Blended cottage cheese smoothies, or what I like to call cheesecake milkshakes, taste smooth, creamy, and decadent, but are packed with protein and nutrition! Raspberries and chocolate are an indulgent flavor pairing, and with a hint of vanilla and a touch of honey, these smoothies have a cheesecake vibe.
How about a raspberry cheesecake milkshake for breakfast?, I enticed Mike one Saturday morning.
Cheesecake-flavored anything is his favorite; combine it with berries and he’s in heaven. Needless to say, he was pretty excited about breakfast that day.
That is, until he saw me add cottage cheese to the blender in a moment of inspiration.
Horrified, he asked me if I was making him a different one from me. I laughed, remembering that he hates cottage cheese with a purple passion, and realized where this conversation was going.
Trying to keep a straight face, I told him mine was different and I’d bring both of our shakes out to the patio when they were ready. I could tell he didn’t completely believe me, but at that moment his phone rang in the other room so he left the kitchen (saved by the bell!).
A couple minutes later, I brought out our “his” and “hers” milkshakes (which were exactly the same thing except for his was served in a bigger glass). Still on the phone, Mike took his milkshake and happily started slurping it.
Three-quarters of his milkshake later, his phone call ended. Preoccupied with his phone call and with all thoughts of cottage cheese banished from his head, he told me how delicious his shake was.
Ladies, believe me when I tell you that no one will be the wiser about the secret healthy ingredient in these cottage cheese smoothies (self-proclaimed cottage cheese-haters included!).
The Best Cottage Cheese Smoothie Recipe
Protein and fiber-packed, this cottage cheese smoothie boasts a natural boost of vitamins too. And yes, technically since there isn’t any ice cream in this shake, it's a smoothie and not a milkshake. But it’s really thick, creamy, and indulgent-tasting (like this peanut butter banana smoothie), so if you call it a milkshake your hubby, kids, etc. will believe you. ;)
And don't save these for breakfast only! Cottage cheese smoothies are a great mid-morning pick-me-up, post workout meal, afternoon snack, or healthy dessert. Kids love them too!
Cottage Cheese Smoothie Ingredients
Note that the ingredients are explained in this section. For the full recipe (including ingredient amounts), please see the recipe card below.
- Cottage cheese - I like to use 4% for rich flavor
- Milk - any kind of unflavored, unsweetened milk is fine; I usually go for whole milk
- Honey - this is the sweetener in this healthy cheesecake milkshake; you can substitute with just about any sweetener you like, such as maple syrup, agave nectar, or even raspberry jam
- Pure vanilla extract - this adds deep vanilla flavor and aroma, and helps give our blended cottage cheese smoothies a decadent feel
- Fresh red raspberries - or you can use peaches, pineapple, or another type of berries
- Ice - we want our smoothies ice cold for the best flavor
- Semisweet chocolate chips - this is optional; I love the flavors of raspberries and chocolate together
How to Make Blended Cottage Cheese Smoothies (aka Healthy Cheesecake Milkshakes)
- Add the cottage cheese, milk, honey, vanilla, and 1 cup raspberries to a blender and process until completely smooth.
- Add the ice and pulse a few times, and then process until thick and creamy. Taste and add additional honey if desired.
- If you're adding chocolate chips, add them now and pulse two times.
- Pour into 2 serving glasses, top with the reserved raspberries and chocolate chips (if using), and serve.
Cottage Cheese Smoothie FAQs
Can You Substitute Cottage Cheese for Yogurt in a Smoothie?
Yes! You can substitute cottage cheese for yogurt (or vice versa) in smoothies in a 1:1 ratio. Save money and use what you already have on hand!
Is Cottage Cheese Good for Protein Shakes?
Yes! Cottage cheese is a great source of protein, and a good addition to protein shakes. That's part of the reason I love smooth and creamy blended cottage cheese smoothies - the protein is very satiating!
How Much Protein is in Cottage Cheese?
According to the USDA, 100 grams (which is equivalent to about ½ cup) of full-fat (large or small-curd) cottage cheese has the following nutrition information:
- 103kcal
- 11.6g protein
- 4.22g fat
- 4.6g carbohydrates
Cottage cheese is a good option for a low carb and keto diet. With just 4.6g carbs per serving and almost 12g protein, you get a lot of bang for your buck! If you want to make a low carb or keto smoothie, just remember to use other low carb ingredients, including a keto friendly sweetener, such as stevia or powdered monkfruit/allulose.
What Fruit Goes with Cottage Cheese?
The sky is the limit when it comes to pairing fruit with cottage cheese. As a kid, I remember one of my mom's favorite snacks (that I thought was so strange at the time) was cottage cheese topped with pineapple. But it's delicious!
If you want to try this blended cottage cheese smoothie with a different fruit than raspberries, any of the following fruit would be delicious:
- Mango
- Peaches
- Strawberries
- Blueberries
More Unique Cottage Cheese Recipes to Make
- Kluski z Serem (Polish Pasta with Cottage Cheese Recipe) - combines soft, fluffy egg noodles with buttery caramelized onion, cottage cheese, sour cream, salt, and black pepper for an easy comfort food meal that’s similar to macaroni and cheese
- Garlic and Chive Blended Cottage Cheese Dip - this blended cottage cheese dip is easy to whip up with minimal ingredients, and is perfect for snacking on with chips or raw vegetables
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Cottage Cheese Smoothies (aka Healthy Raspberry Cheesecake Milkshakes)
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup cottage cheese use 4% for rich flavor
- ¼ cup milk any kind you like
- 2 teaspoons honey more or less to taste
- 1 ½ teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 1 ¼ cups fresh red raspberries divided into 1 cup + ¼ cup
- 2 cups ice see Notes
- 2 tablespoons semisweet chocolate chips divided into 1 ½ tablespoons + ½ tablespoon (optional)
Instructions
- Add the cottage cheese, milk, honey, vanilla, and 1 cup raspberries to a blender and process until completely smooth.
- Add the ice and pulse a few times, and then process until thick and creamy. Taste and add additional honey if desired.
- Add 1 ½ tablespoons chocolate chips and pulse two times.
- Pour into 2 serving glasses, top with the reserved raspberries and chocolate chips, and serve.
Faith's Tips
- Ice Substitution: For a sweeter, creamier smoothie, you can use 2 medium-large ripe bananas (they should have a few brown spots) that are peeled, chopped, and frozen. If you’re buying pre-chopped frozen bananas, use about 1 ½ cups of frozen banana pieces.
Nutrition
This post was first published on An Edible Mosaic on September 1, 2014. I updated it with more information on May 26, 2023.
Laura (Tutti Dolci) says
Gorgeous "milkshake." You are one smart woman to pass this off on your husband! :)
Alyssa (Everyday Maven) says
I bet that is a fun treat! It's so pretty too :)
Thalia @ butter and brioche says
These milkshakes look amazingly delicious.. love how surprisingly healthy they are for you too! I need to recreate the recipe!
Vanessa @ Vanessa Baked says
I have some fresh raspberries in the garden and found a new way to use them! That looks delicious!
Christine at Cook the Story says
I love your idea to use cottage cheese in this shake!
Rosa says
Delicious! A great milkshake.
Cheers,
Rosa
Mary says
Thick and creamy, and what a goof idea to include cottage cheese.