Cottage Cheese Chocolate Mousse - Easy Dessert Recipe

Ever found yourself standing in front of the fridge after a workout, craving something sweet but not wanting to undo all your hard work? That’s exactly how this cottage cheese chocolate mousse recipe came to be in my kitchen. This creamy, indulgent-tasting dessert packs a serious protein punch while satisfying those chocolate cravings we all get. The best part? It takes just 10 minutes to whip up, uses only a handful of ingredients, and no one will ever guess it’s made with cottage cheese!

Why You’ll Love This Cottage Cheese Chocolate Mousse

Creamy cottage cheese chocolate mousse topped with berries in a glass bowl

Protein-packed indulgence – Each serving contains 14-16g of high-quality protein, making it a balanced dessert option that actually supports your fitness goals.
Incredibly creamy texture – When blended properly, the cottage cheese transforms into a silky-smooth base that’s indistinguishable from traditional mousse.
Quick and simple – Just 3-4 core ingredients and 10 minutes of prep time (plus chilling).
Naturally lower in sugar – Unlike store-bought desserts, you control the sweetness level.
Versatile recipe – Easy to customize with different flavor variations and toppings.
No baking required – Perfect for hot summer days or when you don’t want to turn on the oven.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Ingredient	Quantity	Notes
Cottage cheese	1½ cups	Full-fat recommended for creamiest texture, but any fat percentage works
Cocoa powder	2-3 tablespoons	Unsweetened, high-quality for best flavor
Maple syrup	2-3 tablespoons	Adjust to taste; honey works too
Vanilla extract	1 teaspoon	Optional but adds depth of flavor
Dark chocolate chips	3 tablespoons	Melted with 1 teaspoon coconut oil (optional for richer flavor)
Pinch of salt	⅛ teaspoon	Enhances chocolate flavor

Ingredient Substitutions

For Low-Carb/Keto:

Replace maple syrup with liquid stevia or monk fruit sweetener
Use sugar-free dark chocolate chips
Add 1 tablespoon MCT oil for extra creaminess and healthy fats

For Higher Protein:

Substitute some or all of the cocoa powder with chocolate protein powder
Add 2 tablespoons of Greek yogurt for extra protein and creaminess

Step-by-Step Instructions

Prepare your ingredients: Measure out all ingredients and have them ready. If using melted chocolate, combine chocolate chips with coconut oil in a microwave-safe bowl and heat in 15-second intervals, stirring between each until fully melted.
Blend the cottage cheese: Add cottage cheese to a food processor or high-powered blender. Process for 1-2 minutes until completely smooth with no visible curds remaining.
Add remaining ingredients: Add cocoa powder, maple syrup, vanilla extract, melted chocolate (if using), and salt to the blended cottage cheese.
Blend until smooth: Process for another 2-3 minutes until the mixture is completely incorporated and silky smooth. Stop to scrape down the sides as needed.
Taste and adjust: Sample the mousse and adjust sweetness or chocolate intensity to your preference by adding more maple syrup or cocoa powder if needed.
Chill: Transfer the mousse to serving dishes or an airtight container. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours (this crucial step allows the mousse to thicken and flavors to develop).
Serve: Top with optional garnishes like fresh berries, whipped cream, chocolate shavings, or a sprinkle of sea salt before serving.

Pro Mousse Tips for Perfect Results

The secret to silky-smooth cottage cheese chocolate mousse is patience with the blending process. Even when you think it’s done, blend for one minute longer!

– Chef’s Tip

For Ultra-Smooth Texture:

Use a food processor rather than a standard blender for best results
Blend the cottage cheese alone first until completely smooth before adding other ingredients
If your blender isn’t powerful enough, you can strain the cottage cheese through a fine-mesh sieve first to remove larger curds
Let the mousse chill for the full 2 hours – this helps it set to the perfect consistency

Sweetener Adjustments:

Start with less sweetener than you think you need – you can always add more
Taste after blending and adjust to your preference
Different brands of cottage cheese vary in sweetness, so adjustments may be needed
For a richer chocolate flavor without added sweetness, use high-quality Dutch-processed cocoa powder

Serving & Storage

Serving Suggestions

For Everyday Snacking

Portion into small mason jars for grab-and-go protein snacks
Top with a sprinkle of granola for added crunch
Pair with fresh berries for a balanced snack

For Meal Prep

Make a double batch and store in individual containers
Add to overnight oats for a chocolate protein boost
Use as a protein-rich dip for strawberries

For Entertaining

Serve in elegant dessert glasses with whipped cream
Create a mousse parfait with layers of berries
Garnish with chocolate shavings and mint leaves

Storage Instructions

This cottage cheese chocolate mousse stores beautifully in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Keep it in an airtight container to prevent it from absorbing other flavors. Give it a quick stir before serving if any separation occurs. While freezing isn’t recommended (it can affect the texture), the mousse is perfect for meal prep throughout the week.

Delicious Variations to Try

Mint Chocolate

Add ¼ teaspoon peppermint extract and top with crushed dark chocolate mint thins for a refreshing twist.

Peanut Butter Swirl

Swirl in 2 tablespoons of natural peanut butter after blending for a protein-packed PB cup flavor.

Orange-Infused

Add 1 teaspoon orange zest and a drop of orange extract for a chocolate-orange combination.

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Cottage Cheese Chocolate Mousse Recipe

4.8

User Rating

Ease

4.8

Taste

4.7

Texture

4.5

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Chill Time: 2 hours

Total Time: 2 hours 10 minutes

Servings: 4

Calories: 187 per serving

Protein: 14g per serving

Ingredients:

1½ cups full-fat cottage cheese
2-3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
2-3 tablespoons maple syrup (adjust to taste)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 tablespoons dark chocolate chips, melted with 1 teaspoon coconut oil (optional)
Pinch of salt (about ⅛ teaspoon)

Optional Toppings:

Fresh berries (strawberries, raspberries, blueberries)
Whipped cream or coconut whip
Chocolate shavings or mini chocolate chips
Mint leaves for garnish

Instructions:

Add cottage cheese to a food processor and blend for 1-2 minutes until completely smooth.
Add cocoa powder, maple syrup, vanilla extract, melted chocolate (if using), and salt.
Blend for another 2-3 minutes until silky smooth, stopping to scrape down sides as needed.
Taste and adjust sweetness or chocolate intensity if desired.
Transfer to serving dishes or an airtight container.
Refrigerate for at least 2 hours to allow mousse to set and flavors to develop.
Top with optional garnishes before serving.

Storage Tip: Keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Give it a quick stir before serving if any separation occurs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you taste the cottage cheese in this chocolate mousse?

No! When properly blended, the cottage cheese loses its distinctive taste and texture, becoming simply a creamy base for the chocolate flavor. The cocoa powder and other ingredients completely mask any cottage cheese flavor. Even people who don’t like cottage cheese typically enjoy this mousse without detecting the secret ingredient.

How much protein is in cottage cheese chocolate mousse?

Each serving (approximately ½ cup) contains about 14-16g of protein, depending on the exact cottage cheese brand you use. This makes it an excellent high-protein dessert option compared to traditional chocolate mousse, which typically contains only 2-3g of protein per serving.

Can I make cottage cheese chocolate mousse vegan?

Traditional cottage cheese is dairy-based, so this specific recipe isn’t suitable for vegans. However, you could try a similar approach using silken tofu as your protein base instead of cottage cheese. Blend silken tofu with cocoa powder, maple syrup, and vanilla for a vegan high-protein chocolate mousse alternative.

What’s the best blender to use for smooth cottage cheese chocolate mousse?

A food processor generally works better than a standard blender for this recipe. The wide blade and bowl shape help create a smoother texture by more effectively breaking down the cottage cheese curds. If using a blender, opt for a high-powered model and blend the cottage cheese alone first until completely smooth before adding other ingredients.

Get My Favorite Blenders on Amazon →

Is cottage cheese chocolate mousse keto-friendly?

This recipe can easily be adapted for a keto diet by substituting the maple syrup with a liquid keto-friendly sweetener like stevia or monk fruit, and using sugar-free dark chocolate chips. With these modifications, each serving would contain approximately 5-7g of net carbs, making it suitable for most keto diets.

Enjoy Your Protein-Packed Chocolate Treat!

This cottage cheese chocolate mousse proves that healthy, high-protein desserts can be just as satisfying as their traditional counterparts. Whether you’re looking to increase your protein intake, satisfy a chocolate craving without the guilt, or simply try something new, this recipe delivers on all fronts. The smooth, creamy texture and rich chocolate flavor will have you coming back for more – and you can feel good about every spoonful!

If you try this recipe, we’d love to hear how it turned out! Leave a rating below or tag us on social media with your creations. Happy (healthy) indulging!

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