If you’re looking for a sweet treat that actually keeps you full, this high protein chocolate pudding is for you. Made with cottage cheese, cocoa powder, and just a few other simple ingredients. Rich, creamy, and perfectly smooth, this pudding doesn’t require any cooking and has a mousse like texture. A perfect, high-protein make-ahead dessert to prep for the week!
I like to serve my chocolate pudding topped with fresh whipped cream and berries, this makes it feel like a true chocolate dessert! The mousse-like texture paired with the creamy whipped cream is a perfect combo – you’ll never guess it is high-protein and made with cottage cheese.
Looking for more delicious ways to incorporate more protein – try my edible high-protein cookie dough or these quick protein bites! Find all of my sweet treat recipes here for more inspiration.
Why You’ll Like This
- 4 ingredients: all you need is cottage cheese and three simple pantry ingredients!
- High protein: cottage cheese makes it filling and satisfying, plus provides a rich, creamy texture.
- No cook: unlike some puddings recipes, this require no cooking!
- Ultra creamy: smooth texture with no weird aftertaste, you wouldn’t even know it contained cottage cheese.
- Naturally sweetened: adjust the sweetness to your liking with maple syrup and unsweetened cocoa.
- Meal prep friendly: make a few jars to keep in the fridge for the week for anytime a sweet tooth hits.
What Is Cottage Cheese Pudding
Cottage cheese pudding is a creamy, high-protein dessert made by blending cottage cheese with ingredients like cocoa powder, sweetener, and sometimes milk or yogurt to create a smooth, mousse-like texture. Despite cottage cheese being the base, the flavor is masked by the chocolate or vanilla, making it taste more like traditional pudding, but with added nutritional benefits!
Key Ingredients
Cottage Cheese: use full-fat for the creamiest texture. Greek yogurt works in a pinch but has a more tangy flavor.
Cocoa Powder: unsweetened cocoa powder is recommended, it adds the rich chocolate flavor without making it too sweet. Chocolate protein powder can also be used!
Maple Syrup: swap with honey, agave, or a sugar-free syrup if preferred.
Vanilla Extract: this adds extra flavor but can be optional.
How to Make The Chocolate Pudding
Let’s talk a little about how to make the High Protein Chocolate Pudding (The printable instructions are in the recipe card below.)
Quick Overview:
- Blend cottage cheese mixture, fold in cocoa. Chill and enjoy!
- In the base of a blender combine cottage cheese, vanilla, and maple syrup. Blend until cottage cheese is smooth.
- Transfer cottage cheese to a mixing bowl, add in cocoa powder, and fold in until fully combined. Enjoy immediately topped with whipped cream and berries or keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week!
Recipe Notes:
- If you can find whipped cottage cheese, this will eliminate the need to blend the cottage cheese!
- Unsweetened cocoa powder is recommended, it adds a rich, chocolate flavor without making the pudding too sweet. You could substitute chocolate protein powder for extra protein if desired.
- Pudding is best chilled, it set’s up and creates a ‘mousse’ like texture!
Tools I Recommend
- High Powered Blender: I love this powerful yet affordable blenders for smoothies, sauces, soups, and more. This is one I’ve had for a while. – it is perfect for blending the cottage cheese.
- Rubber Spatula – a must have! I like these because they don’t come apart so I don’t have to worry about water getting inside the spatula and causing mold.
- Pyrex Mixing Bowl Set – I love this set of nesting bowls. I use them for everything, Pyrex glass does not break easily so you can trust on these bowls for years, plus they come in 3 useful sizes and can be stacked!
High Protein Chocolate Pudding
Equipment
Ingredients
- 24 oz. Cottage cheese , full fat recommended
- 1/4 cup Maple syrup
- 1 tbsp Vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup Unsweetened cocoa powder
- Whipped cream and berries for garnish
Instructions
- In the base of a blender combine cottage cheese, vanilla, and maple syrup. Blend until cottage cheese is smooth.24 oz. Cottage cheese , 1/4 cup Maple syrup, 1 tbsp Vanilla extract
- Transfer cottage cheese to a mixing bowl, add in cocoa powder, and fold in until fully combined. Enjoy immediately topped with whipped cream and berries or keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week!1/2 cup Unsweetened cocoa powder , Whipped cream and berries for garnish
Notes
Nutrition
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Recipe Tips
- Enjoy chilled for best, mousse-like texture!
- Top with shaved chocolate, whipped cream, and fresh berries to make into a dessert.
- Adjust sweetness as needed with more or less maple.
- Use a whisk to mix all the clumps out or sift in cocoa powder.
Recipe Notes
Not really! Once blended, the flavor is mild and the cocoa powder takes over. Make sure the get the cottage cheese really smooth so you don’t have any unexpected chunks!
Use full-fat or 2% cottage cheese for the creamiest texture. Small curd blends better, but since it’s going in the blender, any kind will work.
Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week. It might thicken slightly over time — just give it a stir before serving.
Cottage cheese is the star ingredient here, but you could try blending dairy-free yogurt with a scoop of protein powder as an alternative. It won’t be quite the same, but still high in protein.
Yes! A high-powered blender gives the smoothest result, but a food processor will still work. Just scrape down the sides a few times to get everything incorporated.
Variations & Serving Ideas
- Mix in flavored protein powders or collagen.
- Use agave or monk fruit to sweeten instead of maple.
- Mix in chocolate chips or shaved chocolate.
- Top with fresh whipped cream or fresh berries for a fun dessert cup!
- Use to make dirt cups or mini pudding cups for kids.
