Cottage Cheese Fudge – Easy, Irresistible Treat (5g Protein)

Cottage cheese fudge doesn’t sound real until you taste it. But here it is: chocolatey, creamy, packed with protein, and made with just a few fridge staples. Whether you’re cutting sugar, watching macros, or just want a snack that feels like dessert without tanking your energy, this recipe delivers. Below, I’ll show you how to turn blended curds into rich fudge—no baking, no tricks, just real food that works cold.

Table of Contents

What Makes Cottage Cheese Fudge Work

If you’ve been burned by chalky protein snacks or gritty low-sugar desserts, cottage cheese fudge is about to change your mind. It blends smooth, sets firm, and hits that chocolate craving without the crash. Unlike traditional fudge, which is loaded with butter and sugar, this version is built around protein-rich cottage cheese—and yes, it actually tastes good.

The Texture Surprise

When whipped in a blender, cottage cheese turns unexpectedly creamy—think Greek yogurt meets whipped ricotta. That becomes the foundation. Then you bring in melted chocolate or unsweetened cocoa to build a dense, chocolate base. No stovetop stirring, no candy thermometers—just a clean blend and freeze method.

You’ll find most versions of cottage cheese fudge keep it under 6 ingredients:

  • Blended cottage cheese
  • Dark chocolate or cocoa powder
  • Maple syrup, honey, or monk fruit
  • A splash of vanilla
  • Maybe a shake of salt or added protein

You don’t need stabilizers or thickeners—just simple ingredients and a blender. Once chilled, the texture is surprisingly firm and creamy, with clean edges and a thick bite. It won’t crumble like protein bars or melt like classic fudge, but it gives you that rich square you can actually portion.

Why Everyone’s Talking About It

This recipe hit social media hard for a reason. It looks like a cheat snack, but it’s packed with protein and freezer-stable for weeks. No baking. No sugar rush. Just something you can cut up and toss in a prep container for after-lunch cravings.

It’s also versatile. You can swirl in almond butter, adjust the chocolate-to-cheese ratio, or even sneak in greens (really). We’ve played with cottage cheese in savory dishes like this carrot ribbon salad pairing and sweet potato bowls, but this sweet use? It’s the sleeper hit.

Ingredients + Prep Breakdown

This version of cottage cheese fudge keeps it tight and functional—no weird gums or protein powders unless you want them. All you need is a blender, a freezer, and five basic ingredients you probably already have.

Ingredients for cottage cheese fudge arranged on a wood counter.
Just five simple ingredients go into this healthy cottage cheese fudge.

Core Ingredients

This makes about 16 small squares:

  • 1 cup cottage cheese (full-fat or low-fat)
  • 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips or bar
  • 1 to 2 tablespoons natural sweetener (maple syrup, honey, stevia, or monk fruit)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Pinch of salt to balance the sweetness

Optional upgrades:

  • A scoop of your go-to protein powder
  • A spoonful of peanut butter or tahini
  • Cacao nibs or chopped walnuts pressed into the top

The ingredients list keeps it in the same universe as our cottage cheese dry curd recipes, but this one plays for the sweet team.

How to Make It

Step 1: Blend It Smooth
Start by melting the chocolate using a double boiler or short bursts in the microwave. Once melted, toss it into your blender with the cottage cheese, sweetener, vanilla, and salt. Run until smooth—no lumps, no grit.

Chocolate fudge mixture made from cottage cheese being blended.
Blended cottage cheese becomes smooth and creamy for a fudge-ready base.

Step 2: Set It Up
Scrape the fudge batter into a loaf pan or container lined with parchment paper. Spread evenly with a spatula or spoon.

Step 3: Freeze to Firm
Transfer the container to your freezer and give it at least 2 hours. You’re aiming for a firm set that holds shape but still cuts clean.

Step 4: Slice & Stash
Once firm, cut into even squares and transfer to a lidded container. You can refrigerate for daily snacking (lasts up to 5 days) or keep them frozen long-term and just thaw before serving.

If you’re also prepping something savory—like our high protein taco bowl—this fudge makes a killer contrast when packed as a sweet add-on.

Print
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Sliced cottage cheese fudge on parchment with melted chocolate

Cottage cheese fudge


  • Author: Curtis James
  • Total Time: 10 minutes (plus freeze time)
  • Yield: 16 small squares 1x
  • Diet: Gluten Free

Description

A simple, high-protein fudge made from blended cottage cheese, dark chocolate, and pantry staples. No baking, no refined sugar.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup cottage cheese (full-fat or low-fat)
  • 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips or chopped chocolate
  • 1 to 2 tablespoons maple syrup, honey, or stevia
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Pinch of sea salt
  • Optional: 1 tablespoon nut butter
  • Optional: 1 scoop chocolate or unflavored protein powder

Instructions

  1. Melt chocolate using a double boiler or microwave until smooth.
  2. In a blender, combine cottage cheese, melted chocolate, sweetener, vanilla, and salt. Blend until completely smooth.
  3. Scrape the mixture into a parchment-lined loaf pan or container. Spread evenly.
  4. Freeze for 2–3 hours, or until firm but sliceable.
  5. Cut into squares and store in an airtight container. Keep refrigerated for 5 days or frozen for up to a month.

Notes

  • Add nut butter for a creamier texture and flavor twist.
  • For sugar-free fudge, use dark chocolate and skip sweeteners entirely.
  • This recipe works best with small curd cottage cheese.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 0 minutes
  • Category: Snacks
  • Method: No-Bake
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 square
  • Calories: 90
  • Sugar: 3g
  • Sodium: 60mg
  • Fat: 6g
  • Saturated Fat: 3g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 2g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 5g
  • Fiber: 1g
  • Protein: 6g
  • Cholesterol: 10mg

Keywords: cottage cheese fudge, high protein fudge, healthy chocolate snack, freezer fudge

Serving Ideas + Add-Ons

Once you’ve frozen and sliced your cottage cheese fudge, it opens up way more than just a snack-on-the-go. This stuff is surprisingly adaptable. Whether you’re keeping it simple or dressing it up for guests, there are easy ways to serve it that make it feel like more than a protein hack.

How to Plate or Pack It

Cottage cheese fudge square served with sliced banana, almonds, and berries.
This cottage cheese fudge pairs well with fruit and nuts for a balanced snack.

Cottage cheese fudge works great in small bites, squares, or even scooped like truffles. Here are a few ways I use it in meal prep and quick snacks:

  • Next to fresh fruit: Serve with banana slices, berries, or pomegranate for sweet-tart contrast
  • Tucked into snack boxes: Include it with nuts and veggie sticks for a full protein break
  • With plain yogurt or skyr: Drop a chunk into a high-protein bowl to balance flavor and texture
  • Post-lunch treat: Add a square alongside something savory like our carrot ribbon salad for a clean finish

Since cottage cheese fudge firms up but doesn’t turn icy, it’s also travel-safe for a few hours. Toss a slice into a prep tray with your sweet potato protein bowl and you’ve got a solid sweet finish with no sugar crash.

Flavor Combos Worth Trying

Once you’ve got the base recipe down, cottage cheese fudge can be modified endlessly. Try:

  • Mocha version: Mix in a little brewed espresso and cinnamon
  • Nutty chocolate: Swirl in peanut butter or almond butter before freezing
  • Spiced fudge: Add cayenne, chili powder, or black pepper for heat
  • No sweetener: Skip syrup entirely and use dark chocolate only for a richer, less sweet take

You can even coat your fudge in crushed pistachios or hemp seeds to add texture without needing to bake or blend again. Cottage cheese fudge has enough body to hold toppings, which makes it more versatile than protein bars or mousse cups.

Cottage Cheese Fudge Questions, Answered

What ingredients are used in cottage cheese fudge?

Most cottage cheese fudge recipes keep it simple. You’ll usually need blended cottage cheese, melted chocolate or cocoa powder, a sweetener like maple syrup or monk fruit, and vanilla extract. Some versions add salt, nut butter, or even protein powder for extra macros. We walk through our version in Part 2 of this guide.

Is cottage cheese fudge actually high in protein?

Yes—and that’s a big reason it’s become popular. Cottage cheese is naturally high in protein, and since the recipe doesn’t rely on flour or added fat, you’re getting a dense snack without filler. Many cottage cheese fudge squares pack 6–10 grams of protein each, depending on how you build your batch. Try pairing it with our high protein taco bowl for a meal-prep win.

Does cottage cheese change the taste of the fudge?

Not really. Once blended and frozen with chocolate, the taste of cottage cheese almost disappears. You get the texture and richness without the tang. If anything, it’s a little smoother and creamier than traditional fudge. You can mask it even more with espresso, cinnamon, or nut butter.

How long should you freeze cottage cheese fudge?

Freeze it for 2 to 3 hours—just long enough to set it firm for slicing. If you’re storing it longer, transfer the squares to an airtight container. You can eat them frozen or let them sit for a few minutes to soften. This makes cottage cheese fudge great for weekly prep or packing into a snack kit.

Can you make cottage cheese fudge without added sugar?

Absolutely. If you’re using sweetened chocolate chips or very dark chocolate (70%+), that may be all the sweetness you need. You can skip maple syrup entirely or substitute with zero-calorie options like stevia. Try pairing that low-sugar batch with something naturally sweet, like carrot ribbon salad, for balance.

Conclusion: Cottage Cheese Fudge Is Worth Keeping in Your Freezer

Whether you’re trying to snack smarter or just want a dessert that doesn’t knock you out at 3 PM, cottage cheese fudge is the kind of recipe that makes real sense. It’s fast to blend, simple to store, and easy to tweak depending on what you have on hand.

You’re not melting butter or messing with sugar thermometers. You’re grabbing a few pantry basics, blending them up, freezing for a couple hours, and slicing off a piece whenever you need something solid, creamy, and chocolate-forward. It’s one of the most practical recipes to come out of the protein-forward trend—and unlike a lot of those, it actually holds up in a real meal prep week.

Need more sweet ideas that work on a weekday? Check out what Gina’s doing over at Skinnytaste. Or browse more prep-friendly desserts and snacks on Pinterest.

4 thoughts on “Cottage Cheese Fudge – Easy, Irresistible Treat (5g Protein)”

  1. I was skeptical, but this turned out rich and chocolatey without any weird aftertaste. Cottage cheese fudge might be my new favorite snack.






    Reply
  2. I’ve made this three times now—it freezes great and fits my macros perfectly. I add a little cinnamon or espresso for extra flavor.






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  3. Super easy to blend and set. I used monk fruit instead of maple syrup and it still tasted great. Good texture, especially straight from the fridge.






    Reply
  4. Love that it’s no-bake and not overly sweet. I paired it with banana slices and walnuts like suggested. Great prep snack for busy weeks.






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