This simple cottage cheese bread recipe makes the most delicious and satisfying high protein bread. It's moist and fluffy on the inside and golden crisp on the outside with a rich and slightly tangy flavor. Trust me, this will be your new go-to sandwich bread recipe - especially if you're trying to eat a high protein diet!
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My Take On Cottage Cheese Bread
If you didn't already know, cottage cheese can be used to make the most delicious, pillowy, soft white bread that you'll want to eat with everything!
You may have seen the viral cottage cheese flatbread recipe from TikTok, which turns cottage cheese into flatbread. Well, this recipe takes it a step further and turns cottage cheese into an incredible fluffy loaf of bread!
This cottage cheese bread is like a cross between soft milk bread and flavorful sourdough - it's got a hint of tanginess to it and a crunchy golden crust.
Gah, it's good. It's seriously addictive and elevates any sandwich or toast you make with it.
Plus, this bread is loaded with 11 grams of high-quality protein per slice - thanks to the cottage cheese - to give you a healthier bread that's a lot more satiating.
Joe Tip (like "pro tip," but better): I make this recipe with full fat cottage cheese but you can also use low fat cottage cheese or fat free cottage cheese. Whichever you choose, I recommend opting for small curd instead of large curd as it incorporates more smoothly into the dough.
Ingredients
One of the best things about this recipe is that it's made with just a handful of kitchen staples.
In fact, I'm willing to bet you have most - if not all - of them on hand already!
Anyway, here's everything you need to make this cottage cheese bread recipe:
- 1 ½ teaspoon active dry yeast
- 1 teaspoon honey
- ⅓ cup whole milk, lukewarm
- 1 cup egg whites
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- 4 ⅔ cups bread flour
- 1 ½ teaspoon salt
Super simple stuff, right?!
By the way, if you want to make a similarly high protein bread but gluten free, I highly recommend this protein bread recipe made with almond flour. It uses some of the same ingredients, too!
Oh, also, if you have some leftover cottage cheese after making this recipe, you can put it to good use by making these cottage cheese pancakes with it.
How to Make Cottage Cheese Bread
If you've never made bread before, don't be intimidated. This cottage cheese bread recipe breaks it down to the simplest - easy to follow - steps that'll have you baking like a pro in no time!
Once you've made your yeast, you just need to build and proof the dough, shape it into a loaf, then bake it.
All in all, a homemade loaf takes about 25 minutes of actual work. However, proofing and baking the dough will take about 2 hours total, so you'll want to try this recipe when you know you have the time.
Of course, the results are absolutely worth it!
Step One: Bloom the Yeast
Take the bowl of your stand mixer - or any large mixing bowl if you plan to knead your bread by hand - and add the yeast, honey, and whole milk.
Whisk to combine, then set the mixture aside for 10 minutes or until the yeast blooms. You'll know it's ready when a creamy foam has started to form.
Step Two: Form the Dough
Blend the cottage cheese and egg whites in a blender or food processor until smooth. Then add the cottage cheese mixture to your bloomed yeast and whisk until well combined.
Follow that up with the flour and salt, mixing everything with a fork so you get a crumbly-ish dough. It should be a little lumpy, but make sure there are no dry spots of unincorporated flour.
Then, attach the bowl to the stand mixer and knead it on medium speed for 5-6 minutes.
If you're kneading it by hand, prep a clean flat surface with flour and knead for 6-8 minutes or until the dough is smooth.
Step Three: Let it Proof
Oil your hands with a bit of olive oil and form the dough into a smooth, round ball. Place it in the mixing bowl and cover it with plastic wrap or a wet towel.
Store the dough ball in a warm place to proof for 1 hour. If you don't have a spot in your kitchen that is warm enough, you can also store it in a turned-off oven with a baking dish full of hot water (around 150°F or 65°C) on the bottom rack.
Step Four: Second Proof in the Loaf Pan
In the meantime, line a 10x4 inch loaf pan with parchment paper.
Once the dough has doubled in size, punch it down to deflate it, then transfer the dough to a floured surface and roll it out into a large rectangle. You'll then roll the rectangle into a log, tucking the ends inwards.
Transfer the dough log to the lined loaf pan and let it proof for another 20-25 minutes until it has visibly risen. In the meantime, preheat your oven to 400°F (204°C).
Step Five: Bake
When the dough is done proofing, use a sharp knife to slice a long vertical slit in the center. Bake the loaf for 40-45 minutes. As soon as the top has turned crusty and brown, cover it with aluminum foil.
You'll know your cottage cheese bread is ready and perfectly baked when it makes a hollow sound when tapping on the crust. Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool completely.
Then you're ready to slice your bread into 10 to 12 slices, and enjoy!
How to Store This Cottage Cheese Bread
This recipe makes 10-12 slices, so there'll be plenty to serve to your family throughout the week. However, if you're hoping to knock a few loaves out, you can definitely double this recipe to make an additional loaf to store.
With that said, there are a few ways you can store your cottage cheese bread. Because this recipe contains dairy, the best way to store it is in the fridge. Just transfer your sliced bread to an airtight container and refrigerate it for 2-3 days.
Alternatively, you can also freeze your bread. If your loaf is already sliced, place a piece of parchment paper between each slice to make it easier to separate. Then, keep everything in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.
How To Reheat The Cottage Cheese Bread
I recommend reheating this recipe in the oven, wrapping each slice in foil before placing it in the oven. If you're reheating individual slices, bake 'em for 5-10 minutes at 350°F (175°C).
With that said, you'll want to reheat it for 15 minutes if you are heating back up the entire loaf.
Final Thoughts
Well, that's how you make the best cottage cheese bread recipe!
This simple and easy high protein bread recipe has become a favorite at our house. It's as easy to make as any bread recipe out there, and it comes out so soft on the inside and so perfectly chewy on the outside.
I also love that it's higher in protein than regular bread, so anything you make with it is instantly more filling and nutritious.
Anyway, I hope you like this cottage cheese bread recipe as much as my family and I do!
As always, if you try it, don't forget to leave a comment below and let me know how it went.
More Cottage Cheese Recipes
There are tons more fantastic ways you can incorporate cottage cheese into your meals.
Here are some of my favorite recipes to do that with:
- High protein mac and cheese
- Healthy low calorie queso dip
- Protein pancakes
- High protein egg salad
- Cottage cheese ice cream
- Cottage cheese brownies
- Cottage cheese mashed potatoes
- Cottage cheese taco bowls
- Cottage cheese stuffed shells
You can also find more awesome recipes on my Instagram, TikTok, and Youtube channel! I post new ones on them all the time.
High Protein Cottage Cheese Bread Recipe
This simple cottage cheese bread recipe makes the most delicious and satisfying high protein bread. It's moist and fluffy on the inside and golden crisp on the outside with a rich and slightly tangy flavor. Trust me, this will be your new go-to sandwich bread recipe - especially if you're trying to eat a high protein diet!
Ingredients
- 1 ½ teaspoon active dry yeast
- 1 teaspoon honey
- ⅓ cup whole milk, lukewarm
- 1 cup eggwhites
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- 4 ⅔ cups bread flour
- 1 ½ teaspoon salt
Instructions
1. Add the yeast, honey, and whole milk to the bowl of your stand mixer ( or a large bowl if kneading by hand). Whisk to combine and set aside for 10 minutes until the yeast blooms.
2. Add the cottage cheese and egg whites to a blender and blend until smooth. Add it to the bowl with the yeast mixture and whisk to combine.
3. Add the flour and salt and mix using a fork until you get a shaggy dough. Transfer to your stand mixer and knead on medium spead for 5-6 minutes. If not using a stand mixer, dust some flour on a clean surface and knead with your hands until smooth, for 6-8 minutes.
4. Oil your hands with a little bit of olive oil then form the dough into a smooth ball. Return to the bowl and cover with plastic wrap or a wet towel. Proof in a warm place for 1 hour, until doubled in size.
5. Line a 10x4 inch loaf pan with parchment paper and set aside. After the dough has doubled in size, punch it down to deflate it. Roll it out into a large rectangle then roll into a log. Tuck the ends inwards so that the edges are smooth.
6. Carefully transfer the log to the loaf pan and proof it for 20-25 minutes until visibly risen. In the meantime, preheat your oven to 400F.
7. After proofing, make a slit in the center using a sharp knife or blade. Bake in the oven for 40-45 minutes. If the top starts browning quickly, cover it with aluminum foil as soon as it turns crusty and brown.
8. Once done baking, the bread will sound hollow when tapping on the crust. Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely. Slice using a bread knife and serve!
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 10 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 274Total Fat: 2gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 5mgSodium: 473mgCarbohydrates: 49gFiber: 2gSugar: 2gProtein: 13g
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