Cottage Cheese Chocolate Dream

High-Protein Cottage Cheese Mousse: A Healthy Chocolate Dessert Recipe

Looking for a dessert that’s both satisfying and good for you? This Cottage Cheese Mousse recipe is your answer. Made with just four simple ingredients, it’s ready in under 10 minutes. Want even more protein? Add a spoonful of peanut butter or protein powder. You can even freeze it in popsicle molds for healthy, homemade fudgesicles!

Coupe glasses filled with chocolate mousse topped with whipped cream and raspberries

Table of Contents

  • Cottage Cheese Mousse: What Makes It So Creamy and Irresistible?
  • Ingredients You’ll Need
  • How Do You Whip Cottage Cheese?
  • How to Make Cottage Cheese Chocolate Mousse
  • Frozen Fun: Turn It Into Fudgesicles!
  • How to Serve Mousse
  • Tips & Variations for the Perfect Mousse
  • Storage Tips
  • FAQs About Cottage Cheese Mousse
  • More Healthy Dessert Recipes
  • Cottage Cheese Chocolate Mousse Recipe

I’ve always been a fan of cottage cheese, long before it became a popular health food. For over a decade, I’ve been secretly adding it to my green smoothies to boost creaminess and nutrition without relying on protein powder.

When I decided to create a dessert that’s both crave-worthy and wholesome, this cottage cheese chocolate mousse quickly became a favorite.

It’s incredibly rich and chocolatey, requires just a few ingredients, and boasts 19 grams of protein per serving. All you need is cottage cheese, cocoa powder, maple syrup, and vanilla extract – blended into a silky, spoonable delight. Imagine a healthy dessert that tastes like decadent chocolate pudding. Yes, please!

Cottage Cheese Mousse: What Makes It So Creamy and Irresistible?

The secret to this mousse’s amazing texture lies in whipping the cottage cheese. Using a food processor (just like in my mini cottage cheese cheesecakes recipe) breaks down the curds and aerates the mixture. This results in a light, silky-smooth mousse with an irresistible chocolatey flavor. Think of it as chocolate pudding, but with much more staying power. Here’s what makes this mousse so special:

  • High in Protein: 19g protein per serving
  • Naturally Sweetened: No refined sugars
  • Easy to Make: No fancy equipment needed
  • Versatile: Can be frozen into fudgesicles!

Grab These Ingredients

You only need four simple ingredients, plus a couple of optional add-ins. Using unsweetened cocoa powder is crucial because it allows you to intensify the chocolate flavor while controlling the sweetness. I personally love the combination of chocolate and maple syrup, but honey works beautifully too.

Here’s a closer look at the key ingredients:

Small glass bowls containing the ingredients for Cottage Cheese Mousse with labels
  • Cottage Cheese: Opt for full-fat (at least 4%) cottage cheese for the best results. While you can use lower-fat options, the 4% variety yields the smoothest texture and packs the most protein.
  • Unsweetened Cocoa Powder: This is what transforms humble cottage cheese into a decadent dessert. Feel free to add more cocoa powder for a richer, more intense chocolate flavor.
  • Maple Syrup: Besides its delicious taste, maple syrup has a lower glycemic index than honey, meaning it releases sugar into the bloodstream more slowly. Not a fan of maple flavor? Substitute with honey!
  • Vanilla Extract: No mousse is complete without a touch of vanilla! It balances the overall flavor profile and helps turn the cottage cheese from savory to sweet.

See the recipe card below for detailed information on ingredients and quantities.

How Do You Whip Cottage Cheese?

There are three main methods for whipping cottage cheese, turning it from chunky to smooth in just seconds:

  • Food Processor: A food processor is the quickest way to whip cottage cheese, whether you’re working with small or large amounts.
  • Blender: Yes, you can use a blender to make whipped cottage cheese! You don’t need to add any other ingredients, although you might need to stop and scrape down the sides of the blender more often compared to using a food processor.
  • Hand Mixer: Believe it or not, you can make whipped cottage cheese without a food processor or blender! Simply blend the cottage cheese on high speed with a hand mixer until it becomes smooth and creamy. Just be sure to scrape the bowl frequently.

How to Make Cottage Cheese Chocolate Mousse

  1. Whip the cottage cheese: Add the cottage cheese and the remaining ingredients to a food processor. Blend until the mixture is completely smooth. It’s important to note that the mixture might appear grainy after 1-2 minutes. Continue blending until all the curds have broken down and the texture becomes whipped.
A food processor containing cottage cheese, cocoa powder, maple syrup and vanilla extract.
A white spatula with mousse on it with a food processor bowl in the background.
  1. Spoon into glasses: Divide the chocolate mousse into bowls or stemmed glasses. Top with whipped cream and your favorite fruits. I love a light dusting of cocoa powder as a final touch.
A spoon spreading chocolate mousse into coupe glasses.

Want a frozen twist? Turn It Into Fudgesicles!

This cottage cheese chocolate mousse makes incredible high-protein fudgesicles. Simply transfer the blended mousse into a sealable plastic bag, snip off a corner, and pipe the mixture into your preferred popsicle molds (these silicone popsicle molds are my favorite!). Freeze for at least 6 hours, or until completely solid.

Piping cottage cheese chocolate mousse from a plastic bag into a silicone popsicle mold.

These fudgesicles are rich, creamy, and taste like a grown-up version of the fudge pops you enjoyed as a kid – but with more protein and no added sugar.

Pro Tip: Run the molds under warm water for a few seconds to easily release the popsicles.

Protein-packed homemade Fudgesicles made from cottage cheese.

How to Serve Mousse

I love how versatile chocolate mousse is, especially when it comes to serving. For a quick and easy treat, spoon it into simple bowls. For a more elegant presentation, use my favorite coupe glasses and top it with homemade whipped cream, fresh berries, and a dusting of cocoa powder.

Tips & Variations for the Perfect Mousse

Use full-fat cottage cheese to achieve the creamiest texture and the highest protein content. Lower-fat versions can be used, but they may result in a thinner mousse.

  • Blend until completely smooth: The mixture will look grainy at first – keep blending! It usually takes 2-3 minutes in a food processor.
  • Chill before serving for a firmer mousse: A 30-minute rest in the refrigerator will give it a pudding-like texture that’s extra enjoyable.
  • Make high-protein fudgesicles: Pipe the mousse into popsicle molds for a healthy frozen treat. (See details above!)
  • Boost the protein content even further:
    • Add 1-2 tablespoons of peanut butter or almond butter before blending for added richness and healthy fats.
    • Mix in 1 scoop of protein powder (chocolate or unflavored). If your powder is sweetened, reduce the amount of maple syrup slightly.

Storage Tips

Store leftover mousse in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Stir before serving. For the best texture, add toppings just before serving (especially whipped cream or fresh fruit). If you’ve made the frozen version, the fudgesicles will last up to 1 month in the freezer. Wrap them individually in plastic wrap or store in sealed molds.

Three coupe glasses filled with chocolate mousse and sitting on a wooden surface

FAQs

Does this mousse taste like cottage cheese?

Surprisingly, no. Once whipped and combined with cocoa powder and maple syrup, the cottage cheese flavor becomes subtle, leaving a creamy, tangy base that resembles a lighter chocolate pudding.

Can I substitute Greek yogurt for cottage cheese?

Not in this particular recipe. Greek yogurt has a different texture and tang, so it won’t whip up in the same way. You’d need to adjust the liquid and sweetener ratios to make it work.

Is this mousse suitable for meal prepping?

Absolutely! The mousse stores well in the fridge for up to 3 days. Keep it in airtight containers and give it a quick stir before serving. It’s perfect for post-workout snacks or satisfying those late-night chocolate cravings.

Can I use cocoa mix or hot chocolate powder instead of cocoa powder?

It’s not recommended. Cocoa mix usually contains added sugar and other additives, which will alter the flavor and texture. Stick with unsweetened cocoa powder for the best results.

Ready to get started? Scroll down to the recipe card below to whip up your new favorite healthy chocolate dessert!

More Healthy Desserts

Find inspiration for even more quick and healthy dessert recipes, including:

  • 5-Minute Healthy Strawberry Frozen Yogurt
  • Peanut Butter Frozen Yogurt Pops
  • Fruit Shaved Ice
  • Greek Frozen Yogurt

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Dessert

Cottage Cheese Chocolate Mousse

Satisfy your sweet tooth with rich, creamy and protein-packed Cottage Cheese Chocolate Mousse. This recipe is made with just four ingredients and also transforms into Fudgesicles!
Author: Kelly Senyei
5 from 3 votes
img 65646 9
Prep Time 10 mins
Cook Time 0 mins
Total Time 10 mins
Servings 2 servings
Print Recipe

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups cottage cheese (4% preferred)
  • 3 Tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
  • ¼ cup maple syrup
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • Peanut butter or protein powder (optional)

Instructions

  • Add the cottage cheese, cocoa powder, maple syrup, vanilla extract and ¼ teaspoon kosher salt to the bowl of a food processor. Blend until smooth, 1 to 2 minutes.
  • Transfer the mousse to serving glasses and serve immediately or store in an airtight container in the fridge until ready to serve.

Kelly’s Notes

  • For more protein, and to customize the flavor, add 3 tablespoons creamy peanut butter or 1 scoop protein powder to the food processor along with all other ingredients and blend until cream
  • Refrigerating the mousse will give it more of a pudding-like consistency
  • ★ Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!

Nutrition

Calories: 289kcal, Carbohydrates: 37g, Protein: 19g, Fat: 8g, Saturated Fat: 3g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.2g, Monounsaturated Fat: 2g, Cholesterol: 27mg, Sodium: 502mg, Potassium: 373mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 29g, Vitamin A: 221IU, Calcium: 185mg, Iron: 1mg
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