Description
This Cottage Cheese Cheesecake is a creamy, protein-packed twist on classic cheesecake made with blended cottage cheese, Greek yogurt, and a hint of lemon. Light yet rich, it delivers smooth texture and balanced sweetness with an optional buttery graham cracker crust.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3/4 cup (75g) graham cracker crumbs
- 1 tablespoon (12g) granulated sugar (for crust)
- 1 pinch (1/8 teaspoon) kosher salt
- 3 tablespoons (42g) unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup (227g) cottage cheese (2% or full-fat)
- 1/4 cup (60g) Greek yogurt (any fat content)
- 1 large egg (50g without shell)
- 2 1/2 tablespoons (32g) granulated sugar (for filling)
- 1 1/2 tablespoons (12g) all-purpose flour or cornstarch
- 1/2 teaspoon (2.5ml) vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon (1g) lemon zest
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 6-inch (15cm) springform pan or line a cake pan with parchment paper.
- In a bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, 1 tablespoon sugar, and salt. Stir in melted butter until evenly moistened.
- Press the crumb mixture firmly into the bottom of the prepared pan. Bake for 10–12 minutes until lightly golden. Remove and let cool.
- In a high-powered blender, combine cottage cheese, Greek yogurt, egg, 2 1/2 tablespoons sugar, flour or cornstarch, vanilla extract, and lemon zest.
- Blend until completely smooth and creamy, scraping down the sides as needed to remove any lumps.
- Pour the filling over the cooled crust (or directly into the greased pan for crustless).
- Bake for 30–35 minutes, until the edges are set and slightly puffed and the center is gently jiggly but not liquid.
- Cool at room temperature for 1 hour, then refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight for best texture.
- Slice and serve chilled with fresh berries or fruit compote if desired.
Notes
- Blend thoroughly to ensure a silky-smooth texture without visible curds.
- Do not overbake; the center should remain slightly jiggly as it will firm up while chilling.
- For a gluten-free option, use cornstarch instead of flour and gluten-free cookie crumbs.
- This recipe can be doubled and baked in an 8-inch (20cm) pan; increase baking time by 10–15 minutes.
- Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/4 cheesecake)
- Calories: 274 kcal
- Sugar: 16 g
- Sodium: 294 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6.7 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 27 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 79 mg