Easy Cottage Cheese Rolls Recipe

I never thought much about homemade rolls until my kids started refusing the store-bought ones in their lunch boxes. Growing up, we always had those perfectly uniform rolls from the grocery store, and I assumed that’s just how it was supposed to be.

Then I discovered this cottage cheese rolls recipe, and it changed everything. These rolls are basically foolproof – even if you’re not much of a baker. The cottage cheese might sound strange, but trust me, it’s the secret to making these rolls turn out soft and tasty every single time, without any fancy techniques or special equipment.

What Kind of Cottage Cheese Should I Use?

For these rolls, you’ll want to start with regular cottage cheese that’s well-drained – just give it a quick strain through a fine-mesh sieve if it seems particularly wet.

Small or medium curd cottage cheese tends to work better than large curd since it incorporates more smoothly into the dough.

While you can use any fat percentage, 4% (full-fat) cottage cheese will give you the most tender, flavorful rolls, though 2% will work just fine if that’s what you have on hand.

Options for Substitutions

Need to make some swaps? Here are some helpful substitutions for these rolls:

• Cottage cheese: You can replace cottage cheese with ricotta cheese or Greek yogurt – both will give you a similar texture. If using Greek yogurt, strain it first to remove excess liquid.
• Vanilla essence: Out of vanilla? Try using almond extract (use half the amount) or maple syrup (same amount) for a different but tasty flavor profile.
• White vinegar: Apple cider vinegar or lemon juice work just as well in the same amount – they’re needed to react with the baking soda, so don’t skip this ingredient!
• Plain flour: All-purpose flour is a must for the right texture, but you can swap up to 1/2 cup with whole wheat flour if you want a nuttier taste. Just know the rolls might be slightly denser.
• Milk: Any type of milk works here – dairy or non-dairy. You can use almond milk, soy milk, or even water in a pinch, keeping the same measurements.

What to Serve With Cottage Cheese Rolls?

These soft, slightly sweet rolls are perfect for breakfast or brunch, and they pair wonderfully with a variety of toppings and sides.

A simple pat of butter or honey makes these rolls even more delicious, while fruit preserves or jam add a nice touch of sweetness.

For a complete breakfast spread, serve them alongside scrambled eggs and crispy bacon, or keep things light with fresh fruit and your morning coffee.

If you’re serving these for afternoon tea, they’re great with butter and a drizzle of honey, plus your favorite hot beverage.

Storage Instructions

Keep Fresh: These cottage cheese rolls stay good at room temperature for about 2 days when kept in an airtight container. For longer storage, pop them in the fridge where they’ll keep well for up to 5 days. Just remember to place a paper towel in the container to absorb any excess moisture.

Freeze: Want to make a bigger batch? These rolls freeze really well! Let them cool completely, then wrap them individually in plastic wrap and place in a freezer bag. They’ll stay fresh for up to 3 months in the freezer. It’s super handy for busy mornings or unexpected guests.

Warm Up: To enjoy your rolls later, just let frozen ones thaw overnight in the fridge. When you’re ready to eat, warm them up in the microwave for 15-20 seconds, or pop them in a 350°F oven for about 5 minutes. They’ll taste almost as good as freshly baked!

 

How to Know When the Cottage Cheese Rolls are Done

These rolls are ready when they’ve turned a light golden brown on top and have puffed up nicely in size – typically this takes about 15-18 minutes in the oven.

To make sure they’re cooked through, gently tap the bottom of one roll – it should sound hollow, and the bottom should be golden brown too.

Let them cool for about 5 minutes before serving, as they’ll continue to set up a bit more during this time.

Cottage Cheese Rolls FAQ

Why do I need to add vinegar to this recipe?

The vinegar in this recipe plays an important role by reacting with the baking soda to create a chemical reaction. When these two ingredients combine, they produce carbon dioxide bubbles that help the rolls rise and become light and fluffy. Don’t worry – you won’t taste the vinegar in the final product!

Does the cottage cheese need to be drained?

Yes, it’s best to drain excess liquid from your cottage cheese before using it in these rolls. I usually place the cottage cheese in a fine-mesh strainer for about 10 minutes before measuring. This helps prevent the dough from becoming too wet, which could affect the texture of your rolls.

Why do we need both baking powder and baking soda?

Using both leavening agents gives these rolls the perfect rise and texture. The baking soda reacts quickly with the vinegar for initial lift, while the baking powder provides a slower, steady rise during baking. I’ve tried the recipe with just one or the other, and using both definitely gives the best results.

Preparation Time	15-20 minutes
Cooking Time	17-22 minutes
Total Time	32-42 minutes
Level of Difficulty	Easy

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup cottage cheese
• 2 eggs
• 3/4 teaspoon vanilla essence
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 3/4 teaspoon white vinegar
• 2 cups plain flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 2 tablespoons milk
• 2 tablespoons sugar

Step 1: Preheat and Prep

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C).

While the oven is heating, line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a Silpat mat to prevent the rolls from sticking.

Step 2: Combine Wet Ingredients

In a food processor, combine the cottage cheese, eggs, vanilla extract, and sugar.

Process these ingredients until the mixture is smooth and well-blended.

Step 3: Mix in Baking Soda and Vinegar

In a small bowl, mix the baking soda and vinegar together.

This will create a foamy reaction.

Add this mixture to the food processor with the wet ingredients and process until integrated.

Step 4: Add Dry Ingredients

To the food processor, add the flour, salt, and baking powder.

Process until all the ingredients are combined.

Note that the dough will be wet and very sticky, which is normal for this recipe.

Step 5: Shape the Dough

Transfer the wet dough to a well-floured surface.

Divide it into 8 pieces, and roll each piece into a ball.

Place these dough balls on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them evenly.

Step 6: Bake and Finish the Rolls

Bake the rolls in the preheated oven for 12 minutes.

Remove the baking sheet from the oven and brush each roll with milk.

Sprinkle a bit of sugar on top of each one for added sweetness.

Return the rolls to the oven and bake for an additional 5-10 minutes or until they are nicely browned.

Step 7: Cool and Store

Once the rolls are perfectly browned, remove them from the oven and allow them to cool slightly.

Store any leftovers in an airtight container to keep them fresh.