Keto Strawberry Cheesecake Protein Shake

Cream cheese is what makes this read as cheesecake instead of strawberry milk. It also thickens the shake enough that you need a spoon for the first few bites. Frozen strawberries keep it cold without watering it down, and at about 8g net carbs this fits a moderate keto day as a meal rather than a snack. Two minutes start to finish.

Ingredients

• 1 cup unsweetened almond milk, cold
• 1 scoop vanilla whey isolate (32g)
• 2 oz full-fat cream cheese, cut into cubes
• 1/4 cup frozen strawberries (40g)
• 2 tablespoons heavy cream
• 1 tablespoon allulose, or 5 drops liquid monk fruit
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Pinch of fine sea salt
• 1/2 cup ice

Instructions

1. Add the almond milk, heavy cream, cream cheese cubes, allulose, vanilla, and salt to the blender first so the liquid sits under the blade.
2. Add the whey isolate, frozen strawberries, and ice on top.
3. Blend on high for 45 to 60 seconds, until the cream cheese is fully broken down and no white flecks remain on the side of the jar.
4. Check the thickness and add a splash more almond milk if it will not pour, or 3 more ice cubes if you want it spoonable.
5. Pour into a chilled glass and drink right away, or refrigerate for up to 24 hours in a sealed jar and shake hard before drinking.

Tips

• Cube the cream cheese and let it sit out five minutes before blending. Cold blocks bounce off the blade and leave gritty white specks that no amount of extra blending will smooth out.
• Blend the whey last and only until combined. Over-blending whey aerates it into foam that doubles the volume and makes the shake taste thin.
• For a keto-friendly crust flavor, blend in 1 tablespoon of almond flour and a pinch of cinnamon. It adds about 1g net carb and a real graham note.

FAQ

How many net carbs are in this shake?

About 8g net carbs. The strawberries account for roughly 2.5g, the cream cheese 2g, the whey 2g, and the almond milk and cream about 2g between them.

Can I use fresh strawberries instead of frozen?

Yes, but add 3 or 4 extra ice cubes or the shake will be thin and lukewarm. Frozen fruit is doing double duty as flavor and as the chill.

Can I make it without protein powder?

Blend 1/2 cup of full-fat cottage cheese in place of the whey. Protein lands around 16g instead of 30g and net carbs go up by about 3g, but the cheesecake flavor gets better.

Will this keep me in ketosis?

For most people on a 20g to 30g net carb budget, yes, as long as it is not your only carb source that day. If you are under 20g strictly, cut the strawberries in half and use extract instead.

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