’ll Love this Strawberry Cottage Cheese Cookie Dough
- It’s made with freeze-dried strawberries for a strong strawberry flavor!
- It’s loaded with protein from the cottage cheese, almond flour & protein powder.
- This cottage cheese cookie dough is gluten free, grain free & refined sugar free.
- It’s a no-bake recipe that anyone can whip up in just 10 minutes!
- This is the perfect healthier addition to your Valentine’s Day menu.
What You Need to Make this Strawberry Cottage Cheese Cookie Dough
- Cottage Cheese: The secret ingredient in this protein cookie dough is cottage cheese…just trust me on this! I recommend full-fat plain and Hood or Good Culture are two great brands.
- Maple Syrup: This strawberry cottage cheese cookie dough is sweetened naturally with maple syrup. Feel free to add more as desired.
- Freeze-Dried Strawberries: The key to a strong strawberry flavor and a beautiful light pink color is ground freeze-dried strawberries, which you can make by blending or food processing freeze-dried strawberries, or just buy it in powder form!
- Vanilla Extract: Or vanilla bean paste.
- Red Gel Food Coloring: This is completely optional, as the cookie dough will still be lightly pink from the freeze-dried strawberries, but if you want to make it more vibrant in color, add some gel food coloring!
- Kosher Salt: Just a pinch, to enhance all the other flavors.
- Almond Flour: The base of this protein cookie dough is almond flour, which is a great gluten & grain free option that’s naturally high in protein and healthy fats.
- Vanilla Protein Powder: My favorite is this vegan one from Wellious, which is made from simple ingredients and sweetened naturally with monkfruit. If you substitute a protein powder that isn’t very sweet, you may need to add 1 more tablespoon of maple syrup.
- Chocolate Chips: Either regular or mini chocolate chips! Dark or semi-sweet are both great here. Be sure to use one like Hu if you need this recipe to be strictly refined sugar free.
How To Make this Strawberry Protein Cookie Dough
Blend the Cottage Cheese, Freeze-Dried Strawberries & Maple Syrup:
First, add cottage cheese, maple syrup, vanilla extract, freeze-dried strawberries, kosher salt & red food coloring (if using) to a food processor or blender with a tamper stick. Blend until smooth, scraping down the sides as needed.
Add in Flours & Protein Powder:
Next, pour blended strawberry cottage cheese mixture into a medium bowl and add in the almond flour & protein powder and stir until combined. The dough should be pretty thick, but if you’d like it thicker you can add a bit more almond flour or protein powder.
Stir in Chocolate Chips & Enjoy:
Finally, fold in the chocolate chips. Enjoy right away, or let chill in the fridge until you’re ready to eat.
Substitution FAQs:
- I don’t like cottage cheese, what can I use instead? You can’t even tell this protein cookie dough is made with cottage cheese, especially because it’s blended, but if you really can’t handle it, try substituting an equal amount of full-fat plain greek yogurt or skyr…the thicker the better!
- Can I make this pumpkin cookie dough dairy free? I have not tested a dairy free version of this recipe, but it would likely work by substituting a thick dairy free yogurt such as Siggi’s Plant Based. Let me know if you try!
- What type of protein powder do you suggest? I personally use this vegan one from Wellious, which is made from a handful of simple ingredients & sweetened with monkfruit. You can use any protein powder that you prefer, but if it’s not sweetened, you may need to add a bit more maple syrup.
How Should I Store Leftover Strawberry Cottage Cheese Cookie Dough?
This strawberry cottage cheese cookie dough is a great healthy sweet treat to prep in advance and keep in the fridge for whenever you have a sweet tooth! You can store it in an airtight container in the fridge for about 5 days. It will thicken up slightly when refrigerated.
Find the full recipe below. As always, please let me know if you tried it by commenting below or tagging me on Instagram, @munchinwithmaddie_.
Looking for more Healthy Sweet Treats?
- Strawberry Snack Cake
- Sweet Potato Tahini Brownies
- Banana Chocolate Chunk Muffins
- Protein Pumpkin Cookie Dough
- Gluten Free Berry Crisp
Strawberry Cottage Cheese Cookie Dough
Equipment
- kitchen scale (optional)
- Food Processor or blender with tamper stick
- medium bowl
- spatula
Ingredients
- 8 oz plain cottage cheese (I recommend full-fat)
- ⅓ cup ground freeze-dried strawberries (17g)*
- 2 tbsp maple syrup (30ml)
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- pinch of kosher salt
- red gel food coloring optional
- 1 cup almond flour (96g)
- ¼ cup vanilla protein powder (35g)**
- ½ cup chocolate chips
Instructions
- First, add cottage cheese, maple syrup, vanilla extract, freeze-dried strawberries, kosher salt & red food coloring (if using) to a food processor or blender with a tamper stick. Blend until smooth, scraping down the sides as needed.8 oz plain cottage cheese, 2 tbsp maple syrup, ½ tsp vanilla extract, ⅓ cup ground freeze-dried strawberries, red gel food coloring, pinch of kosher salt
- Pour blended strawberry cottage cheese mixture into a medium bowl and add in the almond flour & protein powder and stir until combined. The dough should be pretty thick, but feel free to add more almond flour or protein powder if you'd like it even thicker!1 cup almond flour, ¼ cup vanilla protein powder
- Finally, fold in the chocolate chips. Enjoy right away, or let chill in the fridge until you're ready to eat.½ cup chocolate chips
Video
Notes
Did you make this recipe?
Please let me know how it turned out for you! Leave a comment below and tag @munchinwithmaddie_ on Instagram and/or hashtag it #munchinwithmaddie.