Pumpkin Cottage Cheese Breakfast Bake with Hot Chocolate Protein
A cozy pumpkin spice breakfast bake packed with protein and whole grains, paired with a creamy hot chocolate protein drink.
Prep
10 min
Cook
35 min
Total
45 min
Makes
1 serving
Created together. Shared with you.
Made by Mendy + Lila
Mendy created this recipe with Lila and shared it with the perimenopause community.
The feel-good payoff
Why this meal can feel especially good in perimenopause
Think practical wins: steadier energy, comfortable fullness and one less food decision. Your response is personal, so use the prompts below to notice what works for you.
Perimenopause symptoms and relief · Office on Women’s HealthComfortably satisfied
Fullness that has staying power
This meal is designed to feel substantial, so finishing it can feel like the meal is complete rather than the start of an evening of grazing.
Notice: fullness 2–3 hours later
Steadier energy
Feel fueled, not flattened
A complete meal with protein, carbohydrates and fats is designed to offer more staying power than a quick carb-only fix.
Notice: energy 1–3 hours later
More staying power
Make the next few hours easier
This meal is built to be more sustaining than a snack-sized stopgap, with enough substance to carry you into the next part of the day.
Notice: energy + fullness later
Clearer, simpler choices
Let the recipe do the thinking
Clear steps and a complete plate mean fewer decisions when focus is in short supply—and a more substantial meal once you are done.
Notice: focus + energy later
Setup
Get set up
Choose your servings, gather what you need, then cook along below.
Prep
10 min
Cook
35 min
Total
45 min
How many are you cooking for?
The ingredient amounts update automatically.
Equipment
Oven · Blender · Saucepan · Whisk
Time saver
Prep the vegetables and measure pantry ingredients earlier in the day to shorten cook time.
Do these three things first
- 1Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a baking dish.
- 2Set out all ingredients before cooking
- 3Measure the pantry ingredients before heating the pan
Ingredients
Gather as you go
Ingredients
Cook along
Instructions
0 of 11 steps complete
Next: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and…
- 01
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and…
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a baking dish.
Tap card to mark done - 02
Combine the cottage cheese
In a high-speed blender, combine the cottage cheese, eggs, rolled oats, banana, pumpkin puree, maple syrup, pumpkin pie spice, and baking powder.
Tap card to mark done - 03
Blend on high for 45 to 60…
Blend on high for 45 to 60 seconds until the batter is completely smooth and creamy.
Look for: the batter is completely smooth and creamy
Tap card to mark done - 04
Pour the blended mixture into the prepared…
Pour the blended mixture into the prepared baking dish and smooth the top evenly with a spatula.
Ready when: everything is assembled and ready to enjoy
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Sprinkle the chopped pecans evenly over the…
Sprinkle the chopped pecans evenly over the top of the batter.
Ready when: everything is assembled and ready to enjoy
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Bake for 30 to 35 minutes
Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, until the center is set and a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out clean.
Look for: the center is set and a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out clean
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Allow the bake to cool slightly before…
Allow the bake to cool slightly before slicing into portions.
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Pour the almond milk into a small…
While the bake rests, pour the almond milk into a small saucepan or microwave-safe mug.
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Heat the almond milk over medium-low heat…
Heat the almond milk over medium-low heat on the stovetop for 3 to 4 minutes until warm (around 150°F / 65°C), or microwave on high for 60 seconds.
Look for: warm (around 150°F / 65°C), or microwave on high for 60 seconds
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Whisk the chocolate protein powder into the…
Whisk the chocolate protein powder into the warm almond milk until fully dissolved and frothy.
Look for: fully dissolved and frothy
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Serve one warm portion of the pumpkin…
Serve one warm portion of the pumpkin bake alongside the hot chocolate protein drink.
Ready when: everything is assembled and ready to enjoy
Tap card to mark done
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