Description
Delight in a creamy, blog-worthy frozen treat with this Salted Caramel Cottage Cheese Ice Cream. Blended to smooth perfection with natural sweetness from medjool dates and pure maple syrup, enriched with vanilla protein powder and a luscious homemade salted caramel drizzle, this ice cream offers a guilt-free indulgence that balances health and decadence.
Ingredients
Scale
Ice Cream Base
- 16 oz cottage cheese
- 1/4 cup pure maple syrup or honey
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1 pinch sea salt
- 6 whole Medjool dates, pitted
- 1/4 cup vanilla protein powder
- 2 Tbsp cashew butter
Salted Caramel Drizzle
- 2 Tbsp coconut oil, melted
- 3 Tbsp pure maple syrup
- 1/3 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1 pinch sea salt
Instructions
- Blend Ice Cream Base: Combine cottage cheese, vanilla protein powder, pure vanilla extract, maple syrup, and a pinch of sea salt in a blender. Blend until smooth, scraping down the sides as necessary to ensure an even mixture.
- Add Dates: Add the pitted Medjool dates to the blender and pulse or blend again until the dates are broken down into small chunks, providing natural sweetness and texture.
- Freeze Ice Cream: Pour the blended mixture into a small dish or loaf tin. Freeze for 3 to 4 hours until firm but scoopable.
- Prepare Caramel Drizzle: Whisk together melted coconut oil, pure maple syrup, creamy peanut butter, pure vanilla extract, and a pinch of sea salt until fully combined and smooth. This drizzle can be poured over the ice cream servings or mixed into the ice cream before freezing for caramel frozen chunks.
- Serve and Enjoy: Scoop the ice cream into bowls or cones. Drizzle with the salted caramel sauce if not already mixed in. For best texture, let thaw 15 to 20 minutes before serving.
Notes
- The best texture is achieved after freezing for 3 to 4 hours. Freezing longer will harden the ice cream, so allow it to thaw for 15 to 20 minutes before enjoying for optimal scoopability.
- Protein powder is optional; leaving it out will not affect the ice cream’s texture significantly.
- Pure maple syrup can be substituted with honey for natural sweetness.
- You can mix the caramel drizzle into the ice cream before freezing for delightful caramel chunks throughout.
- Using ripe Medjool dates ensures a softer texture and natural sweetness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 180 kcal
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 130 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg
