Description
Creamy cottage cheese elevates classic Cottage Cheese Banana Bread with unexpected moisture and protein-packed goodness. Rich banana flavor and tender crumb make this quick bread a perfect companion for morning coffee or afternoon snacking.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 ripe bananas, mashed
- 3 large eggs
- 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) cottage cheese (full-fat or low-fat)
- 2 1/2 cups (280 grams) almond flour
Sweeteners and Flavorings:
- 3 tablespoons maple syrup
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Spices and Leavening:
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
Optional Add-ins:
- 1/2 cup (60 grams) chopped walnuts
- 1/2 cup (85 grams) chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup (75 grams) blueberries
Instructions
- Prepare the oven environment by heating to 350°F (175°C) and preparing a loaf pan with parchment paper and light grease.
- Create a smooth wet ingredient base by thoroughly blending mashed bananas, eggs, cottage cheese, maple syrup, and vanilla extract in a large mixing bowl.
- Integrate dry components by gently incorporating almond flour, baking soda, and cinnamon into the wet mixture, stirring until a uniform batter forms without overmixing.
- Enhance the bread’s texture and flavor by optional addition of chopped walnuts, chocolate chips, or blueberries, carefully folding them into the batter.
- Transfer the complete batter into the prepared loaf pan, ensuring an even distribution across the surface.
- Position the pan in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 50 minutes, monitoring the surface color and covering with aluminum foil if browning occurs too rapidly.
- Verify doneness by inserting a toothpick into the bread’s center – a clean removal indicates complete baking.
- Allow the bread to rest within the pan for 10 minutes, then carefully transfer to a wire cooling rack to achieve complete temperature reduction before slicing and serving.
Notes
- Swap cottage cheese for Greek yogurt to adjust the moisture and protein content, creating a tangy variation with similar texture.
- Toast nuts before adding to enhance their nutty flavor and provide a delightful crunch throughout the bread.
- Reduce maple syrup or replace with sugar-free alternatives like stevia for a lower-carb, diabetic-friendly version that maintains sweetness.
- Freeze overripe bananas in advance to always have the perfect ripeness for banana bread, ensuring maximum natural sweetness and smooth consistency.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes (including roasting squash)
- Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 192
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 160 mg
- Fat: 11 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 8 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg