High-Protein Cottage Cheese Lemon Berry Parfait with Almonds
This lemon-berry cottage cheese parfait is one of my favorite quick desserts when I want something bright, creamy, and high in protein without a lot of sugar. It layers a tangy cottage cheese and Greek yogurt blend with a lightly sweetened berry compote, then finishes with toasted almonds for crunch — refreshing and satisfying.
It’s easy to scale for company, comes together in about 25 minutes, and keeps well in the fridge for a grab-and-go treat. I love it after a workout or as a lighter dessert that still feels indulgent.
Nutrition (per serving)
Directions
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1
Make the berry compote: place the mixed berries, 1 tbsp sweetener, and 1 tsp lemon juice in a small saucepan over medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until berries break down and the mixture thickens slightly, about 6–8 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool.
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2
Toast the almonds: in a small dry skillet over medium heat, toast the sliced almonds until golden and fragrant, 2–3 minutes, shaking the pan. Transfer to a plate to cool.
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3
Mix the creamy base: in a bowl combine cottage cheese, Greek yogurt, remaining 1 tbsp sweetener, 1 tsp lemon zest, 1 tsp vanilla extract, chia seeds, remaining 1 tsp lemon juice, and a pinch of salt. Stir until smooth-ish — a few small curds are fine.
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4
Assemble the parfaits: in four glasses or bowls layer about 2 tbsp compote, then 1/2 cup of the cottage cheese mixture, repeating once more to fill. Finish each with a sprinkle of toasted almonds and a mint leaf.
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5
Chill or serve: you can serve immediately or chill for 10–20 minutes to let chia seeds plump and flavors meld. Store leftovers covered in the fridge up to 2 days.
Ingredients
- Low-fat cottage cheese:2 cups
- Nonfat Greek yogurt:1 cup
- Fresh mixed berries (strawberries, blueberries):2 cups
- Erythritol or monk fruit sweetener:2 tbsp
- Lemon juice:1 tbsp
- Lemon zest:1 tsp
- Chia seeds:2 tbsp
- Vanilla extract:1 tsp
- Toasted sliced almonds:1/4 cup
- Pinch of salt:1 pinch
- Fresh mint leaves (optional):4 pieces
Tips & Notes
- For a smoother texture, briefly pulse the cottage cheese in a blender before mixing with the yogurt.
- Adjust sweetness to taste — the compote can be made with just berries and lemon if you prefer very low sugar.
- Swap sliced almonds for chopped pistachios or walnuts for a different crunch and flavor.
