 "Pin It")
Hi Friends!
Let’s talk about cottage cheese for a minute, shall we? I’ve never been a fan. There’s something about the little curds that just kinda freak me out. Hubby loves the stuff, however, and it’s a GREAT source of protein so I’ve decided I’m going to give it a fair shot. And by fair shot I mean, you’ll never catch me eating it plain, but I’ve decided to see if I can start to like it by hiding it IN things. First I tried pancakes. Hmmm, they were ok…but I’m still working on them. So we’ll come back to those. *Note- cottage cheese can be quite high in sodium so make sure you compare brands and try to find the one with the lowest sodium!
Next, I tried muffins. When I googled cottage cheese muffins, most of what you find are cottage cheese egg muffins…which are on my list, but I was looking for more like a real muffin…I was envisioning something that maybe replaced greek yogurt with cottage cheese. The closest thing I found to what I was looking for was this recipe…but with 3/4 c sugar and 1/2 c butter, it still wasn’t what I was looking for. I started thinking about how I could add some sweetness and I kept coming back to sweet potatoes-one of my favorite fall veggies. So, I decided to just give it a whirl. This is one of the biggest experiments to ever take place in my kitchen!
Here’s the recipe I used:
Cranberry Sweet Potato Cottage Cheese Muffins
Prep Time: 10 min
Cook Time: 30 min
Keywords: bake bread breakfast snack healthy vegetarian cranberry sweet potato cottage cheese
Ingredients (8-10 muffins)
- 2 Tbsp vegetable oil
- 2 Tbsp applesauce
- 1/4 c brown sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1/4 c skim milk
- 1/2 c low-fat small curd cottage cheese
- 1/2 c cooked sweet potato, mashed
- 1 c white whole wheat flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 c fresh cranberries (or frozen)
Instructions
1. Combine first 8 ingredients in a bowl and mix well.
2. Add flour and baking powder and stir until just combined.
3. Stir in the cranberries.
4. Scoop into greased muffin tins and bake at 350 degrees for 30 min.
Makes 8-10 medium muffins.
Pretty darn easy if you ask me! I have to admit I was skeptical as I put these in.
But then I ate one when they came out of the oven…and it was good! And then I ate another one for breakfast on Sunday morning, with my coffee, after heating it up for a few seconds in the microwave.
And it was just as good. And then hubby ate two. And then later in the afternoon, he ate two more. And then I packed one in my lunch for Monday…and then hubby asked me to make another batch 
So I did. They’re packed with protein, have some fiber and are just the right amount of sweet, without a lot of added sugar. Win!
Let’s chat! Are you a fan of cottage cheese? Have you ever baked with it?
Enjoy!
–Lindsay–
Ohhh, how festive!! I love that you added cottage cheese, I’d never think of that before! I guess it would be pretty similar to adding greek yogurt though.
I LOVE cottage cheese. Just had a bowl with protein powder and melted cherries, in fact.
It can be insanely high in sodium. FYI – Friendship make a no salt added version. I can find it at Publix here in ATL.
These muffins have been on my mind for days. I cannot wait to try them out! How can you go wrong with SP and small curd?
Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table recently posted..Work It Out 1.5
I have never baked with cottage cheese and don’t think the thought would have crossed my mind – but it’s brilliant!!
Erica { EricaDHouse.com } recently posted..Cardamom & Honey Roasted Sweet Potato + Vanilla & Thyme Roasted Butternut Squash
I am buying cottage cheese this week. I am SO excited for these muffins!!! They’re making me so hungry staring at them.
Amanda @ Run Principessa recently posted..My Hair Is Flat
i do like cottage cheese just buy itself, but these look good and perfect for fall/thanksgiving!
Linz @ Itz Linz recently posted..No More Running… Now What?
I can’t seem to get myself to like cottage cheese… as much as I try. But I love it in recipes! Going to the store to make these asap! Do you think they would still be good with oat flour instead of regular flour?
Andrea recently posted..I’M ENGAGED!!! Part 2: The Proposal
WONDERFUL recipe Lindsay!! I love how you add secret protein, fiber, and….calcium! I’d have to use the lactaid brand of cottage cheese, of course, but it’s actually really tasty.
The Candid RD recently posted..Confused Day Tuesday: Foods with "Fiber"
I would have never thought of this combo–you’re so creative!
Danica @ It’s Progression recently posted..my struggle: is it enough?
I am SO NOT a fan of cottage cheese. In fact, it is one of the only foods I truly hate. However…it’s mostly a texture thing so I would definitely be willing to try it in this form. Sounds too yummy not to.
Tina @ Best Body Fitness recently posted..Lovely
I saw this on Instagram and immediately came to the site to read the recipe. This is just the perfect little appetizer or treat during Thanksgiving!!
Aparna B. recently posted..Current Favorites and Other Scenes from the Weekend
These sound yummy!!!! You think i could use GF flour??
Cheers
~ Jillian
http://www.hersplitends.com
Jillian {Her Split Ends} recently posted..Last Chance Survey
These look SO good! I wish I could eat cottage cheese (or that someone would make a lactose-free version).
Katie @ Talk Less, Say More recently posted..Memories
I can’t wait to try these! I’ve been looking for a new way to use some of the sweet potatoes I get from the farmer’s market. Thanks for the recipe!
Kate @ Kate is eating recently posted..No-time November
These look awesome! I love how different they are from your typical muffin recipe! The addition of cottage cheese and sweet potato really makes them!
Danielle @ Clean Food Creative Fitness recently posted..Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Granola Bars (My twist on the Clif bar!)
Yum- these muffins look delicious! I’ve never baked with cottage cheese but now that you have enlightened me I must try it out
Natalie @ FreshLifeFindings recently posted..Farmer’s Market Finds + Family Time by the Fire
Oh. my. God. You really know how to make me drool woman. And I love using cottage cheese, such a good clean tasty protein!
maria @ lift love life recently posted..Caleb’s first birthday party!
I l-o-v-e cottage cheese! But only the non-runny kind – Kalona makes my absolute favorite kind. Too bad it’s like $4 or $5 a container
Now these just look delicious.
Paige @ Your Trainer Paige recently posted..How To Make Friends in the Gym (and How to Avoid People Always)
I LOVE cottage cheese! And these muffins look delicious!
Sabrina @Work It Ms Jackson recently posted..The Wedding {And a FAB apparel company and DEAL!}
I feel the same way about cottage cheese…eek! But I would definitely try baking with it! These look great! Oh and I LOVE your mug!!
Rachel @ the Avid Appetite recently posted..Spiced Cake Batter Caramel Popcorn Party Favors
i must say, i was skeptical when i saw your pic on instagram, BUT i think i want to try them now. my husband loves cottage cheese and i’m pretty grossed out by it but i do like it in things. my friend makes cottage cheese cookies every christmas that are great!
sarah k @ the pajama chef recently posted..Carnitas
This looks awesome!!! I actually love cottage cheese but know it is TOTALLY a texture thing for so many. (didn’t realize the sodium thing, good tip, as I go check mine…lol). How much protein do these clock in at, cals? I’ll calculate it myself if you haven’t though, no worries, just curious
Nice experiment gone WELL!
jobo recently posted..The thing about planning.
I love all the fun things you can do with muffin tins. I use them every day to make me some yummy muffin like goodness!
Great recipe
Kierston recently posted..Competition Season: A Recap
Those look SO good! I’ll definitely be trying those. I am a fan of cottage cheese, but have never cooked with it!
Katie @ from icecream to marathon recently posted..Manitoba Harvest Hemp Hearts Review and Giveaway!
I’m not a fan of cottage cheese by itself, but I would definitely be open to cooking with it! These look delicious, and very creative!
Kristen @ notsodomesticated recently posted..19 Weeks: Say Good-Bye to Regular Clothing (and another giveaway!).
I actually really like cottage cheese, but the one time I baked with it, the recipe was a fail. I love cranberries..I’m going to give these a try!
I love cottage cheese but am trying to reduce my dairy. And you’re right it can be high in sodium. I’m more likely to try and hide the sweet potato.
I’ve baked with cottage cheese but honestly I like it with a little honey and almonds. Yum!
Carli recently posted..Saying No to Chips
YUM!!! Can’t wait to try this recipe. The only thing I’ve ever used cottage cheese for in cooking is in lasagna…never in baking. There’s a first time for everything
Kelly @ No Sugar Sweet Life recently posted..Thanksgiving: {White Chocolate Pumpkin Pie Bites}
Yum! I love adding cottage cheese [and PB + cinnamon] on top of sweet potatoes so I bet these are tasty and would love to try them! Have you ever sliced muffins in half horizontally and toasted them? I love the crispy edges they get and with a bit of apple butter or PB, I bet these would be delic that way too!
Life’s a Bowl recently posted..Wordless WIAW 11.14.12
I’m VERY much not a fan of cottage cheese, which is why I haven’t baked with it before. I’m worried stuff will come out sour. But if you don’t like cottage cheese either and liked the muffin results, maybe I will try it!
Sylvie @ StruggleswithaFatAss recently posted..Friend Makin’ Monday: Thanksgiving Edition
definitely worth a try. i don’t even taste the cottage cheese in these
Made these this morning for Thanksgiving… doubled the recipe to freeze some for quick snacks too. They’re amazing!! Thx
so so glad you liked them!
Thank you for this recipe. This is my new favorite muffin and my 10 year old sons. I made a double batch based on your reaction. I did not realize it was so easy to bake with fresh cranberries. I don’t think I will bake with dried cranberries ever again.
i’m so glad you guys liked them! i LOVE fresh cranberries! i always stock up when they go on sale after thanksgiving
Can you use blue berries or will it taste weird with the sweet potato
i’d say go for it! the sweet potato taste isn’t super overwhelming…it just helps make them sweet!
I made these as written and thought they were great so made another batch but this time added hefty dose of cinnamon and a chopped apple instead of cranberries. Delicious. Next will be raspberries.
ooooh love the apple idea!! awesome!
I love cottage cheese, especially the fat free variety. I especially like to use in in recipes. I never would have thought of using sweet potatoes though, I’m going to have to look into that. I love cranberries, so it’s a definite will try! I don’t use white flour though…lol
you could try a different kind of flour!
I’m a cottage cheese lover as it is, and these sound yummy! As for baking with cottage cheese, I’ve never used it in muffins, but my mom used it for a substitute for ricotta cheese in recipes for as long as I can remember. Cheaper, adds good flavor, and I run mine through the Ninja to de-curd it (so the kids and hubby will eat it).
yeah i put mine in the food processor sometimes too! the chunks kinda gross me out