Introducing frozen cottage cheese bark made with fresh strawberries. This is a delicious and wholesome frozen treat that combines the creamy goodness of cottage cheese with the natural sweetness of fresh strawberries. This easy-to-make recipe is a great way to satisfy your sweet tooth, and boost your protein intake while enjoying a nutritious snack.
With just a few simple ingredients and minimal effort, you can create a batch of these cottage cheese treats that are perfect for hot summer days or whenever you’re craving something sweet but also healthy.
- Why You’ll Love This Frozen Cottage Cheese Bark
- Ingredients For Your Cottage Cheese Bark
- How To Make frozen Cottage Cheese Bark with Strawberries
- Tips For Making The Best cottage cheese bark
- Popular Substitutions & Additions
- How To Store Leftovers
- FAQs
- Don’t Forget To Come Back And Let Me Know How Your Cottage Cheese Bark Turned Out!
- Frozen Cottage Cheese Bark (Strawberry!)
Why You’ll Love This Frozen Cottage Cheese Bark
- Delicious: The combination of creamy cottage cheese and sweet strawberries creates a delicious flavor profile that is both refreshing and satisfying.
- Nutritious ingredients: This recipe incorporates whole milk cottage cheese and fresh strawberries. These two ingredients are packed with nutrients like protein, calcium, and vitamin C. It’s a treat you can enjoy while still aligning with your health goals.
- Easy to Make: With just a food processor and a few simple steps, you can whip up a batch of these frozen bites in no time. It requires minimal effort and is beginner-friendly, making it a perfect recipe for anyone to try.
- Versatile Toppings: You have the freedom to personalize your frozen cottage cheese bark by adding your favorite toppings. Whether you prefer chopped nuts, extra slices of strawberries, a drizzle of melted chocolate, or a dollop of nut butter, you can customize it to suit your taste.
- Freezer-Friendly: This is one of those frozen cottage cheese recipes you can make ahead of time and store in the freezer. They make a great grab-and-go snack or a nutritious dessert option.
Ingredients For Your Cottage Cheese Bark
Here are the ingredients you’ll need to make this frozen cottage cheese bark along with optional swaps:
- Whole milk cottage cheese: Creamy and rich in flavor, cottage cheese adds a smooth and satisfying base to this recipe. You can use low-fat cottage cheese if preferred. I like to use whole milk cottage cheese because the extra fat helps keep you full for longer, and it results in a creamier texture.
- Fresh strawberries: Strawberries provide a burst of natural flavor and vibrant color to the bark. You can swap strawberries for other fresh berries like blueberries, raspberries, or a mix of berries based on your preference.
- Honey: The natural sweetness of honey enhances the overall taste and helps balance the tartness of cottage cheese and strawberries. If you prefer an alternative sweetener, feel free to swap it out. You can use maple syrup, stevia, or any sugar substitute.
Toppings:
- Nuts. I used pistachios. You can use other nuts like almonds, walnuts, or pecans. Choose your favorite or create a mix of different nuts for added variety.
- Seeds. I used sunflower seeds for a nice crunch. You can use other seeds such as chia seeds, flax seeds, sesame seeds, or hemp seeds.
- Chocolate Drizzle. Melt 1/4 cup chocolate chips with a teaspoon of coconut oil in 30-second intervals in the microwave and drizzle on top of the frozen cottage cheese bark.
- Nut Butter. Drizzle some nut butter on top of the strawberry cottage cheese bark for an extra boost of healthy fats and decadence.
Feel free to adjust the toppings based on your preference or use other ingredients like coconut shavings, additional sliced strawberries, melted chocolate drizzle, or nut butter. Get creative and make it your own!
How To Make frozen Cottage Cheese Bark with Strawberries
To make Frozen Cottage Cheese Bark with Strawberries, start by combining whole milk cottage cheese, fresh strawberries, and honey in a food processor.
Blend until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
Line a baking sheet or tray with parchment paper, then pour the cottage cheese mixture onto it.
Use a spatula to spread the mixture into a thin, even layer.
Now, it’s time to add your desired toppings. Sprinkle chopped pistachios, sunflower seeds, chia seeds, or any other toppings of your choice over the cottage cheese mixture.
Place the baking sheet in the freezer and let it freeze for a few hours or until firm. Once frozen, remove the bark from the freezer and break it into pieces.
Enjoy this delicious and refreshing treat straight from the freezer. It’s a perfect snack or dessert for hot summer days or any time you crave a cool and creamy indulgence.
Tips For Making The Best cottage cheese bark
Here are some tips to ensure you make the best Cottage Cheese Bark:
- Choose quality ingredients: Opt for fresh, high-quality cottage cheese. I use Good Culture Whole Milk Classic Cottage Cheese because it has less salt than other cottage cheese brands, and I find it to have the mildest flavor.
- Blend Until Smooth: Take the time to blend the cottage cheese, strawberries, and honey until you achieve a smooth and creamy consistency. This will ensure that your bark has a uniform texture.
- Use Parchment Paper: Line your baking sheet or tray with parchment paper before pouring the mixture. This will prevent the bark from sticking and make it easier to remove once frozen.
- Spread Evenly: Use a spatula to spread the cottage cheese mixture evenly on the baking sheet. This will help ensure that your bark freezes uniformly and provides a consistent texture.
- Freeze Until Firm: Allow enough time for the bark to freeze until firm. This usually takes a few hours, but it’s best to check by gently pressing the bark with your finger. It should be solid and not leave an indentation.
- Break into Bite-Sized Pieces: Once the bark is frozen, remove it from the freezer and break it into bite-sized pieces. This makes it easier to serve and enjoy.
- Thaw for a few minutes. When ready to eat, let it thaw for a few minutes before eating to soften it.
Remember to have fun and get creative with your Cottage Cheese Bark. Feel free to adjust the recipe and toppings to suit your taste preferences. Enjoy!
Popular Substitutions & Additions
Here are some popular substitutions and additions you can try for your Cottage Cheese Bark:
- Yogurt Swap: Instead of using cottage cheese, you can substitute it with Greek yogurt or a dairy-free yogurt alternative. This will give your bark a tangier flavor and a slightly different texture.
- Fruit Variations: While strawberries are delicious, you can experiment with other fresh fruits too. Try using raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, or a combination of your favorite berries to add variety and different flavors to your bark.
- Vanilla Extract: Enhance the overall flavor of your bark by adding a splash of vanilla extract to the cottage cheese mixture. It will impart a delicious vanilla note and complement the fruity flavors.
- Sweetener Swaps: If you prefer alternative sweeteners, you can replace the honey with maple syrup, stevia, or a sugar substitute according to your dietary needs and taste preferences.
- Nut Butter Drizzle: Along with the toppings, you can add a drizzle of your favorite nut butter such as almond butter, peanut butter, or cashew butter. This will add a creamy and nutty element to your cottage cheese bark.
Melted chocolate: If you’re a chocolate lover, consider adding chocolate chips or a drizzle of melted chocolate on top of your bark. It will provide a rich and indulgent touch.
How To Store Leftovers
To store leftovers of Cottage Cheese Bark, follow these guidelines:
Transfer to an Airtight Container: Place any remaining Cottage Cheese Bark pieces in an airtight container. Ensure that the container is freezer-safe and properly sealed to prevent freezer burn and maintain the texture and flavor of the bark.
Label and date: It’s a good practice to label the container with the date you stored the leftovers. This will help you keep track of the freshness and ensure you consume them within the recommended timeframe.
Consume within a month: Cottage Cheese Bark can be stored in the freezer for up to a month. Beyond that, the texture and taste may start to deteriorate. It’s best to enjoy the bark within this timeframe for the best experience.
How Long Will Cottage Cheese Bark Last In the Freezer?
The shelf life of Cottage Cheese Bark in the freezer can last for approximately one month when stored properly. However, it’s important to note that the quality may start to decline after a while, and the bark may become less creamy and lose its optimal texture. Therefore, it’s recommended to consume the bark within the first month of freezing for the best taste and texture.
Always remember to use your discretion and check for any signs of freezer burn or changes in taste or texture before consuming leftovers. If in doubt, it’s better to err on the side of caution and discard any leftovers that appear to be past their prime.
FAQs
Frozen Cottage Cheese Bark is a frozen dessert or snack made with a mixture of cottage cheese, fruit, and sweeteners. The mixture is spread out into a thin layer and frozen until solid. Once frozen, it can be broken into pieces and enjoyed as a refreshing and creamy treat.
Cottage Cheese Bark has a creamy and slightly tangy taste from the cottage cheese. The flavor is further enhanced by the sweetness of the fruit and the chosen sweeteners, such as honey or maple syrup. The overall taste is refreshing and balanced, with a hint of tartness from the cottage cheese and the natural sweetness of the fruit.
When making Cottage Cheese Bark, it is recommended to use whole milk cottage cheese for a creamier and richer texture. Whole milk cottage cheese provides a smoother consistency and better flavor compared to low-fat varieties. However, if you prefer a lighter option, you can substitute with low-fat cottage cheese. It may result in a slightly less creamy texture, but it will still work well in the recipe.
Cottage Cheese Bark is typically stored in the freezer rather than the fridge. Freezing helps solidify the bark and maintain its texture. Storing it in the fridge may cause the bark to become too soft and lose its shape. However, if you prefer a softer and slightly thawed texture, you can store it in the fridge for a short period before consuming. Just be aware that the texture will be softer and more similar to a chilled pudding consistency rather than a frozen treat.
Don’t Forget To Come Back And Let Me Know How Your Cottage Cheese Bark Turned Out!
Frozen Cottage Cheese Bark (Strawberry!)
Equipment
- 1 food processor
Ingredients
- 15 ounces whole milk cottage cheese
- 1/2 cup strawberries fresh
- 2 tablespoons honey
Instructions
- In a food processor, combine the whole milk cottage cheese, fresh strawberries, and honey. Blend until smooth and well combined.
- Prepare a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Using a spoon or spatula, portion out the cottage cheese mixture onto the parchment paper.
- Optional: Add your choice of toppings such as chopped nuts, additional sliced strawberries, a drizzle of melted chocolate, or a dollop of nut butter on top of each portion.
- Place the baking sheet in the freezer and allow the strawberry cottage cheese bites to freeze for a few hours until firm.
- Once frozen, cut the bark into bite-size squares.
- When ready to enjoy, remove the desired number of bites from the freezer and let them thaw for a few minutes to soften slightly for a creamier texture.
Notes
- When ready to eat, remove the cottage cheese bark from the freezer and let it thaw for 3 minutes for a creamier texture.
- These frozen bites can be stored in the freezer for up to a month. Enjoy them as a healthy snack or a guilt-free dessert option.