This 3-Ingredient Fluffy Cottage Cheese Cake is a soft, light, and simple baked dessert that tastes kind of like a creamy cheesecake but is much easier to make. It uses cottage cheese instead of cream cheese and no flour, butter, or oil — so it’s lighter and higher in protein. The cake gets its fluffiness from the whipped egg whites folded into the batter.
Ingredients
You’ll need just three main ingredients:
- Cottage cheese – 3/4 cup (about 170 g) of high-protein cottage cheese at room temperature. Using a high-protein brand helps keep the texture right and not too wet.
- Eggs – 4 large eggs at room temperature, separated into yolks and whites.
- White chocolate chips – 3/4 cup (about 133 g). These add sweetness and help the cake set.
Tip: Bring cottage cheese and eggs to room temperature before starting so the ingredients blend smoothly and the chocolate doesn’t seize when added.
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Prepare the Oven and Pan
Preheat your oven to about 325°F (163°C). Grease the inside of a 7-inch round cake pan with a little cooking spray and line the bottom with a piece of parchment paper. Do not line the sides — just grease them well. Use a solid cake pan (not springform) so the batter doesn’t leak.
2. Drain Excess Moisture from Cottage Cheese
Place a fine mesh strainer over a bowl and spread out the cottage cheese in it. Let it sit for about 20–30 minutes so extra liquid drains out. Press gently with a spoon to release more liquid. This helps the cake hold together better and makes it fluffier.
3. Blend Base Ingredients
In a blender, add the drained cottage cheese and the egg yolks (keep the whites separate for now). Blend until the mixture is completely smooth with no tiny lumps.
4. Melt the White Chocolate
In a microwave-safe bowl, heat the white chocolate chips in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until the chocolate is fully melted and smooth. Let it cool just a few minutes so it’s not too hot.
5. Combine Chocolate with Cottage Cheese
Pour the melted white chocolate into the blender with the cottage cheese and egg yolk mixture. Blend again until you have a smooth, uniform batter with no streaks. Transfer this mixture into a large mixing bowl.
6. Whip Egg Whites
In a separate clean bowl, beat the egg whites with a mixer until they hold stiff peaks — which means when you lift the whisk, the whites stand up without collapsing. This aeration is what makes the cake fluffy.
7. Fold Egg Whites into Batter
Add one-third of the whipped egg whites into the cottage cheese batter. Gently fold it in with a spatula — scoop from the bottom and lift so you don’t squash the air bubbles. Then fold in the next third, and finally the last third. Take your time so the batter stays light.
8. Add Water Bath and Bake
Pour the combined batter into your prepared cake pan. Place this cake pan inside a slightly larger pan. Pour room-temperature water into the outer pan halfway up the cake pan. This is called a water bath, and it helps the cake bake evenly without cracking and makes the texture smooth.
Bake in the oven for about 45–55 minutes. The cake should look set and slightly puffed.
9. Cool Gradually
Turn off the oven but leave the cake inside with the door closed for another 45 minutes. This gentle cooling helps prevent the cake from collapsing too quickly and keeps it fluffy.
After that, remove the cake and let it cool completely. For best flavor and texture, refrigerate the cake for at least a few hours, or even overnight before serving.
Serving Ideas
Once chilled and firm, slice the cake and serve. You can dust the top with powdered sugar or add fresh fruit like berries for extra flavor. The cake is lightly sweet, fluffy, and creamy — perfect for dessert or a special snack.
Tips for Success
- Use high-protein cottage cheese to prevent the cake from becoming too moist.
- Don’t skip the egg white whipping step — it’s what gives the cake its signature fluffiness.
- The water bath helps the cake bake evenly and prevents cracking or dryness.
Final Thoughts
This 3-Ingredient Fluffy Cottage Cheese Cake is an easy and fun dessert that feels special but doesn’t demand complicated steps or ingredients. Whether you bake it for a family dessert, a gathering with friends, or just a treat for yourself, it’s a recipe that proves great things can come from very simple beginnings.