If you’re looking for a delightful treat that brings a soft, tender bite with a subtle tang, this Cottage Cheese Cookies Recipe is exactly what you need to try next. These cookies combine the creamy richness of cottage cheese with the sweet, comforting notes of coconut sugar and dark chocolate chips, delivering a unique texture and flavor that feels both wholesome and indulgent. Perfectly soft, yet holding their shape beautifully, these cookies will quickly become a beloved addition to your baking repertoire and a cozy snack for any time of day.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Nothing complicated here—just a handful of straightforward ingredients that work in harmony to create these soft and flavorful cookies. Each ingredient plays an important role, whether it’s boosting moistness, adding richness, or bringing a hint of sweetness and texture.
- Unsalted butter (1 stick, melted or browned): Adds richness and depth with a subtle nuttiness when browned.
- Coconut sugar (⅔ cup): Offers a caramel-like sweetness that’s less processed than regular sugar.
- Cottage cheese (½ cup, blended until smooth): The star ingredient for moistness and a gentle tangy flavor.
- Vanilla extract (2 tsp): Brightens the dough with warm, aromatic notes.
- Egg (1): Binds the dough and helps create a tender texture.
- Gluten free flour (1 ½ cups): Provides structure while keeping it suitable for gluten-sensitive friends.
- Baking soda (1 tsp): Leavens the cookies, making them soft and slightly airy.
- Sea salt (½ tsp): Balances sweetness and enhances all the flavors.
- Mini dark chocolate chips (1 cup): Adds bursts of rich, bittersweet chocolate in every bite.
How to Make Cottage Cheese Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare
Start by preheating your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper. This ensures your cookies will bake evenly and won’t stick, making cleanup a breeze.
Step 2: Mix Butter and Sugar
In a large mixing bowl, combine your melted (or beautifully browned) butter with the coconut sugar. Stir them together gently until fully incorporated. This blend creates the caramel undertones that make these cookies so irresistible.
Step 3: Add Wet Ingredients
Next, incorporate the blended cottage cheese, vanilla extract, and egg. The cottage cheese adds moisture and a slight tang, which balances the sweetness perfectly. Mixing these well ensures your cookie dough is rich and smooth.
Step 4: Incorporate Dry Ingredients
Now stir in the gluten free flour, baking soda, and sea salt. The dough should come together just like traditional cookie dough—soft but firm enough to hold its shape without sticking excessively to your hands.
Step 5: Fold in Chocolate Chips
Gently fold in the mini dark chocolate chips, spreading that luscious chocolate love throughout every bite. These little morsels add contrast and a bit of texture that makes the cookies extra special.
Step 6: Scoop and Bake
Using a cookie scoop, place rounded balls of dough onto the lined baking sheet, spacing them apart as they will spread a bit. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until the edges just start turning a very light golden brown, ensuring a soft center.
Step 7: Cool and Enjoy
Once baked, remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to cool on the baking sheet for about 15 minutes. This resting time lets them firm up slightly and makes them easier to handle without losing their tender crumb.
How to Serve Cottage Cheese Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
While these cookies shine perfectly on their own, a light dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of melted dark chocolate can elevate their look and flavor beautifully. Fresh berries or a sprinkle of flaky sea salt also add fun visual and taste contrasts.
Side Dishes
These cookies pair wonderfully with a warm cup of tea, a small glass of milk, or even a creamy latte. Their mild tang and sweet chocolate undertones complement many beverages, making them a cozy treat for afternoon or evening snacking.
Creative Ways to Present
Try stacking these cookies with a dollop of whipped cream or mascarpone between them for a quick icebox-style dessert sandwich. Or serve them alongside a fresh fruit salad for a lighter, balanced dessert option that delights both kids and adults alike.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
You can keep these Cottage Cheese Cookies fresh by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. Make sure they’re completely cooled before sealing to avoid condensation that could soften them too much.
Freezing
If you want to enjoy them later, freeze the cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet until firm, then transfer to a zip-top freezer bag. They’ll last for up to 2 months in the freezer without losing texture or flavor.
Reheating
To warm them back up, simply let frozen cookies thaw at room temperature or pop them in a preheated oven at 300 degrees Fahrenheit for 5 to 7 minutes. This helps restore their soft, just-baked charm.
FAQs
Can I use regular sugar instead of coconut sugar?
Absolutely! Regular granulated sugar or brown sugar can be swapped in, though coconut sugar lends a subtle caramel note that complements the cottage cheese beautifully.
Is this Cottage Cheese Cookies Recipe suitable for gluten-free diets?
Yes, provided you use a gluten free flour blend as specified. This way, people with gluten sensitivities can also enjoy these soft and tasty cookies without worry.
Can I substitute the chocolate chips for something else?
Definitely. Feel free to try chopped nuts, dried fruit, or white chocolate chips to customize your cookies to your favorite flavors and textures.
Why do I need to blend the cottage cheese?
Blending cottage cheese ensures a smooth texture in your cookie dough, avoiding any curd-like lumps and helping the cookies bake evenly with a tender crumb.
Can I make these cookies dairy-free?
With a few adjustments, such as using dairy-free butter and a suitable non-dairy cottage cheese alternative or silken tofu, you might get a similar result, but the unique flavor from cottage cheese may be missing.
Final Thoughts
If you haven’t yet made this Cottage Cheese Cookies Recipe, I can’t recommend it enough. It’s an easy, enjoyable way to bake something that feels a little different yet deeply comforting. Soft, flavorful, and just sweet enough with chocolate chips woven through, these cookies are sure to become a regular favorite you’ll want to share with friends and family.
Print
Cottage Cheese Cookies Recipe
- Total Time: 22 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
These Cottage Cheese Cookies are a deliciously soft and chewy treat made with wholesome ingredients including cottage cheese, coconut sugar, and gluten-free flour. Perfect for those seeking a unique twist on traditional cookies with a slight tang and rich chocolate chip goodness.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 stick unsalted butter (melted or browned)
- ⅔ cup coconut sugar
- ½ cup cottage cheese (blended until smooth)
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 egg
- 1 ½ cups gluten free flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp sea salt
- 1 cup mini dark chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prepare for baking.
- Mix Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, combine the melted butter and coconut sugar, stirring until smooth and well blended.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Stir in the blended cottage cheese, vanilla extract, and egg until the mixture is fully combined and creamy.
- Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Add gluten free flour, baking soda, and sea salt to the wet mix, stirring until the dough forms and resembles typical cookie dough consistency.
- Fold in Chocolate Chips: Gently fold the mini dark chocolate chips into the dough evenly without overmixing.
- Scoop Dough: Use a cookie scoop to portion out balls of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them appropriately for baking.
- Bake Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes or until the cookie edges are just very lightly browned, indicating doneness.
- Cool Cookies: Remove from oven and let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 15 minutes before carefully transferring them to a wire rack or plate to finish cooling.
Notes
- For best texture, ensure the cottage cheese is well blended until smooth before adding.
- Using gluten-free flour allows these cookies to be suitable for those with gluten sensitivities.
- If you prefer a sweeter cookie, increase coconut sugar slightly, but keep in mind the moisture balance.
- Cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerated for a week.
- Optional: Add chopped nuts for extra crunch if desired.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
