Introduction

Lemon Cottage Cheese Bars are a bright and creamy treat perfect for a light dessert or snack. With a fresh lemon zing and a tender crumb, these bars combine wholesome ingredients and a hint of white chocolate for extra indulgence. They’re simple to make and sure to please any citrus lover.

A square sheet of light golden blond shortbread is cut evenly into nine pieces on white parchment paper lying on a white marbled surface. In the foreground, a woman's hand holds one rectangular piece showing its smooth, slightly crumbly texture and pale inside. The shortbread edges are clean and crisp, with a uniform thickness and soft color. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 cup cottage cheese (210g), drained for 10 minutes
2 eggs or 3 egg whites
1 tsp vanilla extract (5g)
Zest of 1 lemon (about 1 tbsp)
¼ cup fresh lemon juice (60g)
½ cup raw cane sugar (100g) or any sweetener you prefer
1 cup almond flour or oat flour (100g)
1 tsp baking powder (4g)
½ tsp salt (3g)
¼ cup white chocolate (45g), melted and slightly cooled (optional)
2 tbsp white chocolate chips (28g), to sprinkle on top (optional)

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
Step 2: Melt ¼ cup of white chocolate using a microwave or double boiler. Set it aside to cool slightly.
Step 3: In a blender or food processor, combine the drained cottage cheese, eggs (or egg whites), vanilla extract, lemon zest, lemon juice, and sweetener. Blend until smooth and creamy.
Step 4: Add the baking powder, salt, and melted white chocolate to the blender. Blend again until everything is well incorporated.
Step 5: In a medium bowl, add the almond or oat flour. Pour the lemon cottage cheese mixture over the flour and gently mix until combined.
Step 6: Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly. Sprinkle the top with white chocolate chips if using.
Step 7: Bake for 22 to 25 minutes, or until the center is just set and a toothpick inserted comes out with a few moist crumbs.
Step 8: Let the bars cool completely before slicing. For a denser, fudgier texture, chill the bars in the refrigerator before serving.

Tips & Variations

If you prefer, skip the white chocolate and instead add ½ cup of fresh berries on top before baking for a fruity twist.
Draining the cottage cheese well helps achieve a better texture in the bars.
Try oat flour for a milder flavor or almond flour for a nuttier result.
Use any sweetener that suits your preference, adjusting sweetness to taste.

Storage

Store these lemon cottage cheese bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. They also freeze well—wrap individual bars and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge before serving. Reheat gently if desired, but they are also delicious served cold.

How to Serve

A woman's hand holds a single, square piece of a soft, light yellow cake with a slightly browned crust on the top and bottom. Behind the hand, there is a larger, rectangular cake on white parchment paper, cut into nine equal square pieces. The cake has a smooth texture and a pale golden color, set on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use regular eggs instead of egg whites?

Yes, you can use either 2 whole eggs or 3 egg whites depending on your preference. Whole eggs will give a richer texture, while egg whites make the bars lighter.

What if I don’t want to use white chocolate?

The recipe works perfectly without white chocolate. You can simply omit it and top the bars with fresh berries before baking for a fresh flavor alternative.

Lemon Cottage Cheese Bars Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.8 from 72 reviews

These Lemon Cottage Cheese Bars are a bright, tangy, and protein-packed dessert perfect for a refreshing treat. Combining creamy cottage cheese with fresh lemon juice and zest, they balance sweetness with citrusy flavor. Almond or oat flour creates a moist, tender base, while optional white chocolate adds a subtle richness. Easy to whip up and baked to perfection, these bars offer a healthier alternative to traditional lemon desserts with a satisfying texture and vibrant taste.

Author: Stella
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Yield: 9 bars (3×3 squares from an 8×8-inch pan) 1x
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American
Diet: Low Fat

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

1 cup cottage cheese, 210g (drained for 10 minutes)
2 eggs or 3 egg whites
1 tsp vanilla extract, 5g
Zest of 1 lemon (about 1 tbsp)
¼ cup fresh lemon juice, 60g
½ cup raw cane sugar, 100g (or any sweetener you like)
1 cup almond flour or oat flour, 100g
1 tsp baking powder, 4g
½ tsp salt, 3g

Optional Ingredients

¼ cup white chocolate, 45g (melted and cooled slightly)
2 tbsp white chocolate chips, 28g (to sprinkle on top)
Or alternatively: ½ cup berries to top before baking (if not using white chocolate)

Instructions

Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper to ensure easy removal of the bars after baking.
Melt White Chocolate (Optional): Melt ¼ cup of white chocolate using a microwave or double boiler method. Allow it to cool slightly while you prepare the rest of the ingredients. This step is optional but adds a lovely richness to the bars.
Blend Wet Ingredients: In a blender or food processor, combine the drained cottage cheese, eggs (or egg whites), vanilla extract, lemon zest, fresh lemon juice, and sugar or sweetener. Blend until the mixture is smooth and creamy to create the flavorful wet base.
Incorporate Dry Ingredients and Melted Chocolate: Add the baking powder, salt, and the melted white chocolate (if using) to the blender. Blend briefly until everything is fully incorporated, ensuring an even distribution of flavor and leavening agents.
Combine with Flour: Transfer the blended lemon cottage cheese mixture into a medium-sized bowl containing your chosen flour (almond or oat flour). Gently mix until just combined to maintain a tender texture.
Fill Baking Pan and Add Toppings: Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan, spreading evenly. Sprinkle the top with 2 tablespoons of white chocolate chips if using. Alternatively, you may top with ½ cup of berries if you prefer no chocolate.
Bake the Bars: Bake in the preheated oven for 22 to 25 minutes, or until the center is just set and a toothpick inserted comes out with a few moist crumbs. Avoid overbaking for the best texture.
Cool and Serve: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before slicing. For a denser, fudgier texture, refrigerate the bars after cooling. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

Notes

Drain the cottage cheese thoroughly to avoid excess moisture in the batter.
Using egg whites instead of whole eggs reduces fat and cholesterol but maintains protein content.
If skipping the white chocolate, topping with fresh or frozen berries adds natural sweetness and a colorful touch.
Almond flour will provide a nuttier flavor, while oat flour gives a milder, slightly sweeter base.
Chilling the bars after baking enhances their fudgy texture, making them more like a dense lemon cheesecake bar.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Keywords: lemon dessert, cottage cheese bars, healthy lemon bars, protein bars, low fat dessert, almond flour dessert, lemon bars with white chocolate