Lighter Chocolate Cottage Cheesecake (Printer-Friendly)

A rich, high-protein chocolate cheesecake made lighter with cottage cheese and Greek yogurt.

# What You'll Need:

→ Crust

01 - 1 cup graham cracker crumbs
02 - 2 tbsp coconut oil or melted butter
03 - 1 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
04 - 1 tbsp maple syrup

→ Filling

05 - 2 cups low-fat cottage cheese
06 - 3/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
07 - 2 large eggs
08 - 1/2 cup granulated sugar or sweetener of choice
09 - 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
10 - 1 tsp vanilla extract
11 - 1 tbsp cornstarch
12 - 1/3 cup dark chocolate chips, melted and cooled

→ Topping

13 - 2 tbsp Greek yogurt
14 - 1 tbsp honey or maple syrup
15 - Dark chocolate shavings

# Method:

01 - Preheat oven to 340°F. Line base of 8-inch springform pan with parchment paper.
02 - Mix graham cracker crumbs, cocoa powder, coconut oil, and maple syrup until combined. Press evenly into pan bottom. Bake 8 minutes, then set aside.
03 - Blend cottage cheese until completely smooth, about 1-2 minutes. Add Greek yogurt, eggs, sugar, cocoa powder, vanilla, cornstarch, and melted chocolate. Blend until silky.
04 - Pour filling over cooled crust. Smooth top evenly with spatula.
05 - Bake 35-40 minutes until center is just set but slightly wobbly. Turn off oven, crack door, cool inside 1 hour.
06 - Remove from oven. Refrigerate at least 3 hours until fully set.
07 - Spread with Greek yogurt topping if desired. Sprinkle with dark chocolate shavings before serving.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • You get that velvety chocolate cheesecake experience without the post-dessert heaviness that usually sends you into a food coma
  • The cottage cheese secretly amps up the protein to 11 grams per slice, making it practically breakfast
02 -
  • I learned the hard way that blending cottage cheese thoroughly is non negotiable because those tiny lumps become offensive in a chocolate dessert
  • The gentle cooling in the oven prevents the dreaded crack that appears when cheesecakes cool too quickly
03 -
  • Run a knife around the edge of the pan before releasing the springform to prevent any sticking
  • Room temperature ingredients blend more easily so take everything out about 30 minutes before starting
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