Print

30g Protein Pumpkin Pie Shake (Cottage Cheese)

30g Protein Pumpkin Pie Shake (Cottage Cheese) - recipe card
Print Recipe

This creamy, dessert-like shake delivers a full 30 grams of protein per serving thanks to a surprising secret: frozen cottage cheese blended until smooth and velvety. Pumpkin purée, vanilla whey protein, and cozy pumpkin pie spices make it taste like a slice of pie in drinkable form—without any chalky aftertaste. It’s the ultimate post-workout treat or meal-prep breakfast that keeps you full for hours.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups (480g) low-fat cottage cheese (2% or 4%), frozen in cubes
  • 2 scoops (60g) vanilla whey protein powder
  • 1 can (15 oz) pumpkin purée (not pumpkin pie filling)
  • 2 cups unsweetened almond milk (or milk of choice)
  • 2 tbsp pure maple syrup (or honey)
  • 2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/2 tsp fine sea salt
  • 1 cup ice cubes (optional, for extra frostiness)
  • For garnish (optional): 4 tbsp whipped cream, 4 tsp crushed graham crackers, 4 cinnamon sticks

Instructions

  1. Start by freezing the cottage cheese: at least 4 hours before blending, portion the cottage cheese into ice cube trays or spread it in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze until solid. Freezing the cottage cheese is the key to a thick, milkshake-like texture without watering down the flavor with extra ice.
  2. Remove the frozen cottage cheese from the freezer and let it sit at room temperature for 5 minutes to slightly soften. This prevents strain on your blender and ensures a smoother blend.
  3. In the pitcher of a high-speed blender, combine the frozen cottage cheese, vanilla whey protein powder, pumpkin purée, almond milk, maple syrup, pumpkin pie spice, vanilla extract, and fine sea salt. The salt might seem odd in a sweet shake, but it sharpens the pumpkin and spice flavors, much like it does in pie filling.
  4. Add the ice cubes if you want an even thicker, frostier shake. Secure the lid and blend on high speed for 60-90 seconds, stopping to scrape down the sides once or twice. Blend until the mixture is completely smooth and creamy—no lumps of cottage cheese should remain. If your blender struggles, add an extra 2 tablespoons of almond milk, but keep it minimal to avoid a thin shake.
  5. Taste the shake and adjust sweetness or spice: add another tablespoon of maple syrup for more sweetness, or a pinch more pumpkin pie spice for a warmer flavor. Blend for another 10 seconds to incorporate.
  6. Pour the shake evenly into 4 glasses (about 1 1/2 cups each). For a true pumpkin pie experience, top each with 1 tablespoon of whipped cream, 1 teaspoon of crushed graham crackers, and a cinnamon stick for stirring. Serve immediately while cold and thick.
  7. If you prefer a thicker, spoonable texture, pour the shake into bowls and eat it like a smoothie bowl, adding your favorite toppings. You can also freeze the blended shake in popsicle molds for a high-protein frozen treat.

Notes

Storage: The blended shake is best enjoyed immediately, but you can store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. It will thicken as it sits; stir well or re-blend with a splash of almond milk before drinking. For meal prep, portion the frozen cottage cheese cubes and dry ingredients (protein powder, spices, salt) into individual freezer bags or containers; when ready, blend one portion with 1/2 cup almond milk, 1/4 can pumpkin, 1/2 tbsp maple syrup, and 1/2 tsp vanilla. Freezing: You can freeze the finished shake in ice cube trays or popsicle molds for up to 3 months. To thaw, let it sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes or blend frozen cubes with a splash of milk for an instant slushy. Reheating: Not recommended; this is a cold beverage. Protein boost: For an extra 5-10 grams of protein per serving, add 1/4 cup of nonfat Greek yogurt or an extra half scoop of whey protein, adjusting liquid as needed.

Nutrition

Keywords: pumpkin pie shake, protein shake, cottage cheese shake, 30g protein, vanilla whey protein, pumpkin spice, high protein breakfast, post-workout shake, no-cook recipe, healthy dessert, meal prep shake, frozen cottage cheese

Find it online: https://thehighproteinrecipes.com/protein-pumpkin-pie-shake-cottage-cheese/