Creamy No-Churn Peach Cottage Cheese Ice Cream
Enjoy a taste of summer with this Easy Peach Cottage Cheese Ice Cream! A simple, no-churn, high-protein recipe blending cottage cheese, fresh peaches, and sweetener until creamy.
Ingredients
(Based on 1x column, makes about 4 servings)
- ▢ 2 cups cottage cheese (4% or 2% fat recommended)
- ▢ 1 cup fresh peaches, peeled and sliced (from about 1-2 ripe peaches)
- ▢ 1/2 cup honey or maple syrup (adjust to taste)
- ▢ 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Garnish (Optional):
- ▢ Fresh peach slices
- ▢ Crumbled shortbread cookies or graham crackers
Instructions
1. Prepare Peaches:
- Peel the fresh peaches using a vegetable peeler or by blanching them briefly in boiling water then plunging in ice water (skins should slip off).
- Slice the peaches, discarding the pit. Measure out 1 cup of sliced peaches.
2. Combine Ingredients in Blender:
- Place the cottage cheese, 1 cup of peeled and sliced fresh peaches, honey or maple syrup, and vanilla extract into the container of your blender or food processor.
3. Blend Until Smooth:
- Secure the lid tightly. Blend the mixture on high speed until exceptionally smooth, creamy, and uniformly colored. This is crucial and may take 1-3 minutes.
- Stop periodically and scrape down the sides of the container with a rubber spatula to ensure all ingredients, including any peach fibers, are fully blended. The texture should resemble a very thick smoothie.
4. Initial Freeze:
- Pour the blended peach mixture into a shallow, freezer-safe dish. Smooth the top.
- Place the dish uncovered in the freezer for 1-2 hours, until the edges are frozen firm and the center is becoming icy but still slushy.
5. Stir During Freezing (No-Churn Method):
- Remove the dish from the freezer. Vigorously stir the mixture with a sturdy spoon or spatula, breaking up all the frozen parts and mixing them thoroughly with the softer center. Scrape the sides and bottom well. Smooth the top again.
- Return the dish to the freezer. Repeat this stirring process every 30 minutes for the next 1-2 hours (aiming for about 2-4 stirring sessions in total). This minimizes ice crystals and promotes a creamier texture.
6. Final Freeze:
- After the last stirring session, cover the container tightly (press plastic wrap onto the surface or use an airtight lid).
- Freeze until completely firm, typically another 2-4 hours or overnight.
7. Thaw Briefly and Serve:
- Before serving, let the container sit at room temperature for 5-10 minutes to soften slightly for easier scooping.
- Scoop the Peach Cottage Cheese Ice Cream into bowls or cones. Garnish with fresh peach slices or crumbled cookies, if desired.