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Creamy Cottage Cheese Strawberry Parfait

May 25, 2023 by Gina +

High protein creamy, blended cottage cheese that’s lightly sweetened and nestled in between layers of strawberry jam and crushed graham cracker. It’s an easy dessert that’s healthy too.

This combination of simple ingredients creates a treat that’s perfect for after dinner or as a snack. The combination of creamy cottage cheese, sweet strawberry jam, and crunchy graham cracker can be the ideal way to satisfy a sweet tooth. Not only is this cottage cheese parfait dessert tasty, but it also has the added benefit of protein, which can leave you feeling full and satisfied for hours.

Jump to Recipe

A clear glass cup with a strawberry cheesecake parfait filed inside.  Another serving is to the right

For an extra sweet treat, you can top the cottage cheese parfait with fresh berries and a dollop of whipped cream, or even a sprinkle of cinnamon. Adding these extra layers of flavor will make for a truly delicious, nutritious, and satisfying snack. Even better, you can easily tweak the recipe to fit your mood – swap out the strawberry jam for blueberry, or use shortbread cookies instead of graham crackers, and you have a totally new and unique treat. With just a few simple ingredients you can create a wide variety of sweet and satisfying treats.

A board with two glass cups and strawberry cheesecake parfaits inside.  Decorative strawberries placed around on glass dishes.  Graham cracker crumbs also placed around.

For this recipe, and all my cottage cheese recipes, I love using Good Culture cottage cheese. It’s thick, creamy, and has the best flavor. If you choose to use another one, aim to pick one that is small curd, and not runny. That will help create the thickest and fluffiest filling. For the graham crackers, I like these or these because they don’t have a ton of sugar, but use what you like. For the strawberry jam, I made one with strawberries, a little maple syrup, lemon, and chia seeds. Of course, you can use a jarred one, but those often have a lot more sugar. All in all, this can be super simple, or with a few extra steps, a super healthy treat.

A board with two glass cups and strawberry cheesecake parfaits inside.  Decorative strawberries placed around on glass dishes.  Graham cracker crumbs also placed around.

INGREDIENTS FOR THE PARFAIT


  • Graham crackers
  • Cottage cheese
  • Maple syrup or honey
  • Strawberry jam (or strawberries, lemon, and chia seed for homemade jam)
  • Lemon
  • Lemon zest

HOW TO MAKE COTTAGE CHEESE PARFAITS


  • If you want to make the strawberry jam, start by cooking the strawberries in a small pan on medium heat. Cook until they start to break down.
  • Stir in the chia seed, maple syrup, and a little lemon with a pinch of salt. Turn off the heat and allow the chia seeds to thicken the jam. Once cooled, store in fridge before serving.
  • For the cottage cheese, place all the ingredients, the cottage cheese, maple syrup, lemon, and lemon zest in a food processor and blend until thick and creamy. Don’t over blend. Store in the fridge until ready to serve.
  • To serve, take 5-6 graham cracker sheets and place them in a plastic bag. Gently tap with something heavy to break them into crumbles.
  • Take 4 small dishes, layer in graham crackers, then the cottage cheese, jam, more cottage cheese, then top with some more graham crackers. Serve cooled. You can even add some whipped cream and fresh berries if you want.

TIPS AND COMMON QUESTIONS FOR PARFAITS


  • Do I have to include the cottage cheese? This isn’t totally necessary, but it is a great protein addition.
  • Keep an eye on the pasta towards the end. You do not want to overcook it.
  • Vegetarian options? I would suggest using a plant-based meat substitute or skipping the meat altogether. Mushrooms would be a nice addition too.
  • Can I sneak in some more vegetables? Absolutely, at the end, stirring through some spinach is a good way to get some greens. Give it a chop and the hot pasta will wilt the greens.
A clear glass cup sits on a wood board with a strawberry cheesecake parfait filed inside.  Another serving is to the right

MORE RECIPES LIKE THIS


  • Protein Peanut Butter Cups
  • Apple Crumb Bars
  • Cottage Cheese Pancakes

Cottage Cheese Strawberry Parfait

Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Cool Time 1 hour hr
Total Time 1 hour hr 10 minutes mins
Servings: 4 parfaits
Course: Breakfast, Dessert
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

Cheese layer
  • 1 16oz container cottage cheese small curd, not runny
  • juice from half a lemon & zest
  • 3-4 tbsp maple syrup
Graham Cracker Layer
  • 5-6 graham cracker sheets
Strawberry Jam Layer
  • 2 cups stawberries
  • 1 tbsp maple syrup
  • juice from 1/2 lemon
  • 1 tbsp chia seed
  • pinch of salt

Method
 

  1. For the strawberry layer, add the strawberries to a small pot over medium heat.  Simmer with maple syrup until the strawberries break down, about 5 minutes.  Add the chia seed and lemon juice.  Mash then turn off the heat until it thickens.
  2. For the cheese layer, blend everything in a food processor, until thick and smooth.
  3. Place the jam and cheese layer separately in the fridge to cool. This is best served chilled
  4. To assemble, grab 4 small jarsLayer a spoonful of graham crackers, then some of the cheese filling, some strawberry, and more of the cheese filling, then top with more graham crackers.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
A clear glass cup with a strawberry cheesecake parfait filed inside.  Another serving is to the right

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Filed Under: Breakfast, Desserts, Recipes Tagged With: cottage cheese, dessert, healthy dessert, high protein, parfait, refined sugar free, strawberry

Trackbacks

  1. Chicken Flautas - Gina Gibson says:
    June 7, 2023 at 9:21 am

    […] High Protein Strawberry Parfaits […]

  2. Our Best Cottage Cheese Desserts – thehappy-chef.com says:
    January 29, 2025 at 4:18 am

    […] 8. Strawberry Cottage Cheese Parfait […]

High Protein Jalapeño Cheddar Bagels If you’ve be High Protein Jalapeño Cheddar Bagels

If you’ve been looking for an easy homemade bagel recipe, these baked jalapeño cheddar bagels are so good. They have a slightly crisp outside, soft inside, lots of cheesy flavor, and around 14g protein each.

Made with Greek yogurt, flour, cheddar cheese, and jalapeños, this is a simple high protein breakfast, meal prep idea, or snack recipe.

125g all-purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
180g plain Greek yogurt
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 jalapeños, finely diced and seeds removed
1 egg for egg wash
Extra cheddar + jalapeños for topping

How to:
Mix flour, baking powder, and salt. Stir in Greek yogurt until a dough forms. Fold in cheddar and jalapeños. Knead lightly on a lightly floured surface until smooth. Add more flour slowly if the dough is too sticky. Careful not to add too much. Divide into 4 pieces and shape into bagels. Brush with egg wash and top with extra cheese and jalapeños. Bake at 400°F for 20–25 minutes until golden.

Save this easy bagel recipe for later
If you’re looking for an easy breakfast with eggs, If you’re looking for an easy breakfast with eggs, this crispy feta fried egg recipe is so good.

I sprinkle feta cheese directly into a hot pan, add a little chili crisp, crack two eggs in the center, then cover until cooked. The feta gets golden and crispy around the edges and the eggs stay soft in the middle.

Simple, flavorful, high in protein, and ready in minutes.

2 ish tbsp feta cheese
2 eggs
Chili crisp
Salt

Heat a nonstick pan over medium heat. I add a little butter. Then sprinkle feta into the pan in a circle.
Drizzle with a little chili crisp
Crack two eggs into the center.
Cover and cook until eggs are done to your liking.

Perfect with toast,  tortilla or on its own.

Save this easy breakfast recipe and follow for more simple meals.
If you’ve got 3 ripe bananas, skip the banana brea If you’ve got 3 ripe bananas, skip the banana bread and make this instead 🍌

This Banana Snack Cake is soft, moist, loaded with banana flavor, filled with mini chocolate chips, and topped with the most delicious buttery crumble.

Perfect for after-school snacks, coffee, or dessert. 

Save this one for the next time your bananas get too ripe.

Recipe is linked in my profile or comment BANANA and I’ll send you the recipe.
Follow along for easy, high-protein meals 🤍 Recipe Follow along for easy, high-protein meals 🤍
Recipe is below 

This is my current high-protein obsession.

It’s my healthier take on egg salad and I might like it even more than the classic version.

Creamy yolks mashed with cottage cheese, chopped egg whites, lots of salt and pepper, then piled onto toasted sourdough with green onion and dill.

2 hard boiled eggs
4 tbsp cottage cheese, divided
Salt + pepper
Toasted sourdough
Green onion
Fresh dill

Optional 
Pickled jalapeños
Sriracha 
Extra herbs
Everything seasoning

Separate yolks from whites
Mash yolks with 2 tbsp cottage cheese
Chop whites and mix with remaining 2 tbsp cottage cheese
Combine everything and season well
Add to toasted sourdough
Top with green onion, dill, and anything extra you love

And don’t forget to follow for more easy recipes
An easy pasta dinner in under 30 minutes. I’m br An easy pasta dinner in under 30 minutes. 

I’m bringing this one back because it deserves another moment.
This is seriously one of the best pastas I’ve made lately.

The sauce is creamy, garlicky, and is so easy to make at home.

If you’re stuck making the same meals on repeat, make this your next pasta night.

RECIPE is linked in my bio (if you don’t want to comment 🙃) or comment PASTA and I’ll send it to you.
Turned a bag of frozen fries into one of the easie Turned a bag of frozen fries into one of the easiest high-protein dinners 🍔🍟

Crispy crinkle fries, double lean beef, melty cheddar, all the burger toppings, and a creamy burger sauce.

Save this one for a busy night

🍔 High-Protein Loaded Burger Sheet Pan Fries

1 bag crinkle cut frozen fries 
2 lbs very lean ground beef
2 tsp garlic powder
2 tsp onion powder
1 tsp smoked paprika
Salt + pepper
2–3 tbsp ketchup
2 tsp yellow mustard
1–2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
6–8 slices cheddar cheese

Toppings
Shredded lettuce
Diced tomatoes
Pickles

Burger Sauce
1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
2 tbsp mayo
2 tbsp ketchup
2 tsp mustard
1–2 tbsp pickle juice
Pinch garlic powder

Bake fries according to package directions until extra crispy.
Brown ground beef in a skillet. Add garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, pepper, ketchup, mustard, and Worcestershire. Cook until flavorful and slightly saucy.
Spread fries on a sheet pan and top evenly with beef.
Add cheddar slices over the top.
Return to oven for 3–5 minutes until melted.
Top with lettuce, tomato, onion, and pickles.
Mix burger sauce ingredients and drizzle over everything. Serve immediately. 

* if planning for leftovers don’t add toppings immediately.
** I doubled the ground beef and the seasoning for extra protein. If you only use 1 pound of ground beef cut everything else in half.
High Protein Jalapeño Cheddar Bagels If you’ve be High Protein Jalapeño Cheddar Bagels

If you’ve been looking for an easy homemade bagel recipe, these baked jalapeño cheddar bagels are so good. They have a slightly crisp outside, soft inside, lots of cheesy flavor, and around 14g protein each.

Made with Greek yogurt, flour, cheddar cheese, and jalapeños, this is a simple high protein breakfast, meal prep idea, or snack recipe.

125g all-purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
180g plain Greek yogurt
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 jalapeños, finely diced and seeds removed
1 egg for egg wash
Extra cheddar + jalapeños for topping

How to:
Mix flour, baking powder, and salt. Stir in Greek yogurt until a dough forms. Fold in cheddar and jalapeños. Knead lightly on a lightly floured surface until smooth. Add more flour slowly if the dough is too sticky. Careful not to add too much. Divide into 4 pieces and shape into bagels. Brush with egg wash and top with extra cheese and jalapeños. Bake at 400°F for 20–25 minutes until golden.

Save this easy bagel recipe for later
If you’re looking for an easy breakfast with eggs, If you’re looking for an easy breakfast with eggs, this crispy feta fried egg recipe is so good.

I sprinkle feta cheese directly into a hot pan, add a little chili crisp, crack two eggs in the center, then cover until cooked. The feta gets golden and crispy around the edges and the eggs stay soft in the middle.

Simple, flavorful, high in protein, and ready in minutes.

2 ish tbsp feta cheese
2 eggs
Chili crisp
Salt

Heat a nonstick pan over medium heat. I add a little butter. Then sprinkle feta into the pan in a circle.
Drizzle with a little chili crisp
Crack two eggs into the center.
Cover and cook until eggs are done to your liking.

Perfect with toast,  tortilla or on its own.

Save this easy breakfast recipe and follow for more simple meals.
If you’ve got 3 ripe bananas, skip the banana brea If you’ve got 3 ripe bananas, skip the banana bread and make this instead 🍌

This Banana Snack Cake is soft, moist, loaded with banana flavor, filled with mini chocolate chips, and topped with the most delicious buttery crumble.

Perfect for after-school snacks, coffee, or dessert. 

Save this one for the next time your bananas get too ripe.

Recipe is linked in my profile or comment BANANA and I’ll send you the recipe.
Follow along for easy, high-protein meals 🤍 Recipe Follow along for easy, high-protein meals 🤍
Recipe is below 

This is my current high-protein obsession.

It’s my healthier take on egg salad and I might like it even more than the classic version.

Creamy yolks mashed with cottage cheese, chopped egg whites, lots of salt and pepper, then piled onto toasted sourdough with green onion and dill.

2 hard boiled eggs
4 tbsp cottage cheese, divided
Salt + pepper
Toasted sourdough
Green onion
Fresh dill

Optional 
Pickled jalapeños
Sriracha 
Extra herbs
Everything seasoning

Separate yolks from whites
Mash yolks with 2 tbsp cottage cheese
Chop whites and mix with remaining 2 tbsp cottage cheese
Combine everything and season well
Add to toasted sourdough
Top with green onion, dill, and anything extra you love

And don’t forget to follow for more easy recipes
An easy pasta dinner in under 30 minutes. I’m br An easy pasta dinner in under 30 minutes. 

I’m bringing this one back because it deserves another moment.
This is seriously one of the best pastas I’ve made lately.

The sauce is creamy, garlicky, and is so easy to make at home.

If you’re stuck making the same meals on repeat, make this your next pasta night.

RECIPE is linked in my bio (if you don’t want to comment 🙃) or comment PASTA and I’ll send it to you.
Turned a bag of frozen fries into one of the easie Turned a bag of frozen fries into one of the easiest high-protein dinners 🍔🍟

Crispy crinkle fries, double lean beef, melty cheddar, all the burger toppings, and a creamy burger sauce.

Save this one for a busy night

🍔 High-Protein Loaded Burger Sheet Pan Fries

1 bag crinkle cut frozen fries 
2 lbs very lean ground beef
2 tsp garlic powder
2 tsp onion powder
1 tsp smoked paprika
Salt + pepper
2–3 tbsp ketchup
2 tsp yellow mustard
1–2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
6–8 slices cheddar cheese

Toppings
Shredded lettuce
Diced tomatoes
Pickles

Burger Sauce
1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
2 tbsp mayo
2 tbsp ketchup
2 tsp mustard
1–2 tbsp pickle juice
Pinch garlic powder

Bake fries according to package directions until extra crispy.
Brown ground beef in a skillet. Add garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, pepper, ketchup, mustard, and Worcestershire. Cook until flavorful and slightly saucy.
Spread fries on a sheet pan and top evenly with beef.
Add cheddar slices over the top.
Return to oven for 3–5 minutes until melted.
Top with lettuce, tomato, onion, and pickles.
Mix burger sauce ingredients and drizzle over everything. Serve immediately. 

* if planning for leftovers don’t add toppings immediately.
** I doubled the ground beef and the seasoning for extra protein. If you only use 1 pound of ground beef cut everything else in half.
High Protein Jalapeño Cheddar Bagels If you’ve be High Protein Jalapeño Cheddar Bagels

If you’ve been looking for an easy homemade bagel recipe, these baked jalapeño cheddar bagels are so good. They have a slightly crisp outside, soft inside, lots of cheesy flavor, and around 14g protein each.

Made with Greek yogurt, flour, cheddar cheese, and jalapeños, this is a simple high protein breakfast, meal prep idea, or snack recipe.

125g all-purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
180g plain Greek yogurt
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 jalapeños, finely diced and seeds removed
1 egg for egg wash
Extra cheddar + jalapeños for topping

How to:
Mix flour, baking powder, and salt. Stir in Greek yogurt until a dough forms. Fold in cheddar and jalapeños. Knead lightly on a lightly floured surface until smooth. Add more flour slowly if the dough is too sticky. Careful not to add too much. Divide into 4 pieces and shape into bagels. Brush with egg wash and top with extra cheese and jalapeños. Bake at 400°F for 20–25 minutes until golden.

Save this easy bagel recipe for later
If you’re looking for an easy breakfast with eggs, If you’re looking for an easy breakfast with eggs, this crispy feta fried egg recipe is so good.

I sprinkle feta cheese directly into a hot pan, add a little chili crisp, crack two eggs in the center, then cover until cooked. The feta gets golden and crispy around the edges and the eggs stay soft in the middle.

Simple, flavorful, high in protein, and ready in minutes.

2 ish tbsp feta cheese
2 eggs
Chili crisp
Salt

Heat a nonstick pan over medium heat. I add a little butter. Then sprinkle feta into the pan in a circle.
Drizzle with a little chili crisp
Crack two eggs into the center.
Cover and cook until eggs are done to your liking.

Perfect with toast,  tortilla or on its own.

Save this easy breakfast recipe and follow for more simple meals.
If you’ve got 3 ripe bananas, skip the banana brea If you’ve got 3 ripe bananas, skip the banana bread and make this instead 🍌

This Banana Snack Cake is soft, moist, loaded with banana flavor, filled with mini chocolate chips, and topped with the most delicious buttery crumble.

Perfect for after-school snacks, coffee, or dessert. 

Save this one for the next time your bananas get too ripe.

Recipe is linked in my profile or comment BANANA and I’ll send you the recipe.
Follow along for easy, high-protein meals 🤍 Recipe Follow along for easy, high-protein meals 🤍
Recipe is below 

This is my current high-protein obsession.

It’s my healthier take on egg salad and I might like it even more than the classic version.

Creamy yolks mashed with cottage cheese, chopped egg whites, lots of salt and pepper, then piled onto toasted sourdough with green onion and dill.

2 hard boiled eggs
4 tbsp cottage cheese, divided
Salt + pepper
Toasted sourdough
Green onion
Fresh dill

Optional 
Pickled jalapeños
Sriracha 
Extra herbs
Everything seasoning

Separate yolks from whites
Mash yolks with 2 tbsp cottage cheese
Chop whites and mix with remaining 2 tbsp cottage cheese
Combine everything and season well
Add to toasted sourdough
Top with green onion, dill, and anything extra you love

And don’t forget to follow for more easy recipes
An easy pasta dinner in under 30 minutes. I’m br An easy pasta dinner in under 30 minutes. 

I’m bringing this one back because it deserves another moment.
This is seriously one of the best pastas I’ve made lately.

The sauce is creamy, garlicky, and is so easy to make at home.

If you’re stuck making the same meals on repeat, make this your next pasta night.

RECIPE is linked in my bio (if you don’t want to comment 🙃) or comment PASTA and I’ll send it to you.
Turned a bag of frozen fries into one of the easie Turned a bag of frozen fries into one of the easiest high-protein dinners 🍔🍟

Crispy crinkle fries, double lean beef, melty cheddar, all the burger toppings, and a creamy burger sauce.

Save this one for a busy night

🍔 High-Protein Loaded Burger Sheet Pan Fries

1 bag crinkle cut frozen fries 
2 lbs very lean ground beef
2 tsp garlic powder
2 tsp onion powder
1 tsp smoked paprika
Salt + pepper
2–3 tbsp ketchup
2 tsp yellow mustard
1–2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
6–8 slices cheddar cheese

Toppings
Shredded lettuce
Diced tomatoes
Pickles

Burger Sauce
1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
2 tbsp mayo
2 tbsp ketchup
2 tsp mustard
1–2 tbsp pickle juice
Pinch garlic powder

Bake fries according to package directions until extra crispy.
Brown ground beef in a skillet. Add garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, pepper, ketchup, mustard, and Worcestershire. Cook until flavorful and slightly saucy.
Spread fries on a sheet pan and top evenly with beef.
Add cheddar slices over the top.
Return to oven for 3–5 minutes until melted.
Top with lettuce, tomato, onion, and pickles.
Mix burger sauce ingredients and drizzle over everything. Serve immediately. 

* if planning for leftovers don’t add toppings immediately.
** I doubled the ground beef and the seasoning for extra protein. If you only use 1 pound of ground beef cut everything else in half.

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