Bright, nutty, and surprisingly light — this Snickers-inspired ice cream uses cottage cheese to add protein and a silky body.
It’s an easy blender-and-churn recipe that delivers big indulgence with a simple ingredient list.
If you like creative cottage cheese desserts, try something similar with fruit bowls like this baked blueberry cottage cheese breakfast bowl for more ideas.
This recipe is perfect for weeknight treats and make-ahead entertaining.
Why You’ll Love This Cottage Cheese Snickers Ice Cream
- High-protein twist on a classic candy-bar flavor.
- Creamy texture without a custard base.
- Fast to blend and churn.
- Flexible mix-ins for texture.
- Family-friendly and crowd-pleasing.
- Easy to portion and freeze for meal prep.
The flavor is rich and layered: peanut butter warmth, ribbons of chocolate and caramel, and crunchy salted peanuts.
The cottage cheese + heavy cream base yields a dense, scoopable ice cream with a slightly fudgy mouthfeel that echoes a Snickers bar without being overly sweet.
“Five stars — astonishingly creamy and decadent. The cottage cheese makes it feel indulgent but keeps me full. My kids asked for it twice!”
Key Ingredients for Cottage Cheese Snickers Ice Cream
Cottage cheese
Cottage cheese provides the protein and body that make this version stand out. Choose small-curd, full-fat cottage cheese for the smoothest blend and richest flavor. If you substitute with Greek yogurt, expect a tangier profile and a thinner texture that may need more cream.
Heavy cream
Heavy cream adds fat and silkiness, balancing the tang of the cottage cheese. Buy cream labeled 36%+ milkfat for best mouthfeel. If you use half-and-half, the ice cream will be icier and less rich.
Peanut butter
Peanut butter gives the classic Snickers flavor and stabilizes the base slightly thanks to its oils. Use a creamy, stirred natural peanut butter for pure peanut flavor or a commercial smooth peanut butter for a sweeter, more uniform result. Substituting almond butter will change the flavor profile and sweetness but still works.
Caramel sauce
Caramel sauce provides the sweet, sticky ribbons that make this feel like a candy bar. A high-quality store-bought salted caramel or a homemade soft caramel both work well. If you skip caramel, increase chocolate swirl or chopped peanuts to maintain interest.
Full Ingredient List for Cottage Cheese Snickers Ice Cream
- 2 cups cottage cheese
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup peanut butter
- 1/2 cup chocolate syrup
- 1/2 cup caramel sauce
- 1/2 cup chopped peanuts
- 1/2 cup sugar (or to taste)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Step-by-Step Instructions for Cottage Cheese Snickers Ice Cream
Step 1: Blend the base
In a blender, combine the cottage cheese, heavy cream, peanut butter, sugar, and vanilla extract.
Blend on medium-high until the mixture is completely smooth and there are no visible curds.
Pro Tip: The base should look glossy and pourable with no white specks; it should smell faintly of peanut butter and vanilla.
Step 2: Swirl in the syrups
Transfer the blended base to a large bowl. Pour in the chocolate syrup and caramel, then use a spatula to gently fold them in to create ribbons and streaks. Don’t overmix if you want distinct swirls.
Pro Tip: Visually, you should see dark chocolate ribbons and lighter caramel streaks against the pale base.
Step 3: Fold in the peanuts
Gently fold the chopped peanuts into the swirled base so they are evenly distributed. Reserve a few tablespoons to sprinkle on top when serving.
Pro Tip: The mixture should show visible flecks of peanuts and feel slightly textured, not fully smooth.
Step 4: Churn the ice cream
Pour the mixture into your ice cream maker and churn according to the manufacturer’s directions until it reaches a soft-serve consistency. This usually takes 20–30 minutes depending on your machine.
Pro Tip: The churned ice cream should cling to the paddle and be thick but scoopable — like thick soft-serve.
Step 5: Freeze until firm
Transfer the churned ice cream to a freezer-safe container. Press plastic wrap directly onto the surface to prevent ice crystals, seal with a lid, and freeze for at least 4 hours or overnight for a firmer set.
Pro Tip: The surface should feel solid when you press lightly, with no liquid pooling on top.
Step 6: Serve and enjoy
Remove the container from the freezer and let it soften at room temperature for 5–10 minutes before scooping. Top with extra chocolate syrup, caramel, and reserved chopped peanuts if desired.
Pro Tip: When ready to scoop, the ice cream should give slightly under the spoon and form a clean scoop without shattering.
Expert Tips for Cottage Cheese Snickers Ice Cream
- Chill ingredients: Keep the cottage cheese and cream cold before blending to cut down on churn time and reduce ice crystallization.
- Texture troubleshooting: If the base seems grainy after blending, blend longer and strain through a fine-mesh sieve to remove any curd remnants.
- Sugar adjustments: Taste the blended base before churning and adjust sugar; the swirls add a lot of sweetness so balance accordingly.
- Equipment tip: An ice cream maker with a pre-frozen bowl speeds churning, but a compressor machine is best for consistent texture.
- Avoid freezer burn: Press plastic wrap onto the surface and store in an airtight container; avoid frequent thaw-refreeze cycles.
- Common mistakes: Overmixing the chocolate and caramel eliminates distinct ribbons; under-churning leaves a slushy texture.
- Serving temperature: Serve after a brief 5–10 minute temper at room temperature for the best scoopable texture.
- Peanut distribution tip: Add half the peanuts to the churn and fold the rest in after freezing for textural contrast.
Storage & Freezing for Cottage Cheese Snickers Ice Cream
Fridge storage: If you have leftover churned but unfrozen ice cream, keep it in the coldest part of the fridge for up to 24 hours in an airtight container. This is best only if you plan to re-freeze immediately.
Freezer storage: Store in a shallow, airtight container for quicker freezing and less ice-crystal formation. Freeze for up to 2 weeks for best texture and up to 1 month if well sealed.
Thawing: Transfer to the fridge for 15–30 minutes before serving if you prefer a more scoopable texture. For faster use, leave at room temperature for 5–10 minutes.
Best containers: Use rigid, shallow plastic or metal containers with tight-fitting lids. Press plastic wrap directly onto the surface before sealing to minimize air contact.
Variations & Substitutions for Cottage Cheese Snickers Ice Cream
Chocolate-peanut swirl (higher cocoa): Replace 1/4 cup of the chocolate syrup with melted dark chocolate and fold in for a deeper chocolate flavor. The result will be richer, slightly less sweet, and more chocolate-forward.
Salted caramel boost: Use salted caramel sauce and sprinkle extra flaky sea salt on top before serving. This enhances contrast and makes the caramel ribbons pop against the creamy base.
No-sugar-added version: Substitute sugar with a granulated erythritol blend to reduce carbs. Expect a slightly different cooling sensation on the palate and adjust sweetness to taste.
Nut-free version: Swap peanut butter for sunflower seed butter and use roasted pepitas instead of peanuts. This preserves texture and richness while being allergy-friendly.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cottage Cheese Snickers Ice Cream
Q: Can I use low-fat cottage cheese?
A: Yes, but the texture will be less creamy and more icy because of lower fat content. To compensate, increase heavy cream slightly or add 1–2 tablespoons of corn syrup or glycerin to reduce crystallization.
Q: Do I need an ice cream maker?
A: An ice cream maker gives the best texture but you can use the freeze-and-stir method: freeze the blended base in a shallow pan and vigorously whisk every 30 minutes until set. This requires more hands-on time and may yield a slightly icier texture.
Q: How long does homemade ice cream last in the freezer?
A: For peak flavor and texture, consume within 2 weeks. When properly sealed, it can last up to a month, but expect gradual flavor loss and potential freezer burn after that.
Q: Can I make this ahead for a party?
A: Yes. Freeze fully up to 48 hours in advance. Store in a rigid container and let sit 5–10 minutes at room temperature before serving. For larger gatherings, portion into small cups and top with extra syrup and peanuts.
Q: Is cottage cheese noticeable in the finished ice cream?
A: When blended thoroughly with cream and peanut butter, cottage cheese adds body and a subtle tang but is not overtly detectable. If you want absolutely no curd taste, choose small-curd, full-fat cottage cheese and blend extra until silky smooth.
Final Thoughts on Cottage Cheese Snickers Ice Cream
This recipe is a smart, protein-forward way to enjoy a Snickers-style frozen treat without a custard base.
If you loved this twist, please leave a star rating in the recipe card below and pin the recipe to Pinterest.
For more inspiration and variations on cottage cheese ice cream and similar recipes, check out this take on a date Snickers cottage cheese ice cream.
If you want a simple, creamy base tutorial, this cottage cheese ice cream guide is a helpful read.
For a protein-packed Snickers-style option, see the Snickers protein ice cream with cottage cheese.
Want a cottage cheese bowl version with similar flavors? Try this healthy cottage cheese Snickers bowl.
And for a salted caramel spin check this salted caramel cottage cheese ice cream.
Cottage Cheese Snickers Ice Cream
Ingredients
Method
- In a blender, combine the cottage cheese, heavy cream, peanut butter, sugar, and vanilla extract. Blend on medium-high until smooth.
- Transfer to a large bowl and gently fold in the chocolate syrup and caramel. Do not overmix to maintain distinct swirls.
- Fold in the chopped peanuts, reserving some for topping.
- Pour the mixture into your ice cream maker and churn according to the manufacturer's instructions until it reaches soft-serve consistency (approximately 20–30 minutes).
- Transfer to a freezer-safe container, pressing plastic wrap directly onto the surface, sealing with a lid, and freeze for at least 4 hours or overnight.
- Allow ice cream to soften at room temperature for 5–10 minutes before scooping. Serve with extra chocolate syrup, caramel, and reserved chopped peanuts.