You are going to fall in love with this decadent lemon cheesecake protein whip! It is rich, creamy, and made with cottage cheese – but you’d never know it. A little cream cheese makes it indulgent, while fresh lemon keeps it bright and refreshing. It tastes like cheesecake filling! (Gluten-Free)
This lemon cheesecake protein whip is the kind of post-workout snack or after-dinner dessert you’ll actually look forward to. You could substitute your protein shakes for this or eat it as a snack, in between meals, to help you reach a higher protein intake.
And unlike most cottage cheese “dupes,” this one truly tastes like dessert.
It’s rich, creamy, and delicious. The texture is dense but smooth and fluffy. Then, the toppings just take it up another notch so each bite really satisfies!
Reasons to Try This Recipe:
- 5 minutes of prep time and stores in the fridge for days 3-4 days! High protein snack prep made easy, with decadence.
- Curb your sweet tooth and increase your protein intake at the same time. Each serving has 27 grams of protein. Or, split it into three mini servings with 18 grams of protein!
- You LOVE dessert but you’re trying to eat healthier. If you aren’t quite reaching 20 grams of protein at all of your meals, and you love dessert, this is a multi-functional snack to fill in nutrient gaps. Top with berries and you will also get some antioxidants along with it!
Ingredients
This recipe makes two servings.
- 1 cup 2% milkfat (or higher) cottage cheese.
- 1 scoop vanilla protein powder. The sweetness of the protein powder will affect flavor and how much maple syrup is used.
- 1–2 tbsp cream cheese (softened). I used 2 tablespoons.
- 1–2 tbsp maple syrup. Taste test and adjust.
- Zest of 3/4-1 lemon.
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice. Start with one tablespoon or squeeze and add more later, if needed.
- Pinch salt.
Optional Toppings
- Berries. I love to top with thawed from frozen mixed berries. You could also blend into the whip!
- Graham crackers.
- Whipped cream.
- White chocolate chips.
- Chopped nuts.
Since the protein whip is dense, the portion may feel a little small. If you need more volume, you could fold in some cool whip or add 1/2 cup of berries. Serve it in a small cute jar or tiny bowl.
Variation Ideas
Directions
The texture of this whip is thicker than whipped cottage cheese and Greek yogurt – almost like whipped frosting. I definitely recommend consuming it cold, right out of the fridge.
As a huge fan of the lemon + berry flavor combination, this one is life-changing!
- Add cottage cheese, protein powder, cream cheese, maple syrup, lemon zest, lemon juice, and salt to a high-speed blender or food processor.
- Blend for 60–90 seconds, scraping down the sides as needed. Scrape again, then blend for another 30–60 seconds until completely smooth and mousse-like. If the blender gets stuck, add 1–2 tablespoons of milk to help it blend.
- If it’s too thick, add 1–2 teaspoons of milk and blend again. If it’s too thin, add 1 tablespoon of cream cheese. Keep in mind it will thicken slightly as it chills in the fridge.
- Portion into airtight containers and chill for 20–30 minutes to firm up (optional, but recommended).
- Serve with crushed graham crackers, berries and whipped cream for a pie/cheesecake vibe.
Storage Tips
- Store in a sealed glass jar or airtight container.
- Press plastic wrap gently onto the surface if you want to minimize air exposure.
- Give it a quick stir before serving.
- Best served immediately out of the fridge. The whip becomes less airy the more it sits out / in the fridge.
Tip for success: it’s important to love the taste of your protein powder! I used Optimum Nutrition Vanilla Ice Cream which does contribute to the flavor of this protein whip. Only one scoop was added to prevent that gritty taste, however, feel free to add more!
You can omit the protein powder and the whip will still have a higher protein content you will just adjust the taste with more maple syrup.
More High Protein Snacks
- High Protein Snacks for Snackers (The Ultimate List)
- Lemon Berry Greek Yogurt Popsicles
- Birthday Cake Popsicles
- Mini Vanilla Protein Pudding Cups
- Pistachio Pudding Cups
- High Protein Cottage Cheese Dips
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Use Greek Yogurt Instead?
Yes, but the texture will may less fluffy and dense. It won’t be quite as thick and cheesecake-like.
What protein powder works best?
A really delicious tasting protein powder, preferably vanilla flavor, will contribute to how sweet and delicious this whip is. Make sure your protein powder is third-party testing (NSF or USP certified, even better). Yes, protein powder can be omitted and each serving is 135 calories and 15.8 grams of protein.
Can you freeze it?
Yes, but this will change the texture and it will become more ice cream like, and less mousse-y.
Does the Texture Change After Day 1?
As long as it is refrigerated, the texture stays nice and thick until you take it out. After about two days, I did notice that it wasn’t quite as dense (but still so good).
Lemon Cheesecake Protein Whip {with Cottage Cheese}
Ingredients
- 1 cup 2% milkfat or higher cottage cheese
- 1 scoop vanilla protein powder see notes.
- 1-2 tablespoons cream cheese I used 2 Tbsp.
- 1-2 tablespoons maple syrup
- Zest of ¾-1 lemon
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice adjust after taste test
- Pinch of sea salt
- Fresh or frozen berries
- Graham cracker crumbles
- Whipped cream
- Chopped nuts
- White chocolate chips
- Toasted coconut
- Dark chocolate chips
Method
- Add cottage cheese, protein powder, cream cheese, maple syrup, lemon zest, lemon juice, and salt to a high-speed blender or food processor.
- Blend for 60–90 seconds, scraping down the sides as needed. Scrape again, then blend for another 30–60 seconds until completely smooth and mousse-like. If the blender gets stuck, add 1–2 tablespoons of milk to help it blend.
- If it’s too thick, add 1–2 teaspoons of milk and blend again.If it’s too thin, add 1 tablespoon of cream cheese. Sweeten with more maple syrup or add extra lemon zest to taste.Keep in mind it will thicken slightly as it chills in the fridge.
- Portion into airtight containers and chill for 20–30 minutes to firm up (optional, but recommended).
- Serve with crushed graham crackers, berries and whipped cream for a pie/cheesecake vibe.
Notes
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- Make sure you love the flavor of your protein powder because this will affect the flavor of the whip and the amount of maple syrup added.
- Yes, protein powder can be omitted and each serving is 135 calories and 15.8 grams of protein.