Cottage Cheese Cookie Dough

If you grew up with a mother who scolded you for sneaking scoops of raw cookie dough from the bowl, then you might want to give her a call and thank her. It turns out that Mom was right: It’s not safe to eat raw cookie dough. Luckily, this edible cottage cheese cookie dough recipe is a protein-packed alternative designed to be enjoyed by the spoonful.

This recipe went viral on TikTok, which seems to be having a cottage cheese moment. First, it was cottage cheese ice cream, then cottage cheese bread. But after trying this recipe, I have to say that I’m here for cookie dough made with cottage cheese! Loaded with chocolate chips and packed with protein, without the danger of raw eggs, this edible cookie dough tastes just as good as original cookie dough.

Cottage Cheese Cookie Dough Ingredients

• Cottage cheese: This easy edible cookie dough is the latest recipe in the cottage cheese trend that has taken the internet by storm. The high-protein cheese becomes smooth and creamy in the blender and takes well to sweeteners. We think 4% cottage cheese works best, but feel free to use what you have in the fridge.
• Maple syrup and vanilla extract: Vanilla accentuates the sweetness of maple syrup for a well-rounded flavor.
• Almond flour: This naturally gluten-free flour thickens the cottage cheese until it resembles cookie dough. Unlike grain-based flour, raw almond flour is safe to eat.
• Protein powder: Protein powder thickens the cookie dough and adds flavor. Vanilla-flavored whey protein powder is an excellent base for cookie dough, but you can use other flavors like chocolate or peanut butter for variety.
• Chocolate chips: Mini semisweet chocolate chips add a level of decadence to edible cookie dough. We like semisweet chocolate because it adds much-needed sweetness to the cottage cheese cookie dough, which is less sweet than traditional cookie dough. Of course, you can always use dark chocolate chips if you like the bitterness.

Directions

Step 1: Blend the cottage cheese

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Place the cottage cheese, maple syrup and vanilla extract in a blender and puree until smooth.

Step 2: Form the edible cookie dough

Dan Roberts for Taste of Home

Transfer the mixture to a large mixing bowl. Stir in the almond flour and protein powder.

Dan Roberts for Taste of Home

Then, fold in the chocolate chips.

Store the cookie dough in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Editor’s Tip: Taste the dough to see if it needs a little salt. Sodium amounts vary between cottage cheese brands, so feel free to add a pinch or two if you think it needs a little oomph.

Dan Roberts for Taste of Home

Recipe Variations

• Add sweetness: Try blending brown sugar into the cottage cheese to add sweet, toffee-like notes.
• Fold in nut butter: Add a healthy nut butter like peanut butter, almond butter or sunflower butter to give the dough a nutty finish. You can also try using powdered peanut butter.
• Include mix-ins: Chocolate chips aren’t the only option for this edible cookie dough. Add cookie mix-ins to make the dough mimic your favorite cookie recipe. Try white baking chips and dried fruit to make white chocolate cranberry cookies, oats and fresh fruit for apple oatmeal cookies or banana oatmeal cookies, or cinnamon sugar for snickerdoodles. For a bold twist, try peanut butter and M&M’s to make a monster cookie.

How to Store Cottage Cheese Cookie Dough

Store cottage cheese cookie dough in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days. Stir the cookie dough before eating to reincorporate any ingredients that may have separated.

Can you freeze cottage cheese cookie dough?

You can freeze cheese like cottage cheese, although it may have a grainy texture when thawed. The easiest way to freeze cookie dough made with cottage cheese is to scoop it into bite-sized balls. Freeze them on a baking sheet, and transfer the frozen balls to a freezer-safe container. Thaw the cookie dough in the fridge overnight.

Cottage Cheese Cookie Dough Tips

Dan Roberts for Taste of Home

How do you eat cookie dough made with cottage cheese?

Enjoy cottage cheese cookie dough by the spoonful as dessert, or roll it into balls for a portion-sized snack. You can also turn it into a parfait recipe by layering the cookie dough with yogurt, fruit and granola.

Can you make cookies with cottage cheese cookie dough?

This edible cookie dough made with cottage cheese isn’t intended to be baked, so toss aside your baking sheet. For a baked version, try our cottage cheese cookies recipe.

Can you use another type of flour to make this cottage cheese cookie dough recipe?

We use almond flour in our cottage cheese cookie dough recipe and have yet to try it with other flours, but you can experiment with ground rolled oats or coconut flour. Just make sure you use a flour that’s safe to eat raw.