πŸ§€ The secret's in the curds

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April 28, 2025

Good morning. Did you know you don't have to sacrifice nutrition when it comes to baking? Cottage cheese is a popular protein-boosting substitute that can be used in a variety of recipes. Whether you're looking for ways to add more protein for muscle gains, trying to create more balanced treats for your family, or just making more health-conscious decisions, we've got you covered in this week's newsletter.

In today's newsletter:

  • Substituting Cottage Cheese: Understanding how and when to use cottage cheese in a recipe
  • Science Corner: Why cottage cheese works as a low-fat and high-protein substitute
  • Community Crossword

Not sure what to use when you're out of a key ingredient? Our Baking Substitution Guide breaks down the best swaps β€” including gluten-free options β€” with tips, ratios, and science to back them up.

What's happening with baking

​Dubai Chocolate Is Causing A Pistachio Shortage​

For the past year, Dubai chocolate has been absolutely everywhere. The viral treat, which was originally created by a chocolatier in β€” you guessed it β€” Dubai, spawned a wave of people not only clamoring to get their hands on the limited-quantity bar, but also numerous copycats and iterations of the delicious dessert.

​King Arthur's Chili Crisp Cottage Cheese Flatbreads​

King Arthur has hopped on the cottage cheese trend and came out with these delightful protein-filled flatbreads with a little heat.

​Vegan No-Bake Lemon Cheesecake​

We've been absolutely obsessed with this vegan no-bake lemon cheesecake recipe! This refreshing citrus treat requires no dairy and no hot ovenβ€”perfect for when you want something bright and zesty without the fuss.

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This Week's Featured Topic:
Cottage Cheese in Baking

Cottage cheese might not be the first thing you think of when it comes to baking, but it’s an incredibly versatile ingredient! It can replace part of the fat or liquid in recipes while adding a boost of protein and moisture. Let’s take a closer look at how to use it effectively.

Best ways to incorporate it:

  • Blend cottage cheese until smooth and use it in place of some or all of the sour cream or yogurt in cakes and muffins.
  • Swap part of the butter or oil with blended cottage cheese to create lighter, higher-protein baked goods.
  • Add it directly to batters for pancakes, quick breads, and cheesecakes for extra tenderness and richness.

The Science Behind It: Cottage cheese is rich in casein protein, which helps with structure-building in baked goods. Its high moisture content keeps bakes soft and tender, while the slight acidity can help activate baking soda for a better rise. When blended, it becomes smooth and creamy, making it an easy substitute without altering the texture too much.

Pro Tip: Always blend your cottage cheese before adding it to batter unless you want noticeable curds! A quick blend in a blender or food processor makes it silky and seamless.

​Read more →​

Check Out This Week's Crossword

Send us a screenshot if you solve it! The first one to solve it will get a shout-out in our next newsletter :)


When you're ready, here's how we can help:

  • ​Get our complete baking substitution guide - Save failed batches and bake with confidence, even when you're out of key ingredients. Loved by 600+ home bakers.
  • ​Sponsor this newsletter - Get in front of 600+ passionate home bakers.
  • ​Explore our ingredients - Check out our extensive list of ingredients and substitutions, packed with history and nutritional information.
  • ​Join the community - Got questions about substitutions? Post on our subreddit, and I'll do my best to answer your questions as quickly as I can

See You in the Next One!

Have a substitution you want us to cover? Have you seen any amazing recipes that use substitutions recently? Send them all our way, and we might include them in an upcoming newsletter!
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BakingSubs

Hi! Malik & Maddy from BakingSubs here. There's nothing worse than getting ready to bake something new, and finding out you're missing a key ingredient. What do you do? Baking isn't like cooking where you can swap things easily, it's a science. In our newsletter, we provide easy to understand baking substitutions for your recipes, so you can avoid mistakes, and finally bake with confidence.