My easy Cottage Cheese Cherry Garcia Ice Cream Recipe is ready in only 2 hours without an ice cream machine! Named after the rock legend, Jerry Garcia, this homemade ice cream is filled with creamy cottage cheese, fresh cherries, chocolate chunks, and naturally sweetened with maple syrup.
ByNicole Bonilla
My easy Cottage Cheese Cherry Garcia Ice Cream Recipe is ready in only 2 hours without an ice cream machine! Named after the rock legend, Jerry Garcia, this homemade ice cream is filled with creamy cottage cheese, fresh cherries, chocolate chunks, and naturally sweetened with maple syrup. If you haven’t tried viral cottage cheese ice cream, this classic flavor combination of cherries and chocolate flakes is the perfect place to start.
It’s the perfect romantic dessert for Valentine’s Day or a sweet treat to enjoy anytime you have a sweet craving. The best part is homemade cherry garcia ice cream has half the sugar of the original recipe and Ben & Jerry’s ice cream.
Why You’ll Love This Healthier Cherry Garcia Homemade Ice Cream Recipe
- You only need a few major ingredients.
- It is super easy to make for an impressive result.
- The flavor-rich ingredients make it taste amazing!
- All the ingredients are easily digestible for a gentle tummy.
Ingredients & Substitutions
Cottage Cheese:Greek yogurt or ricotta cheese can be used as alternatives to cottage cheese for a similar creamy texture. You can also replace up to 1/4 cup of the cottage cheese with heavy cream.
Maple Syrup:Substitute with honey or agave syrup. You can also use a sugar-free alternative for a lower-calorie option. Adjust amount to taste.
Sweet Cherries:You can use any variety of cherries, including tart cherries, fresh cherries, whole cherries, dark cherries, or frozen sweet cherries. You can also replace them with berries like raspberries, strawberries, or blueberries. Adjust the sweetness accordingly based on the chosen fruit by using more or less sweetener.
Vanilla Extract:Almond extract or coconut extract can provide a unique flavor twist. Alternatively, you can use vanilla bean paste or the scraped seeds of a vanilla bean for a more intense vanilla flavor.
Chocolate Chips:Use your favorite chunks of chocolate, including chopped dark chocolate, cocoa nibs, or sugar-free chocolate chips. You can also experiment with different types of chocolate, like white or milk chocolate or vegan dark chocolate, depending on your taste preferences.
How to Make My Cherry Chocolate Chip No-Churn Ice Cream Recipe
Step 1: Prep the Ingredients
If using fresh cherries, wash and pit 1 cup of cherries. If using frozen cherries, allow them to partially thaw. If using chocolate chunks, chop them down into smaller pieces if desired. Set aside.
Step 2: Blend the Ice Cream Mixture
In a blender, Nutribullet, food processor, or immersion blender, combine cottage cheese, maple syrup, vanilla extract, 7-8 whole cherries, and a dash of salt.
Blend the mixture until smooth and creamy.
Step 3: Assemble the Ice Cream
Spread the ice cream mixture into a shallow, freezer-safe dish or bowl.
Add the chopped cherries and chocolate pieces to the top of the cottage cheese mixture and gently stir them into the ice cream with a spatula.
Cover the container with a lid or plastic wrap and place it in the freezer for about 2 hours or until it reaches your desired consistency.
If the ice cream is too firm to scoop, allow it to sit on the counter and thaw for about 10 minutes or until soft.
Homemade Black Cherry Ice Cream with Cottage Cheese Recipe Notes
Cottage Cheese Texture:You can use any variety of cottage cheese. My preference is full-fat cottage cheese. Blending it first will smooth out the curdled texture.
Sweetness Level:Taste the mixture before freezing and adjust the sweetness if needed. You can add a bit more maple syrup or your preferred sweetener to suit your taste.
Freezing Tips:You can stir the ice cream mixture every 30 minutes during the first hour of freezing to prevent ice crystals from forming and to ensure a smoother consistency. Allow the ice cream to thaw on the counter for 10-15 minutes if it is too solid to scoop.
Popsicles:You can pour the soft-serve ice cream mixture into popsicle molds for convenient and portion-controlled servings.
Airtight Container:Store the ice cream in the freezer in an airtight and freezer-safe container to minimize freezer burn.
Avoid Frequent Thawing and Refreezing:Minimize the number of times you thaw and refreeze the ice cream to maintain its quality. Frequent temperature changes can lead to ice crystals and affect the texture.
Softening Before Serving:Allow the ice cream to soften for a few minutes at room temperature before scooping into your ice cream bowl. This ensures a creamier texture.
Can I use a different type of cheese in place of cottage cheese in homemade cottage cheese ice cream?
Yes, you can substitute cottage cheese with Greek yogurt or ricotta for a similar creamy texture and ice cream flavor.
Is there a sugar-free alternative to maple syrup that I can use to make it a sweet treat?
Absolutely! You can use sugar-free syrups or natural sweeteners like stevia or monk fruit to replace maple syrup.
Can I use other fruits instead of cherries in this recipe?
Certainly! Experiment with raspberries, strawberries, blueberries, or a combination of your favorite fruits.
Are there alternative options for chocolate chips?
Yes, you can use chopped dark chocolate, cocoa nibs, or sugar-free chocolate chips based on your preferences.
Do I need to thaw frozen cherries before using them?
If using frozen cherries, it’s recommended to thaw them first to ensure even blending and distribution of flavors.
How can I adjust the sweetness level of the ice cream?
Taste the mixture before freezing and add more maple syrup or your preferred sweetener to achieve the desired sweetness.
Is there a way to make this recipe dairy-free?
Yes, you can use a dairy-free alternative for cottage cheese, such as a non-dairy yogurt or a plant-based cream substitute.
More Healthier Dessert Recipes
Easy Almond Orange Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting GF
Easy Gluten-Free Banana Cake with Chocolate Frosting
Best Blended Cottage Cheese Whipped Cream Dessert Recipe
Healthy Strawberry Compote Recipe with Maple Syrup
Best Cottage Cheese Cherry Garcia Ice Cream Recipe
My easy Cottage Cheese Cherry Garcia Ice Cream Recipe is ready in only 2 hours without an ice cream machine! Named after the rock legend, Jerry Garcia, this homemade ice cream is filled with creamy cottage cheese, fresh cherries, chocolate chunks, and naturally sweetened with maple syrup.
5 from 6 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Servings 6
Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Total Time 10 minutes mins
Ingredients
- 1-1/2 cups cottage cheese
- 1/3 cup maple syrup
- 1 cup sweet cherries (frozen or fresh)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- dash salt
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips
Instructions
If using fresh cherries, wash and pit 1 cup of cherries. If using frozen cherries, allow them to partially thaw. If using chocolate chunks, chop them down into smaller pieces if desired. Set aside.
In a blender, Nutribullet, food processor, or immersion blender, combine cottage cheese, maple syrup, vanilla extract, 7-8 whole cherries, and a dash of salt. Blend the mixture until smooth and creamy.
Spread the ice cream mixture into a shallow, freezer-safe dish or bowl.
Add the chopped cherries and chocolate pieces to the top of the cottage cheese mixture and gently stir them into the ice cream with a spatula.
Cover the container with a lid or plastic wrap and place it in the freezer for about 2 hours or until it reaches your desired consistency.
If the ice cream is too firm to scoop, allow it to sit on the counter and thaw for about 10 minutes or until soft.
Video
Notes
Cottage Cheese Texture:You can use any variety of cottage cheese. My preference is full-fat cottage cheese. Blending it first will smooth out the curdled texture.
Sweetness Level:Taste the mixture before freezing and adjust the sweetness if needed. You can add a bit more maple syrup or your preferred sweetener to suit your taste.
Freezing Tips:You can stir the ice cream mixture every 30 minutes during the first hour of freezing to prevent ice crystals from forming and to ensure a smoother consistency. Allow the ice cream to thaw on the counter for 10-15 minutes if it is too solid to scoop.
Popsicles:You can pour the soft-serve ice cream mixture into popsicle molds for convenient and portion-controlled servings.
Nutrition
Calories: 191kcalCarbohydrates: 16gProtein: 4gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.03gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 3mgSodium: 57mgPotassium: 217mgFiber: 3gSugar: 20gVitamin A: 39IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 56mgIron: 1mg
Keyword cherry, chocolate chip, cottage cheese ice cream, homemade ice cream, no churn
Did you make this recipe?Please let me know in the comments below how it turned out 🙂
Christy
It was super yummy. So fast and simple to make too. I used 4% milk fat cottage cheese. So creamy in blender. Use mini chips so you don’t have to chop the chocolate to save time. I love the fresh cherry flavor, and chunks of chocolate, oh so good.💝Reply
Nicole Bonilla
Thank you, Christy, for the feedback! That’s a great idea to use the mini-chips to save time 🙂
Reply
Jenifer
This ‘ice cream’ is seriously amazing!!! I’m trying to lower my sugar intake and this hits the spot. It’s sweet enough without being too sweet. I haven’t always been a fan of cottage cheese but I don’t mind it when it’s blended. Creative recipe!Reply
Nicole Bonilla
Hi Jenifer, if you’re an ice cream lover this is definitely a great way to enjoy it with less sugar. I’m so glad you like the recipe!!
Reply
Leave a Reply
It was super yummy. So fast and simple to make too. I used 4% milk fat cottage cheese. So creamy in blender. Use mini chips so you don’t have to chop the chocolate to save time. I love the fresh cherry flavor, and chunks of chocolate, oh so good.💝Reply
Thank you, Christy, for the feedback! That’s a great idea to use the mini-chips to save time 🙂
Reply
This ‘ice cream’ is seriously amazing!!! I’m trying to lower my sugar intake and this hits the spot. It’s sweet enough without being too sweet. I haven’t always been a fan of cottage cheese but I don’t mind it when it’s blended. Creative recipe!Reply
Hi Jenifer, if you’re an ice cream lover this is definitely a great way to enjoy it with less sugar. I’m so glad you like the recipe!!
Reply
