High-Protein Strawberry Cheesecake Jars
About this Recipe
These jars are one of my favorite sweet protein-packed breakfasts or desserts to prep in convenient single-serve jars! They taste like cheesecake, but they are a lot healthier than the cream-cheese and buttery traditional dessert. We use some crushed graham crackers or granola at the base of the jars for a “crust,’ strained cottage cheese with maple syrup and protein powder for the the cheesecake layer and fresh strawberries for the flavor. There is not baking or oven requires for these, and the only work is really straining the cottage cheese to make the cheesecake layer nice and thick. We use only a handful of ingredients and they come together in just 15 minutes! Perfect for a sweet breakfast or a clean sweet treat for dessert, plus they are great on the go. I love to include these in my weekly meal prep rotation, because they are easy and keep well in the refrigerator. Each jar has over 30 grams of protein, and they are packed with fiber from the strawberries. The recipe is simple, made with minimal ingredients and comes together in just 15 minutes!
Why Cottage Cheese?
- High Protein – It is super rich in protein, which is great for keeping you full for longer.
- Creamy Texture – It is super creamy, but also lower in fat making it a great alternative to cream cheese and butter.
- Nutrient Dense – Cottage cheese is also packed with calcium and vitamins to add a nutrient boost.
High Protein Strawberry Cheesecake Jars are the perfect jars to prep for a breakfast or a healthier dessert.
What are High-Protein Strawberry Cheesecake Jars?
This recipe is essentially a healthy version of a cheesecake. I say “healthy,” because we use protein-packed cottage cheese, protein-packed protein power and unrefined maple syrup instead of cream cheese, butter and sugar. They are much lower in sugar and much higher in protein. These jars make a great sweet breakfast option or lighter dessert alternative. They are no-bake, and made by simply straining the cottage cheese, blending the ingredients and layering the jars. This can be enjoyed immediately or stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for later in the week! Sounds good right? So let’s make them!
How to make High-Protein Strawberry Cheesecake Jars?
- Strain the Cottage Cheese
Place the cottage cheese in cheesecloth or a fine strainer and squeeze out as much liquid as you can. (Don’t toss the liquid! See my note below.) - Blend the Filling
Add the strained cottage cheese, maple syrup, vanilla protein powder, vanilla extract, and a squeeze of lemon juice to a food processor or use an immersion blender. Blend until the mixture is thick and creamy, like ricotta cheese. - Assemble the Jars
In four 10-oz jars, layer 2-3 tablespoons of crushed graham crackers or granola at the bottom. Spoon in one-fourth of the cottage cheese mixture, top with a generous 1/3 cup of strawberries, and finish with a tablespoon of whipped topping. - Enjoy or Chill
You can enjoy these right away or pop them in the fridge to chill for later!
What you’ll need:
- Maple Syrup – for sweetness.
- Vanilla Protein Powder – I use whey protein here, but you can use plant protein *see notes.
- Vanilla – for extra flavor.
- Cottage Cheese – to create a creamy, cheesecake-like consistency.
- Lemon – acid to add to the cheesecake-flavor.
- Graham Crackers or Granola – for a crumble ‘crust’ at the bottom of the jars.
- Strawberries – because we need strawberries!
- Whipped Topping – I like to use So Delicious Coco Whip or Cool Whip for a sweet creamy topping for the jars, but you can omit or use whipped cream.
How to serve High-Protein Strawberry Cheesecake Jars?
These jars do not need any special preparation once we make them, because they are ready to enjoy! Once we blend the cottage cheese, layer the jars and cap them up, simply enjoy as is. I store them in the glass container in the refrigerator and grab one as I please. Sometimes I will pack one in my husband’s lunch box, and they often end up being my dessert when I am craving something sweet at night.
Tips:
- If you use plant protein, you may need to add a splash of milk if it gets too thick.
- If you prefer a different berry or fruit, feel free to sub the strawberries
- Be sure to strain the liquid and save the liquid whey from the cottage cheese and use it as buttermilk in baking or protein and creaminess in smoothies or sauces.
- To store, simply store the jars in the refrigerator for up to a week.
High-Protein Strawberry Cheesecake Jars
Ingredients
- 32 oz container 2% cottage cheese
- 3-4 tablespoons maple syrup, depending on sweetness preference
- 2 scoops vanilla protein
- 1 1/2 tsp vanilla
- Squeeze lemon juice
- 10-12 tbsp crushed graham crackers or granola
- 1 1/2 cups finely chopped strawberries
- 4 tablespoons of whipped topping (like So Delicious Coco Whip) or whipped cream
Instructions
Use cheescloth or a strainer and squeeze to strain the liquid from the cottage cheese. Do not discard, see notes below.
Add the strained cottage cheese, maple syrup, protein, vanilla and lemon juice to a food processor or use an immersion blender, and process until it becomes the consistency of a thick ricotta cheese.
To four 10 oz jars, add 2-3 tablespoons of the graham crackers, followed by 1/4 of the cottage cheese mixture, followed by a heaping 1/3 cup of strawberries and topped with 1 tablespoon of the whipped topping.
Notes
* Be sure to strain as much liquid as you can from the cottage cheese to ensure thickness.
* Save the liquid from the cottage cheese. This is whey and packed with protein. Save it for later and use in smoothies, in place of buttermilk in baking or to add creaminess to sauces.
* Feel free to use other berries or another kind of fruit.
