Cottage Cheese Cheesecake (high-protein, keto, sugar-free)

Name: Cottage Cheese Cheesecake
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 7 h
Yield: 6
Ingredients: 140 g (1 1/2 cups/ 5 oz.) Almond Flour; 30 g (2 tablespoons/ 1 oz.) Butter, melted; 1 egg; 1 tablespoon erythritol or other sweetener; Pinch of salt; 500 g (2 cups/ 17.6 oz.) Dry Curd Cottage Cheese (farmers cheese or tvorog); 120 g (2/3 cup, 4.3 oz.) erythritol; 3 eggs (room temperature); 1-2 teaspoons vanilla extract; 1 tablespoon lemon juice; lemon zest from half of the lemon; pinch of salt; 200 g raspberries (fresh or frozen); 3 tablespoons erythritol or to taste; 1 teaspoon cornstarch + 1 tablespoon cold water

High-Protein Cottage Cheese Cheesecake: your convenient, make-ahead solution for healthy snacking and desserts.

Enjoy a naturally high-protein (17 g of protein in one serving!), low-carb treat (2.6 g net carbs )with an almond flour crust and satisfying cottage cheese filling.

Prepare once and store in the fridge for up to a week, giving you a delicious, guilt-free snack or dessert anytime. It’s sugar-free, low-carb, and diabetic-friendly.

Top with berries or sugar-free jam!

The recipe requires:

8 Ingredients

Active cooking time: 20 minutes

Chill time: 6 hours

Total cooking time: 7 hours

Why you will love this!

High Protein: Helps you feel full and satisfied. 17 g of protein in one serving!
Low Calorie: A healthier alternative to traditional desserts.
Effortless Convenience: Make it ahead and store in the fridge for up to a week.
Ready Anytime: Perfect nutritious snack or dessert on demand.
Satisfying & Delicious: A treat that curbs cravings without guilt.
Sugar-Free & Low-Carb: Fits into diabetic, keto, and low-sugar diets.
Versatile: Enjoy plain or topped with your favorite berries or sugar-free jam.

Cottage Cheese Cheesecake Recipe

Ingredients

To make high-protein cottage cheese cheesecake, you’ll need these 8 simple ingredients*:

For The Almond Flour Crust:

Almond Flour: This gluten-free flour creates a tender and nutty crust.

Butter: Adds richness and helps bind the crust.

Egg: Provides structure and helps the crust hold its shape.

Salt: Enhances the flavors of the other ingredients.

Low-Carb Sweetener: The best sweetener depends on your needs, here are some options:

Allulose: This sweetener is a great choice for those who want the closest match to sugar’s taste and texture. It’s about 70% as sweet as sugar and doesn’t have any aftertaste.
Erythritol: A popular zero-calorie option and my go-to sweetener. Erythritol has a slight cooling effect and can sometimes crystallize. It’s also about 70% as sweet as sugar.
Monk Fruit: This natural, zero-calorie sweetener has a slightly fruity flavor and can be up to 250 times sweeter than sugar. It may have a mild aftertaste for some.
Xylitol: Xylitol offers a clean, sugar-like sweetness and smooth texture. It has a potential cooling effect, similar to erythritol. Important note: Xylitol is toxic to dogs, so keep this in mind if you have furry friends at home.
Stevia: Another natural, zero-calorie option, stevia can have a strong aftertaste, so it’s often best used in blends.It’s incredibly potent, being up to 300 times sweeter than sugar.
Honey/Maple Syrup: While these natural sweeteners add a unique flavor, they contain sugar and will impact your blood sugar levels. They are suitable for a paleo diet, but not for a ketogenic diet.

For The Cottage Cheese Layer:

Full-Fat Cottage Cheese: Opt for plain, full-fat cottage cheese for the richest flavour, creamiest texture, and fewer carbs/lactose than low-fat options. Always check labels to avoid added sugars.

Eggs: Help bind the filling ingredients together, adding volume and ensuring a smooth, cohesive cheesecake texture.

Lemon: Freshly squeezed lemon juice and zest cut through the richness, adding a bright, refreshing, and zesty flavour note.

Low-Carb Sweetener: Sweeten the filling to your liking using your preferred low-carb option. (See detailed options above).

Pure Vanilla Extract: A splash of pure vanilla extract adds a warm, aromatic depth to the overall flavour profile.

Butter (for mold): A little butter is needed to lightly grease your mold, ensuring your beautiful cheesecake releases easily after baking.

*You’ll find the exact measurements on the recipe card below.

Equipment

Baking form with detachable bottom or baking ring.
Parchment paper
Large mixing bowl
Immersion blender
Rubber spatula

Instructions

Prepare Your Baking Form

Select a baking form with a detachable bottom or a baking ring. A 16 cm (6-inch) or 18 cm (7-inch) form is ideal for a standard height cheesecake. A larger 22 cm (9-inch) form can also be used, but the resulting cheesecake will be shallower. Grease the bottom and sides of the form with butter. Line the bottom with parchment paper to ensure the cheesecake releases easily after chilling. Set the prepared form aside.

Make Almond Flour Crust

Preheat your oven to 180°C (360°F).

In a bowl, combine all the ingredients for the almond flour crust. Mix thoroughly until the ingredients are fully combined and form a cohesive dough. Transfer the dough to the prepared baking form. Press it evenly across the bottom and slightly up the sides of the form. Use the flat bottom of a glass to compress and smooth the crust into an even layer.

Once the crust is shaped, use a fork to prick the bottom all over. This will prevent it from puffing up during baking.

Bake the crust in the preheated oven for 10 minutes, or until it appears lightly golden. Remove the form from the oven and allow the crust to cool completely before adding the filling.

Prepare the Cottage Cheese Filling

While the crust cools, prepare the cheesecake filling. In a large mixing bowl, combine all the ingredients for the cottage cheese base.

Using an immersion blender or a standard blender, process the mixture thoroughly until it is perfectly smooth and all cottage cheese lumps are gone. Carefully pour the blended filling evenly over the cooled almond flour crust in the prepared form.

Bake and Chill the Cheesecake

Bake the cheesecake in the preheated oven (180°C / 360°F) for approximately 40 minutes. If using a larger baking form, reduce the baking time slightly as the cheesecake will be thinner and cook faster. Keep a close eye on it to prevent over-baking, start checking after 30 minutes of baking.

It is normal for the center of the cheesecake to still have a slight jiggle at this point; this indicates it is properly baked and will firm up further as it cools.

To prevent cracking, turn off the oven after baking and leave the cheesecake inside with the oven door slightly ajar for about 15-20 minutes to cool down gradually.

Remove the cheesecake from the oven and let it cool completely to room temperature on a wire rack.

Once cooled, transfer the cheesecake (still in its form) to the refrigerator. Allow it to chill for a minimum of 6 hours, or ideally overnight, for the best texture and set. Once fully chilled, carefully unmold the cheesecake.

Serve your delicious high-protein cottage cheese cheesecake. It pairs beautifully with your favorite low-sugar jams, fresh berries, or other preferred toppings.

Tips for the best results

Room Temperature Ingredients: For easier and more thorough blending of the filling ingredients, especially the cottage cheese and eggs, ensure they are at room temperature before combining.

Perfect Crust: Press the almond flour crust mixture firmly and evenly into the bottom (and slightly up the sides, if desired) of the prepared pan.

Don’t Over-Bake the Crust: The initial bake for the crust is just to set it lightly. Bake only for the recommended 10 minutes until lightly golden. It will finish baking with the filling.

Recognize When It’s Done: The cheesecake is correctly baked when the edges appear set, but the center still has a slight, gentle wobble when the form is lightly nudged. It will continue to set as it cools. Over-baking is a common cause of dry texture.

Implement Gradual Cooling: To help prevent the cheesecake from cracking, utilise the gradual cooling method: turn off the oven after baking and prop the door open slightly, leaving the cheesecake inside for 15-20 minutes before removing it to cool completely on a wire rack.

Prioritize Chilling Time: Adequate chilling is essential for the cheesecake to set properly and for the flavours to fully develop. While 6 hours is a minimum, chilling the cheesecake in the refrigerator overnight yields the best, firmest texture.

Toppings

Let’s look at some ideas for what to put on top of your cheesecake:

- Fresh Berries: You really can’t go wrong with fresh berries! A mix of raspberries, blueberries, and strawberries brings natural sweetness and a lovely tang.
- Fruit Sauces and Jams: A simple fruit sauce or jam adds wonderful flavour. Specific delicious options include blueberry jam, apricot jam, strawberry chia jam, or the delightful raspberry sauce from the recipe instructions.
- Something Creamy: A dollop of sugar-free whipped cream adds extra richness and creaminess. Or, try a spoonful of thick plain Greek yogurt or sour cream for a little tang alongside the smooth filling.
- Melted Chocolate: For chocolate lovers, a drizzle of melted sugar-free dark chocolate can add a nice touch of richness.

More low-carb cottage cheese recipes

Cottage cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be enjoyed in different ways, such as eaten plain, added to salads, mixed into smoothies, or used in recipes for both savory and sweet dishes, providing flexibility and enjoyment in meal planning on a low carb diet.

Here are some more healthy cottage cheese recipes for you to try:

Cottage Cheese Breakfast Zapekanka

Cottage Cheese Bars

Cottage Cheese Cheesecake

Cottage Cheese Ice Cream

Berry Whipped Cottage Cheese

Blueberry Cottage Cheese Ice Cream

FAQ

How to store cottage cheese cheesecake?

Store cottage cheese cheesecake in an airtight container for up to 5 days in the fridge.

What are health benefits of cottage cheese?

Cottage cheese offers several health benefits for those following a keto diet:

High in Protein: Cottage cheese is a good source of protein, making it an excellent choice for those on a ketogenic diet. Protein helps promote feelings of fullness which is great for weight loss.
Low in Carbohydrates: With its low carbohydrate content, cottage cheese can fit well within the macronutrient targets of a low-carb diet, which typically restricts carbohydrate intake to induce ketosis.
Source of Healthy Fats: While cottage cheese is not as high in fat as some other dairy products, it still provides a moderate amount of healthy fats, which are essential for maintaining energy levels and supporting overall health on a keto diet.
Nutrient-Rich: Cottage cheese contains various important nutrients, including calcium, phosphorus, selenium, and B vitamins, which are important for bone health, metabolism, and overall well-being.

Is cottage cheese keto-friendly?

Cottage cheese is keto-friendly but always opt for full fat cottage cheese, as it has lower carbs and more fat compared to low fat or fat-free options.

Full-fat cottage cheese: Typically contains around 4-8 grams of total carbs per serving (1/2 cup).
Low-fat or fat free cottage cheese: Can have upwards of 10-15 grams of carbs per serving.

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