Chocolate Strawberry Cottage Cheese Clusters (Sugar-Free)

May 15, 2024

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Published: May 15, 2024 by Cathy Chenard · This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

You’ll love these chocolate strawberry cottage cheese clusters since they’re a yummy frozen treat that’s sugar-free, creamy and refreshing!

Chocolate strawberry cottage cheese clusters on a plate and one cut in half showing filling. Bowl of strawberries nearby.

These tasty chocolate strawberry cottage cheese clusters are similar to the viral yogurt clusters, but are made with cottage cheese and sugar-free chocolate chips.

The clusters have a crunchy chocolate outer shell, while the center filling is cool and creamy with small bits of strawberries.

Although the clusters require two quick rounds in the freezer to set, they’re simple to prepare and are made with just five ingredients including sugar-free chocolate chips, full-fat cottage cheese, fresh strawberries, sugar-free sweetener and coconut oil.

They’re a perfect frozen treat for warm spring or summer days!

Ingredients & Substitutions

Cottage cheese cluster ingredients in bowls and labeled.

Full-fat (4%), small-curd cottage cheese: Cottage cheese is the key ingredient for making creamy, protein-rich clusters. We use full-fat (4% milk fat) cottage cheese to create a creamier, less icy texture.

Fresh, organic strawberries: It’s important to buy organic strawberries since they’re part of the “dirty dozen,” which are some of the most pesticide-contaminated foods. You could also swap strawberries with organic raspberries or blueberries.

Sugar-free Sweetener: We recommend using allulose since it’s a sugar-free sweetener that doesn’t come with any aftertaste and is less likely to form ice crystals (which can happen with erythritol).

Lily’s sugar-free semi-sweet baking chips: We use Lily’s sugar-free semi-sweet chocolate baking chips, but you could also consider Lily’s sugar-free dark chocolate or milk chocolate baking chips.

Coconut Oil: Coconut oil helps thins the chocolate so you can easily dip the clusters without the chocolate being too thick.

Step-by-Step Processes

STEP 1: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a food processor, pulse cottage cheese and sweetener until smooth.

STEP 2: Add strawberries and briefly pulse until just combined and there are still chunky bits of strawberries for texture.

Whipped cottage cheese in a food procoessor.

Strawberries combined with whipped cottage cheese in a processor.

STEP 3: Use a spoon to get a large scoop of cottage mixture and spoon onto parchment paper into somewhat round clumps. Be sure to leave a little space between each. You’ll want to create 10 or 11 round clusters.

STEP 4: Place baking sheet with the clusters in the freezer and let freeze for 2 hours until frozen. After clusters have frozen, melt sugar-free chips and coconut oil in a wide, medium-size, microwave-safe bowl in 30-second intervals until you can stir to a smooth consistency.

Cluster spooned onto a parchment paper lined pan

Melted sugar-free chocolate and coconut oil in a bowl.

STEP 5: Remove clusters from freezer. Dip and coat each cluster in melted chocolate with a fork, spoon or fingers. You can even spoon chocolate over both sides. The chocolate coating will not be perfect and can have holes.

STEP 6: Place clusters back on parchment paper-lined pan and return to freezer for another 10 to 15 minutes until hardened. Remove and enjoy!

Dipping cluster in chocolate and spooning over chocolate

Finished clusters on a plate with strawberries nearby.

Expert Tips

Use full-fat (4% milk fat) cottage cheese to create a creamier, less icy filling.
Use fresh strawberries (or even raspberries or blueberries) for best results.
We recommend using allulose as a sugar-free sweetener. While you can use another sugar-free sweetener, we do not recommend erythritol since it can make the filling icy.
Use a food processor to whip cottage cheese to a smooth consistency.
Briefly pulse chopped strawberries with whipped cottage cheese until just combined and there are still chunks of strawberries for texture.
Be sure to add coconut oil to melted chocolate for easier dipping.
The most difficult part is coating the clusters in chocolate. The chocolate coating will not be perfect and it’s okay to have some holes in the coating. You can dip clusters with a fork, spoon or fingers. You can even spoon chocolate over both sides of clusters. While you can simply drizzle chocolate over the top, we recommend coating as much as possible for better results and taste.
Feel free to get creative! You can add chopped nuts, coconut flakes, peanut butter and various berries to the filling. You can even add a scoop of vanilla protein powder to the filling to make the clusters high in protein.

How to Store

You can store the clusters in an airtight container in the freezer for a few months. Remove from freezer a few minutes before serving to let them slightly thaw.

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If you try this recipe, we would love to hear your feedback! Leave a comment, rate it, and tag @lowcarbsimplified on your photo of this recipe on Instagram or Facebook. We hope you enjoy this recipe as much as we do!

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