Cheese And Maple Syrup: A Match Made In Heaven

Maple syrup and cheese is a classic combination, but which cheeses go best with maple syrup? A cheesemonger in Vermont recommends soft, Alpine, or aged cheeses, and says that any cheese can be a match for maple syrup. One source suggests that the salty-sweet combination of maple syrup and sharp cheddar is a match made in heaven. Another source recommends pairing maple syrup with a strong blue cheese like Roquefort, or baked brie with pecans and maple syrup as an appetiser. If you're looking for something different, try dipping maple beef sticks in some Taleggio for a funky combination.

Maple syrup and cheddar cheese

Maple syrup and cheese is a combination you have to try! While maple syrup may not be the first thing you think to add to your cheeseboard, it can bring out nuances in the cheese that you wouldn't otherwise taste.

A sharp cheddar is a match made in heaven with maple syrup. The sharp and tangy flavours of cheddar are accented by the beautiful, earthy sweetness of maple syrup. The buttery and sweet notes of the syrup make cheddar shine. You can serve it with cubes of cheddar and fresh apple slices, or use it in a maple cheddar apple tart.

For a simple way to serve maple syrup and cheddar, just pour a drizzle of syrup onto your bread or cracker and set the cheese on top.

If you're looking for a specific product, you could try Springside Maple Cheddar Cheese, or Vermont Farmstead Cheese Co.'s Maple Cheddar, made with raw whole milk and local Vermont maple cream.

Maple syrup and blue cheese

Blue cheese and maple syrup is a match made in heaven. The sweetness of the maple syrup grounds the robust flavour of the blue cheese, creating a delightful combination. This pairing works well in a variety of dishes, from salads to pizzas to burgers.

One way to enjoy this combination is to create a salad with blue cheese, walnuts, apples, and a maple vinaigrette. The walnuts add a crunchy texture, while the apples provide a refreshing contrast to the rich blue cheese and maple syrup. You can also add baby greens, such as arugula or spinach, to the salad for a nutritional boost.

Another option is to indulge in a sweet and savoury pizza. Start with a base of Italian cheese blend and add blue cheese, maple syrup, bacon, and sliced apples. The bacon provides a salty contrast to the sweetness of the maple syrup, while the Italian cheese blend melts into a gooey, delicious base.

If you're craving a hearty burger, try the Maple Bleu Cheese Burger. This burger features ground beef, crispy prosciutto, red onion, and a generous drizzle of maple syrup. The blue cheese adds a tangy twist to the classic burger, while the maple syrup gives it a unique sweet touch. Serve it on rustic Italian bread for an extra special treat.

For a vegetarian option, you can also pair blue cheese and maple syrup with roasted vegetables. Try roasting acorn squash with maple syrup, butter, and pecans, then topping it with crumbled blue cheese. The natural sweetness of the squash is enhanced by the maple syrup, and the blue cheese adds a savoury depth to the dish.

Whether you're enjoying it in a salad, on a pizza, or with roasted vegetables, the combination of blue cheese and maple syrup is sure to impress. The salty, tangy blue cheese complements the sweet, sticky maple syrup, creating a flavour profile that is both complex and irresistible.

Maple syrup and soft cheese

For a more savoury option, soft cheese and maple syrup can be combined with other ingredients to make a sophisticated snack or appetiser. Try a grilled cheese sandwich with a generous drizzle of maple syrup on top, or get creative and use the soft cheese as a dip for maple-glazed beef sticks.

If you're feeling adventurous, you could even try a unique twist on the classic grilled cheese by using soft cheese and adding maple-caramelised onions.

Grilled cheese sandwiches are a classic comfort food, but they can be taken to the next level with the addition of maple syrup. Simply cook your grilled cheese as you normally would, either in a skillet or a sandwich press, and then drizzle maple syrup on top before serving. The combination of the crispy, toasted bread, melted cheese, and sweet syrup is a treat for the taste buds.

For an extra indulgent version, use a soft, mild cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese, and add some sliced tomatoes or avocado for a flavour contrast. If you're feeling really adventurous, you could even try a dessert version with a sweet, fruity cheese like Brie or Camembert and a fruit-infused maple syrup.

Maple syrup and Alpine cheese

Maple syrup and cheese may seem like an unusual combination, but the addition of maple syrup to a cheese board can be a delicious and surprising way to elevate your next get-together.

Alpine Cheese and Maple Syrup

When considering which cheeses to pair with maple syrup, a cheesemonger in Vermont recommends soft, Alpine cheeses as a good match for Grade A maple syrup. Alpine cheeses are known for their nutty, buttery, and sweet flavours, with a hint of tanginess. The addition of maple syrup can enhance these flavours, creating a delicious and indulgent combination.

Cheese Recommendations

If you're looking for specific Alpine cheese recommendations to pair with maple syrup, consider Jasper Hill Alpha Tolman, a cheese with strong, robust flavours that can stand up to the sweetness of maple. Another option is a smoked cheese, such as a smoked cheddar or gouda, which can add a nice depth of flavour to the pairing. Aged Gouda, with its caramelly/butterscotchy sweetness, can also be a great choice to complement the maple syrup.

Serving Suggestions

When serving Alpine cheese with maple syrup, there are a few different ways to present this pairing. You can simply drizzle the maple syrup onto a cracker or bread and then place the cheese on top. Alternatively, you can create a more elaborate dish, such as a maple vinaigrette drizzled over a warm grain bowl with roasted vegetables and cooked grains, or a maple balsamic reduction served with burrata and basil.

So, the next time you're looking to impress your guests or simply want to indulge in a delicious treat, consider pairing Alpine cheese with maple syrup. The combination of sweet and savoury flavours is sure to delight your taste buds!

Maple syrup and goat cheese

Recipes

There are many recipes that incorporate maple syrup and goat cheese. Here are some ideas:

• Maple Goat Cheese Crostini: Slice a baguette into rounds, brush with olive oil, and rub with garlic. Spread fresh goat cheese on each slice, sprinkle with maple sugar, and drizzle with balsamic vinegar. Season with salt and pepper, and garnish with grilled walnuts and arugula leaves.
• Maple Goat Cheese Toast: Spread goat cheese on a slice of toasted whole wheat bread, drizzle with maple syrup, and sprinkle with pumpkin pie spice.
• Butternut Squash and Goat Cheese Spread: Combine goat cheese, maple syrup, and butternut squash.
• Pumpkin Goat Cheese Spread: Mix goat cheese, maple syrup, cinnamon, and canned pumpkin.
• Maple-flavoured Beets: Toss goat cheese with maple syrup, olive oil, beetroot, and apple cider vinegar.
• Maple Glazed Brussels Sprouts with Goat Cheese & Almonds: Toss goat cheese, maple syrup, slivered almonds, olive oil, and Brussels sprouts.
• Sweet & Savory Quinoa Breakfast Bowls: Combine goat cheese, maple syrup, dates, quinoa, and pumpkin seeds.
• Roasted Plums with Goat's Cheese and Preserved Ginger: Mix goat cheese, maple syrup, ginger in syrup, plum, and confectioners' sugar.
• Maple Roasted Carrots with Goat Cheese: Toss goat cheese, maple syrup, baby carrots, chives, and olive oil.
• Stuffed Peaches with Goat Cheese & Red Pepper: Combine goat cheese, maple syrup, peach, cinnamon, chili flakes, and nutmeg.
• Candied Bacon Goat Cheese Toasts with Honey Lavender Drizzle: Layer goat cheese, maple syrup, bacon, honey, and lavender oil on sourdough bread.
• Cheese and Eggplant Tarts: Combine goat cheese, maple syrup, puff pastry, eggplant, olive oil, and thyme.
• Acorn Squash With Maple Pecans And Goat Cheese: Mix goat cheese, maple syrup, pecans, butter, acorn squash, and thyme.
• Goat Cheese & Tomato Dressing: Whisk together goat cheese, maple syrup, extra virgin olive oil, white wine vinegar, tomato, and tarragon.
• Goat Cheese Stuffed Dates: Combine goat cheese, maple syrup, pecans, paprika, dates, and thyme.
• Roasted Cranberry and Goat Cheese Flatbreads: Toss goat cheese, maple syrup, flatbread, shallots, cranberries, and thyme.
• Bacon-Wrapped Dark Chocolate + Goat Cheese Stuffed Dates: Combine goat cheese, maple syrup, bacon, dark chocolate, dates, and cayenne.
• Apple, Fig, and Goat Cheese Toast with Maple Bacon: Layer goat cheese, maple syrup, bacon, apple, and fig jam on bread.

Frequently asked questions