This frozen cottage cheese bark will quickly become your new favorite quick & easy dessert. Not only is it tasty and easy to make with just a blender and a baking sheet, it’s also high protein, low carb, and keto-friendly. So no worries about the nutrition on this one!
Frozen Cottage Cheese Bark
Since this is a viral TikTok recipe, I cannot take credit for this social media sensation. I only added my little flair to keep it keto-friendly, low sugar, and low carb. When I was rounding up recipes for this list of 50 High Protein Keto Cottage Cheese Recipes, I noticed there were very few truly keto-friendly cottage cheese recipes out there. And what could be more low carb and keto-funtastic than cottage cheese!?
I created this version because, for one, I wanted to see if it could be done. And I was really craving a easy dessert made for real life – like I often do. I gleaned much inspiration from the Eating Bird Food blog simply because I fell in love with that chocolate marbling. I added chopped nuts to keep it low carb, and I kept the sweetener and chocolate sugar-free.
No matter your health goals, I’m sure with a few simple swaps this recipe can fit into any healthy lifestyle so have fun, experiment and enjoy! Plus the kids will really love this one since it tastes like ice cream.
Here’s how I made mine:
Ingredients for Cottage Cheese Bark
It’s 6 simple ingredients you probably already have in your pantry. If not, feel free to experiment! Greek yogurt makes a great high protein substitute for cottage cheese, plus any flavors and toppings you have will go perfectly in this recipe.
Here’s what you’ll need:
- Cottage Cheese – the absolute star of the show, the foundation of this recipe, the one, the only cottage cheese. I used Aldi’s Friendly Farms brand 4% full fat, small curd cottage cheese. The full fat version will give the best texture and the most creaminess.
- Sugar-Free Powdered Sweetener – This adds just a touch of sweetness without adding actual sugar content. I used Lakanto’s Powdered Monk fruit sweetener, but feel free to use your favorite sweetener of choice. To keep it keto-friendly, opt for allulose, stevia, Monk fruit, or erythritol (or blends of these). If don’t care about adding carbs, you can use honey, maple syrup, agave nectar or another liquid or powdered sweetener of choice.
- Vanilla Extract – For a hint of aromatic vanilla flavor that perfectly complements the cottage cheese and sweetener. A little goes a long way in enhancing the overall taste.
- Peanut Butter – Brings a nutty richness and additional protein to this bark. Make sure to use natural and unsweetened peanut butter like Crazy Richard’s 100% Peanut Butter for the best results. Swap it with almond butter or another nut/seed butter if you have a preference or allergy, or omit it altogether.
- Dark Sugar-Free Chocolate or Chocolate Chips – Melted and swirled throughout the bark to create that beautiful marble effect. I used a sugar-free dark chocolate from Lily’s, but you can choose your preferred type.
- Chopped Nuts – The finishing touch, adding a delightful crunch and extra flavor. Use your favorite nuts like almonds, pecans, or walnuts for a perfect combination. Or mix it up with some keto granola and freeze-dried fruits.
How to Make Cottage Cheese Bark
Steps: Blend → Spread onto baking sheet → Top → Freeze
Blend
- Add cottage cheese, sweetener, peanut butter, and vanilla extract to a blender. I used a Vitamix.
- Blend on medium until smooth and spreadable. I don’t think there is any way to mess this up. Just make sure it’s full blended!
Spread and Top
- Pour onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Spread about ¼ inch thick with a small spatula with short, light strokes side to side, up and down, until it’s one even layer. When pouring on the baking sheet, I dollapped out the mixture to resemble a doily to make sure it was even, then spread. It took several strokes to make it perfect! Use the edge of the spatula to tidy up the edges if needed.
- Top with about 6-9 evenly spaced melted chocolate dollops.
- Create marble effect with a butter knife or toothpick. Start from one end and “cut” through the chocolate, or use a zipzag motion and gently swirl it. Avoid overmixing as you’ll want distinct swirls of chocolate. Work fast as the chocolate will start to solidify as it touched the cold cottage cheese mixture.
- Sprinkle on chopped nuts or other toppings of choice.
Freeze and Cut
Freeze for about 3 hours, or until set. Then, cut into about 9-12 squares. Here’s the best part…
Enjoy quickly because this will melt like ice cream. It’s best to only take out a few pieces at a time, then put the rest in a freezer in an airtight container or freezer bag. It can be stored for up to 3 months in the freezer.
I hope you enjoy this viral sensation as much as I enjoyed keto-fying it for you! Put this on the top of your list next time you want an easy peasy dessert made for real life.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I use a food processor to make the cottage cheese bark? Absolutely! A food processor or a high-speed blender works great for achieving a smooth and creamy texture for your cottage cheese layer. Just blend until the cottage cheese is completely smooth.
- Is this a high-protein snack? Yes, this cottage cheese bark recipe is a delicious high-protein dessert recipe. With full-fat cottage cheese, peanut butter, and nuts, it’s packed with grams of protein to keep you satisfied.
- What sweeteners can I use in this recipe? You can use sugar-free powdered sweetener if you are carb conscience. If you don’t mind the extra carbs, then honey, agave nectar, or pure maple syrup go well with this recipe. Choose the one that best suits your taste and dietary needs.
- How do I melt chocolate chips? Place the chocolate chips or pieces of chocolate in a safe bowl and melt them in the microwave in 20-second intervals, stirring in between until smooth. You can also melt them using a double boiler on the stovetop.
- Can I use fat-free cottage cheese instead of full-fat? Yes, you can use fat-free cottage cheese, but keep in mind that the texture may not be as creamy. Full-fat cottage cheese will give you a creamier texture for a more indulgent treat, plus it will keep you fuller longer.
- What are some different flavors I can try? Feel free to experiment with different flavors by adding extracts like almond or coconut. You can also mix in some berry cheesecake flavors or top with your favorite toppings like fresh berries or shredded coconut.
- How do I create a chocolate peanut butter swirl? After spreading the cottage cheese mixture, add dollops of melted chocolate and peanut butter on top. Use a toothpick or knife to create a beautiful swirl pattern for a visually appealing treat.
- Is this a good snack for a hot summer day? Yes, this frozen cottage cheese bark is a perfect sweet snack for a hot summer day. It’s refreshing, creamy, and satisfies your sweet tooth without being overly heavy.
- Can I add different toppings? Yes, feel free to add your favorite toppings like chopped nuts, granola, or fresh or even freeze-dried fruits. Get creative and make this recipe your own!
- How do I store the cottage cheese bark? Store your frozen cottage cheese bark in an airtight container in the freezer. It will keep well for up to 3 months, making it a convenient and healthy snack to have on hand.
- How much protein is in this recipe? The grams of protein will depend on the specific brands and quantities of ingredients you use. Generally, this recipe is high in protein, thanks to the cottage cheese, peanut butter, and nuts. I have estimated about 6 grams per square.
- Can this recipe be baked? This is a no-bake recipe, making it super easy and quick to prepare. Just blend, spread, and freeze!
- What makes this a healthy snack? This cottage cheese bark is a healthy snack because it’s high in protein, low in sugar (if using sugar-free sweeteners), and full of healthy fats from the nuts and peanut butter. It’s a great option for a sweet treat without the guilt.
Check out the printable recipe card below for all of my notes. Enjoy!
Try these other high-protein cottage cheese recipes:
- 50 High Protein Keto Cottage Cheese Recipes You’ll Actually Want To Make
- Tomato Basil Cottage Cheese Flatbread
- Carnivore Keto Egg Loaf Recipe (Made with Cottage Cheese)
- Keto Egg Bites (Starbucks Egg White & Roasted Red Pepper)
Frozen Cottage Cheese Bark
Ingredients
- 2 cups cottage cheese , full fat
- ¼ cup sugar-free powdered sweetener (or sweetener of choice)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ cup peanut butter , natural & unsweetened
- 2 oz dark sugar-free chocolate or chocolate chips , melted
- ¼ cup chopped nuts (almonds, pecans, or walnuts)
Instructions
- Blend cottage cheese, sweetener, vanilla extract, and peanut butter in a blender until smooth.
- Prepare tray: Line a 18 x 13 in (45 x 33 cm) baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Spread cottage cheese mixture onto the baking sheet. (Note 1)
- Top with melted chocolate and use a knife to create marble effect. (Note 2)
- Sprinkle on chopped nuts. (Note 3)
- Freeze for 3 hours or until set. (Note 4)
- Cut into squares.
Olivia Wyles
I made this and loved this so much! It’s sitting in my freezer as a quick snack any time I need it 🙂