Soft Baked Chocolate Chunk Cottage Cheese Cookies (with almond flour)

Every Friday I make my family cookies for our movie night. Last Friday I huddled up in the kitchen to mix up a batch when I realized we were out of butter. After going back and forth debating whether I should go out and get butter, I decided to improvise.

I had a container of cottage cheese and decided to sub it in for butter to give me the soft-baked texture and moisture I wanted and needed for the batter.

The result? My kids said they were the best cookies yet. Of course I didn’t mention the cottage cheese because I didn’t want to freak them out.

I know cottage cheese isn’t the most traditional cookie ingredient, but it totally works! It makes for an irresistible soft-baked cookie with gooey middles.

Need more cookies in your life? These Almond Butter Chia Cookies and Soft & Chewy Gluten Free Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies are a must!!

Why these Cottage Cheese Cookies are Amazing

Irresistibly soft-baked. The cottage cheese makes these cookies so soft and tender.

Gooey middles. The moisture and tenderness from the cottage cheese keeps the middles nice and gooey.

Why Use Cottage Cheese in Cookies?

Moisture and Texture. Cottage cheese adds moisture and tenderness to baked goods, similar to butter.

Ingredients for Cottage Cheese Cookies

Cottage Cheese

Cottage cheese adds moisture and richness to the cookies, resulting in a soft and tender texture. Its creamy consistency helps bind the ingredients together while keeping the cookies moist. I love using 4% whole milk cottage cheese because it’s ultra rich and creamy compared to a lower fat cottage cheese.

Coconut Sugar

Coconut sugar provides sweetness to the cookies. Coconut sugar adds a subtle caramel flavor to the cookies, enhancing their overall taste.

Egg

Eggs act as a binding agent, helping to hold the ingredients together and providing structure to the cookies. They also contribute to the cookies’ texture and help them rise during baking.

Vanilla Extract

Vanilla extract adds a warm to the cookies, enhancing their overall taste. It complements the sweetness of the coconut sugar and adds depth to the flavor profile.

Blanched Almond Flour

Blanched almond flour adds a rich, nutty flavor to the cookies and provides a heartier texture.

Baking Soda

Baking soda helps the cookies rise during baking, resulting in a light and airy texture.

Salt

Salt enhances the flavor of the cookies, balancing the sweetness and bringing out the other subtle flavors of the cookies.

Chocolate Chunks

Chocolate chunks add decadence and richness to the cookies, providing pockets of melty chocolatey in every bite.

How to Make Cottage Cheese Cookies

Combine Wet Ingredients

In a food processor or using a handheld electric mixer, combine the cottage cheese, coconut sugar, egg, and vanilla extract. Blend the ingredients thoroughly until the cottage cheese curds are broken down and the mixture is smooth and creamy.

Incorporate Dry Ingredients

Add the almond flour, baking soda, and salt to the food processor with the wet ingredients. Blend the mixture until all the dry ingredients are fully incorporated and a cohesive cookie dough forms.

Add Chocolate Chunks

Once the dough is formed, add the chocolate chunks to the food processor. Reserve some chocolate chunks to press into the tops of the cookie dough balls later. Pulse the food processor a few times to evenly distribute the chocolate throughout the dough, only about 5 seconds total.

Prepare Baking Sheet

Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent the cookies from sticking (and easier cleanup).

Form Cookie Dough Balls

Use a large cookie scooper or spoon to portion out the cookie dough onto the prepared baking sheet. Aim for six evenly sized cookie dough balls. Press a few reserved chocolate chunks into the tops of each dough ball for extra chocolatey goodness.

Bake the Cookies

Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake the cookies for approximately 12 minutes.

Cool the Cookies

Once baked, remove the baking sheet from the oven and allow the cookies to cool on the pan for about 5 minutes. This helps them set and firm up slightly before transferring them to a cooling rack to cool completely.

Repeat and Enjoy

Repeat the process with the remaining cookie dough until all the cookies have been baked. Once cooled, sprinkle the tops of the cookies with flakey salt if desired for a touch of sweet and salty. Then, indulge in these delicious and freshly baked cottage cheese chocolate chip cookies!

How to Store Leftover Cottage Cheese Cookies

Cool Completely

Before storing, ensure the cookies have cooled completely to room temperature. Placing warm cookies in a container can create condensation, leading to soggy or stale cookies.

Choose an Airtight Container

Select an airtight container or resealable plastic bag large enough to accommodate the cookies without overcrowding.

Layering

If stacking cookies in the container, place a sheet of parchment paper or wax paper between layers to prevent them from sticking together or becoming misshapen.

Store term storage

Room Temperature Storage: For short-term storage, store the container of cookies at room temperature in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight for 2-3 days.

Refrigeration (Optional): For longer storage, place the container of cookies in the refrigerator. Refrigerated cookies can last for up to a week.

Long term storage

Freezing (Long-Term Storage): For longer-term storage, cookies can be frozen. Place the cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and freeze until solid. Once frozen, transfer the cookies to a resealable freezer bag or airtight container, placing sheets of parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking. Frozen cookies can be stored for up to 2-3 months.

Thawing Frozen Cookies: When ready to enjoy frozen cookies, remove them from the freezer and let them thaw at room temperature for about 30 minutes to 1 hour, depending on the size and thickness of the cookies. Alternatively, you can reheat frozen cookies in a preheated oven at 300°F (150°C) for a few minutes until warmed through.

Cottage Cheese Cookies Variations

Double Chocolate Chip Cottage Cheese Cookies

Add a few tablespoons of cocoa powder to the cookie dough for a rich chocolate flavor.

Nutty Chocolate Chip Cottage Cheese Cookies

Stir in 1/2 cup chopped nuts such as pecans, walnuts, or almonds to add crunch and nuttiness to the cookies. Toast the nuts beforehand for enhanced flavor.

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cottage Cheese Cookies

Incorporate 1/2 cup rolled oats into the cookie dough for added texture and heartiness. The oats provide a chewy texture and nutty flavor that complements the chocolate chips perfectly.