Name: Strawberry Cheesecake Protein Shake
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 5 min
Ingredients: 1 cup frozen strawberries; ½ cup cottage cheese (I use low-fat Daisy brand); ½ cup ultra-filtered milk (I used low-fat Fairlife); ½ scoop vanilla protein powder (I used Optimum Nutrition Whey, vanilla ice cream flavor); ½ teaspoon vanilla extract; ¼ teaspoon cinnamon; 1 Graham cracker sheet (2 squares, plus more for sprinkling on top)

This creamy, decadent strawberry cheesecake protein shake has an impressive 33 grams of protein and tastes like dessert! Perfect for a sweet treat, snack, or protein-rich breakfast to satisfy your sweet tooth and keep you full.

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Strawberry cheesecake protein shake in a glass, topped with crushed graham crackers, with fresh strawberries in the background.

The only thing better than a rich and creamy shake that tastes like dessert is one that leaves you feeling full and energized. This strawberry cheesecake protein shake has been my go-to lately when I want something sweet, satisfying, and nourishing. It’s thick, creamy, and tastes incredibly similar to a real slice of strawberry cheesecake.

How does a sweet shake like this have so much protein? The secret is using cottage cheese as the base! It might sound strange at first, but trust me, it blends right in to create the perfect cheesecake texture and flavor without adding extra fat or sugar.

Plus, it gives this shake a serious protein boost (33 grams per glass!) and fits in a serving of fruit. Like my carrot cake smoothie and chocolate cherry smoothie recipes, this one tastes like dessert, but offers tons of nutritional benefits. You can enjoy this strawberry smoothie for a quick, high-protein breakfast, a healthy sweet treat, or a satisfying snack to keep you going between meals.

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Why you’ll love this recipe

You’re going to love this strawberry cheesecake protein shake because it tastes like dessert but is packed with nutrients your body needs. Who doesn’t love a sweet treat that’s also good for you?!

As a registered dietitian, I’m always looking for ways to make balanced eating fun and doable, and this shake is exactly that. It’s creamy, sweet, and satisfying, with 33 grams of protein to help keep you full and support your energy levels throughout the day. Plus, it truly takes just 5 minutes (or less) to whip up in the blender.

The frozen strawberries add natural sweetness along with a big boost of vitamin C, with 175% of your daily needs in just one serving. Plus, thanks to the cottage cheese and ultra-filtered milk, you get a good dose of calcium for strong bones. It’s the kind of snack that feels indulgent but fuels you in all the right ways.

Ingredients

Strawberries: I recommend using frozen strawberries for this recipe since it they blend into a decadent texture and make the shake extra cold. Frozen strawberries are a staple in our house for recipes just like this!
Cottage cheese: You can use either regular or reduced-fat cottage cheese for this recipe. It adds tons of protein and the signature “cheesecake” flavor to this smoothie.

Milk: Any milk will work, but I prefer to use an ultra-filtered milk for more protein and a creamy texture.
Vanilla protein powder: Use your favorite vanilla protein powder. I love using Optimum Nutrition Whey Protein Vanilla Ice Cream flavor in this shake.
Vanilla extract: for a little extra vanilla flavor
Cinnamon: Don’t skip this- it adds just a touch of warmth that makes it feel like you’re really eating cheesecake crust.
Graham crackers: For a full cheesecake crust effect! It blends well into the smoothie, and you can sprinkle some crumbs on top too!

How to make a high-protein strawberry cheesecake shake

Making this shake is as easy as tossing all of the ingredients into a high-powered blender and blending until smooth.

You can drink it as is or sprinkle some graham cracker crumbs, sliced strawberries, and whipped cream on top!

How to make this recipe even easier

Want to make this recipe but need it to be even easier? I got you! Here are some easy ways to shave down time and effort

Make it ahead: Add all of the ingredients except for the frozen strawberries and graham crackers into a blender jar and store in the refrigerator up to a day ahead of time. When ready, add the frozen strawberries and graham crackers and blend.

Variations

Make it gluten-free: For a gluten-free strawberry cheesecake smoothie, use gluten-free graham crackers.
Make it lactose-free: Ultra-filtered milk like fairlife is already lactose-free, but with a lactose-free protein powder and cottage cheese option, this whole recipe can be lactose-intolerant friendly. Good Culture carries a good lactose-free cottage cheese product.
Skip the protein powder: If you don’t have protein powder, no worries. Without it, this recipe still has 21 grams of protein!
Lower sugar option: Use only one graham cracker square, or skip them altogether for less added sugars.

Tips to make this recipe family-friendly

Skip the protein powder when making this recipe for kids.
Serve it smoothie bowl style and let everyone add their own toppings like sliced berries, granola, chocolate chips, extra graham crackers, coconut flakes, or whipped cream.
Turn it into popsicles by pouring the smoothie into a silicone popsicle mold.

Storing leftovers

This smoothie is best served immediately, as once the strawberries begin to melt, the texture will start to change. If you have leftovers, you can always turn them into popsicles!

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