Protein-Packed Cottage Cheese Banana Bread:

Ingredients

• 2 ripe bananas, mashed
• 1 cup cottage cheese
• 2 large eggs
• 1/3 cup honey or maple syrup
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1½ cups all-purpose flour (or whole wheat flour)
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon (optional)
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)

Optional Glaze

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1–2 tbsp milk or lemon juice

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Grease or line a 9×5-inch loaf pan.
3. In a large bowl, mash bananas and whisk in cottage cheese, eggs, honey, and vanilla until mostly smooth.
4. In another bowl, combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon.
5. Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and stir just until combined. Fold in nuts if using.
6. Pour batter into the prepared loaf pan.
7. For the bakery-style look in the photo, place a banana sliced lengthwise on top.
8. Bake for 50–60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
9. Cool in the pan for 10–15 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.
10. If desired, drizzle with glaze after the bread has cooled.

Protein Estimate

Using 1 cup cottage cheese and 2 eggs, the loaf contains roughly 35–40 grams of protein total, depending on the brands used.