Name: High-Protein Cottage Cheese Rosemary Garlic Bagel Bread
Ingredients: 1 cup (225 g) cottage cheese; 3 large eggs; 2 cups (240 g) all-purpose flour; 2 teaspoons baking powder; 2 tablespoons olive oil; 2 tablespoons fresh rosemary, finely chopped; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 1 teaspoon garlic powder; ¾ teaspoon salt; ½ teaspoon black pepper; 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese (optional); 1 tablespoon milk, only if needed to adjust the batter; 1 tablespoon extra chopped rosemary; 1 tablespoon melted butter or olive oil for brushing (optional)

Ingredients

Scale

Here is everything you need for one 9 × 5-inch loaf, which yields about 10 slices.

For the bread

1 cup (225 g) cottage cheese
3 large eggs
2 cups (240 g) all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons fresh rosemary, finely chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon garlic powder
¾ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
1 tablespoon milk, only if needed to adjust the batter

For the topping

1 tablespoon extra chopped rosemary
1 tablespoon melted butter or olive oil for brushing (optional)

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the oven and pan

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9 × 5-inch loaf pan with olive oil or butter, or line it with parchment paper, leaving a little overhang on the long sides. The overhang works like handles, making it easy to lift the loaf out once it has cooled slightly.

Step 2: Blend the cottage cheese

Add the cottage cheese to a blender or food processor and blend until smooth and creamy. This step creates a more even, uniform crumb with no visible curds. If you enjoy a slightly rustic texture, you can skip it and use the cottage cheese as it is.

Step 3: Mix the wet ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, blended cottage cheese, and olive oil until well combined. Stir in the minced garlic, chopped rosemary, and Parmesan if you are using it. The mixture should look creamy and flecked with green.

Step 4: Combine the dry ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Mixing these separately ensures the baking powder and seasonings are evenly distributed, so you do not get a pocket of salt or a flat, under-risen section.

Step 5: Make the batter

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture. Stir gently with a spatula until a thick, uniform batter forms. Stop as soon as no dry streaks remain. Overmixing develops the gluten and can make the bread dense and chewy rather than soft and tender.

The batter should be thick and spoonable. If it is too dry to come together, stir in the optional milk, one tablespoon at a time.

Step 6: Fill the loaf pan

Transfer the batter to the prepared pan and spread it evenly with a spatula, pushing it into the corners. Sprinkle the extra chopped rosemary over the top. For an extra savory finish, add a light dusting of garlic powder or a sprinkle of Parmesan. If you love the look of a bagel shop loaf, a topping of sesame, poppy, or other seeds adds crunch and color.

Step 7: Bake until golden

Bake for 40 to 50 minutes, until the top is deeply golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs. If the top is browning too fast, loosely tent the loaf with foil for the last part of baking.

Step 8: Cool and slice

Let the loaf rest in the pan for 10 to 15 minutes, then carefully transfer it to a wire rack. Brush the warm crust lightly with melted butter or olive oil for extra flavor and shine. Allow it to cool before slicing; cutting too early can squash the soft interior and make the slices gummy.

Step 9: Serve and enjoy

Slice and serve warm or lightly toasted. Spread with butter, cream cheese, or your favorite savory topping, and enjoy.