Cottage Cheese Mousse Recipe (Vanilla and Chocolate)

Indulge in creamy, dreamy Cottage Cheese Mousse! This easy recipe features vanilla and chocolate-flavored mousse in a decadent layered dessert.

It’s easy to make and a great way to satisfy your sweet tooth with a healthy, high-protein treat!

I don’t do desserts often, but when I do, I try to choose simple, health-conscious options such as yogurt parfaits and chia pudding.

Today, I’m excited to share my new favorite – this oh-so-creamy and delicious cottage cheese mousse!

Imagine a mousse with a smooth and velvety base of blended cottage cheese, maple syrup, and vanilla lightened up with fluffy whipped cream and set perfectly with a touch of gelatin. I couldn’t decide between vanilla and chocolate, so I divided the mousse into two layers – one pure vanilla, the other with deep chocolate flavor.

In this post, I’ll guide you through each step of making this delectable cottage cheese mousse, from blending the creamy cottage cheese to layering the mousse in dessert glasses.

You’ll also find helpful tips and substitutions to make this dessert your own. Give it a try, and you’ll see why it’s quickly become a staple in my healthy dessert lineup!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Here are the top four reasons this mousse is a guilt-free sweet treat game-changer:

• Protein-packed. With high-protein cottage cheese as the main ingredient, it makes a satisfying and nutritious treat.
• Sweetened naturally. Sweetened with maple syrup, it’s a refined sugar-free dessert option that doesn’t compromise on flavor.
• Easy to make. It doesn’t get much simpler than this, requiring just a few ingredients and minimal preparation time.
• Deliciously creamy. Combining whipped cream and blended cottage cheese creates the perfect balance between light, airy, and irresistibly smooth and creamy.

Ingredient Notes

Here’s everything you’ll need to make vanilla and chocolate-flavored cottage cheese mousse from scratch:

Here is a breakdown of the ingredients:

• Cottage cheese – Provides a rich, creamy base and a protein boost. For the creamiest texture, opt for full-fat cottage cheese.
• Maple syrup – Sweetens the mousse with a subtle maple flavor. You can experiment with honey, date syrup, stevia, monk fruit, or your sweetener of choice. Just keep in mind that they may slightly affect the taste and texture.
• Vanilla extract – Adds a warm and aromatic flavor. You can also use vanilla bean paste or the seeds from a vanilla bean.
• Unflavored gelatine powder – This helps to set the mousse, giving it a light and airy texture.
• Whipping cream – Adds richness and enhances the fluffiness! Coconut cream also works well here if it’s well-chilled before whipping.
• Cocoa powder – Provides the flavor for the chocolate mousse layer. High-quality cocoa powder or Dutch-process cocoa powder makes a noticeable difference in the taste.

How to Make Cottage Cheese Mousse

Ready to make this delicious layered dessert? Here’s how it’s done:

Step 1. Blend the cottage cheese.

Add the cottage cheese, maple syrup, and vanilla extract to a food processor or blender. Pulse a few times and then blend until smooth and creamy.

Step 2. Bloom the gelatin.

In a small bowl, sprinkle the gelatin powder over 1/4 cup of hot water. Stir well, then set aside to bloom.

Step 3. Whip the cream.

In a separate bowl, whip the heavy cream to stiff peaks using a hand mixer or stand mixer.

Step 4. Combine.

Using a rubber spatula, gently fold the cottage cheese mixture into the whipped cream until well combined.

Step 5. Incorporate the gelatin.

Ensure the gelatin has completely dissolved, then add it to the cottage cheese mixture and mix thoroughly.

Step 6. Divide and flavor.

Transfer half of the mousse mixture to another bowl. Sift the cocoa powder over the mixture in one of the bowls and mix until well combined.

Step 7. Layer and chill.

Layer the vanilla and chocolate cottage cheese mousse in dessert glasses or bowls and refrigerate for at least two hours.

Step 8. Serve.

Decorate with chocolate shavings, melted chocolate, fresh fruit, or your favorite toppings, and enjoy!

Recipe Tips

Follow these tips, and you’ll have a delicious dessert that’s sure to impress!

• Chill your mixing bowl and whisk in the freezer for about 15 minutes before whipping the cream. This makes the process so much easier.
• Whip the cream until stiff peaks form, but avoid overwhipping, which can cause the cream to separate.
• Make sure the gelatin is bloomed properly before adding it to the mousse mixture. If it’s not fully dissolved, gently warm it until it’s completely smooth.
• Fold gently! To maintain the airy texture, combine the whipped cream with the cottage cheese mixture as gently as possible.
• Use a spoon or piping bag to carefully layer the chocolate and vanilla mousse in your dessert glasses or bowls for a beautiful, layered presentation.

Variations

Make the most of your mousse by having fun with flavor:

• Mint chocolate – Add a few drops of mint extract to the cottage cheese chocolate mousse layer for a refreshing, minty twist.
• Mocha – Mix in a tablespoon of instant coffee granules with the cocoa powder for a coffee-chocolate fusion.
• Spiced chocolate – Add a pinch of cinnamon, nutmeg, or chili powder with the cocoa powder for a spiced kick.
• Fruit-infused – Add freshly squeezed lemon juice and zest or pureed fruit sauces like raspberry, strawberry, blueberry, or mango to the vanilla mousse.
• High protein – You can boost the protein content of this dessert even more by adding protein powder. Add chocolate protein powder to the chocolate half of the mousse and vanilla protein powder to the vanilla half of the mousse.

Storing & Freezing

Storing: Store leftover mousse in an airtight, covered container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days.

Freezing is not recommended.

More Healthy Dessert Recipes

If you loved this protein-packed mousse with cottage cheese, check out:

• Vegan Chocolate Ice Cream
• Coconut Bites
• Healthy Peach Crisp
• Baked Apples with Ricotta
• Blueberry Frozen Yogurt