Description
This Protein Cottage Cheesecake Jars recipe offers a guilt-free dessert option that combines creamy, protein-packed cheesecake with a crunchy graham cracker crust and fresh fruit toppings. Perfect for a healthy snack or a light dessert, these jars are simple to prepare, customizable, and enjoyable chilled for a refreshing treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Cheesecake Filling
- 1 cup Cottage Cheese (Use dairy-free ricotta for vegan version)
- 8 oz Fat-Free Cream Cheese (Substitute with plant-based cream cheese for dairy-free option)
- 1 scoop Vanilla-Flavored Protein Powder (Consider chocolate flavor for variation)
- 2 tbsp Sugar-Free Maple Syrup (Can be substituted with regular maple syrup)
- Splash of Vanilla Extract
Crust
- 1 cup Graham Crackers (or crumbs) (Use gluten-free graham crackers for gluten restrictions)
- 3 tbsp Melted Butter (Coconut oil can be used for dairy-free option)
Topping
- 1 cup Fresh Fruits (Top with berries, bananas, or seasonal fruits)
- 2 tbsp Blueberry Jam (Optional; sugar-free alternatives can be used)
Instructions
- Prepare the Cheesecake Filling: In a high-power blender, combine the cottage cheese, fat-free cream cheese, vanilla-flavored protein powder, sugar-free maple syrup, and a splash of vanilla extract. Blend for about 1-2 minutes until the mixture is smooth and creamy with no lumps.
- Make the Crust: Crush the graham crackers into fine crumbs using a food processor or placing them in a zip-top bag and crushing with a rolling pin. Mix the crumbs well with the melted butter until the mixture forms buttery clusters.
- Assemble the Jars: Evenly distribute the crust mixture among small jars, pressing down gently to create a compact and firm base layer. Spoon the cheesecake filling on top of the crust in each jar, smoothing the surface with a spoon or spatula.
- Chill the Jars: Refrigerate the jars for at least 1 to 2 hours to allow the cheesecake to set properly. For best results, chill the jars overnight to enhance texture and flavor.
- Add Toppings and Serve: Before serving, top each jar with your choice of fresh fruits such as berries or bananas. Optionally, add a spoonful of blueberry jam or a sugar-free alternative for added sweetness and flavor.
Notes
- For a vegan version, substitute cottage cheese and cream cheese with dairy-free ricotta and plant-based cream cheese.
- Use gluten-free graham crackers if you have gluten sensitivities.
- To increase sweetness, use regular maple syrup instead of sugar-free.
- Experiment with different protein powder flavors like chocolate for variety.
- Chilling overnight significantly improves the firmness and taste of the cheesecake jars.
