Bushra Griffith
Cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes, from sandwiches to salads and pasta. Baking with cheese can add texture and flavour to your recipes, and with so many types of cheese available, you can easily find one that suits your taste preferences and culinary needs. When it comes to choosing the right cheese for baking, factors such as taste and texture work hand in hand, and cost may also be a consideration. For instance, soft cheeses like Brie and goat cheese melt quickly and are perfect for dips, while semi-hard cheeses like cheddar and gouda are versatile and can be sliced, melted, or fried. Harder cheeses like Parmesan add a strong flavour to dishes, and blue cheese, despite its mould, is a safe and tasty option for flatbreads and burgers.
Characteristics of cheese to use for baking
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of cheese | Soft cheeses like Brie, Neufchâtel, goat cheese, Camembert, Raclette, Feta, Mozzarella, Fontina, Fromager d’Affinois, Gorgonzola, Gruyere, Asiago, Jarlsberg, Parmesan, Blue Cheese |
| Flavour | Tangy, salty, sweet, nutty, fruity, buttery, earthy, sharp, mild, creamy, herbal, zesty, bitter, pungent |
| Texture | Stretchy, smooth, spreadable, crumbly, creamy, gooey, melty, crispy, firm |
| Use | Baked appetizers, sandwiches, dips, salads, pasta, casseroles, sauces, soups, grilled cheese, bagels, bread |
| Pairing | Bread, crackers, cured meats, honey, balsamic vinegar, sun-dried tomatoes, crudités, bruschetta, olive oil, herbs, garlic, chilli, lemon, rosemary, oregano, thyme, sumac, clove, mushrooms, onions, broccoli, cabbage, wine, Martini |
| Purpose | Adding texture, flavour, colour, taste, sophistication |
| Tips | Use a sturdy knife to slice hard cheese, grate semi-hard cheese, chill soft cheese before shredding, add at the end of cooking to retain flavour, use full-fat varieties for fondue |
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What You'll Learn
Soft cheeses like Brie, goat's cheese, and Camembert
When baked, Brie develops an even more intense flavour and can be a comforting dish. It is delicious when cubed and tossed into salads or melted onto pasta. For a simple baked Brie, preheat your oven to 350°F and bake the cheese for 10–12 minutes or until the centre feels soft. For an extra touch of flavour, top it with caramelised onions or sautéed mushrooms, and serve it with a dry Alsatian Gewürztraminer. If you're serving it after dessert, add a drizzle of honey and balsamic reduction straight out of the oven. For a sweeter variation, Fromager d’Affinois, a double cream cheese, is a good choice. Its creaminess is enhanced by some raspberry preserves and a glass of sparkling wine like Prosecco or Cava.
Goat's cheese, with its distinctive earthy and buttery taste, is another excellent option for baking. It pairs beautifully with bread and crudités for dipping, and its flavour is elevated when served with a tomato-based sauce. For a sweet twist, stir in some honey. During the warmer months, bake chunky rounds of goat's cheese and toss them into a refreshing salad.
Camembert, a soft and creamy cow's milk cheese with a pungent aroma, is also a popular choice for baking. It is classically paired with bread for dipping and served plain, but you can add honey or preserves for a sweet twist or chilli oil or chilli sauce for a spicy kick. To bake Camembert, preheat your oven to 400°F. Unwrap the cheese, ensuring any stickers are removed, and place it back in its box. Make several cuts in the top of the cheese and add some garlic cloves and rosemary. Bake for 20 minutes, or until the cheese is gooey, and serve with bread, breadsticks, or crudités for dipping.
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Semi-hard cheeses like cheddar, gouda, and provolone
If you're using cheddar, it's best to opt for a sharp cheddar cheese to ensure your baked goods have a strong flavour. While mild cheeses will add a creamy texture, they won't have as much of an impact on the final flavour. It's also recommended to buy a block of cheddar and grate it yourself, as pre-shredded cheese often contains additional chemicals.
Gouda and provolone are also great options for baking. They have a similar texture to cheddar and will melt easily into your dishes. You can use them in similar ways to cheddar, such as in grilled cheese sandwiches or casseroles.
When using semi-hard cheeses, it's important to store them properly to maintain their freshness. Wrap the cheese in parchment or wax paper, then place it in a partially sealed container in the fridge. This will keep the cheese moist while still allowing it to breathe.
Semi-hard cheeses are a great option for baking due to their versatility and ability to melt easily. They can add a creamy texture and a strong flavour to your dishes, making them a valuable ingredient in your kitchen.
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Fresh cheeses like ricotta, mozzarella, and cottage cheese
Mozzarella is a stretchy cheese that can be frozen for 10 to 15 minutes to firm it up before shredding. It can be used in sandwiches, casseroles, or fried into crispy snacks. It can also be shredded and melted into sauces and pasta toppings.
Ricotta is another soft cheese that can be blended easily. It can be added to pancake batter to make fluffy pancakes.
Cottage cheese is another versatile option that can be added to smoothies. It has a mild flavour and blends easily.
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Hard cheeses like parmesan and pecorino romano
Hard cheeses are versatile in the kitchen and can be used in a variety of ways. They can be grated and melted into sauces or used as a topping for pasta dishes. They can also be sliced and melted into casseroles or fried into crispy snacks. These cheeses can be stored in the fridge by wrapping them in parchment or wax paper and placing them in a partially sealed container.
When it comes to baking bread, hard cheeses like Parmesan can be a good option. Asiago cheese, which is similar to Parmesan but with a more buttery and earthy taste, can also be used. It is named after the town of Asiago in Italy and is made with fresh whole cow's milk. If you are looking for a lactose-free option, Parmigiano Reggiano is a good choice.
While mild cheeses may not have as much of an impact on the final flavour of your baked goods, stronger-flavoured cheeses like sharp Cheddar or Asiago can enhance the taste of your recipes. These hard cheeses can add a punch of flavour to your baked dishes and are worth considering when you want a more pronounced cheesy note.
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Blue cheese and its substitutes
Blue cheese is a type of cheese that is loved by many for its unique flavour and texture. However, it may not always be readily available or suitable for everyone. For instance, it is not recommended for pregnant women or those who are allergic to penicillin. If you are lactose intolerant, vegan, or simply not a fan of blue cheese, there are several alternatives that can provide a similar taste and texture.
Some good substitutes for blue cheese include feta, gorgonzola, and chevre. Feta is drier and more crumbly than most blue cheese, but it has a saltier flavour and can be a good substitute when you are mindful of the salt content in your dish. Chevre, a French goat's cheese, is soft and creamy with a tangy flavour. It is also crumbly and has a salty flavour, making it a popular substitute for blue cheese. It is also suitable for those with a penicillin allergy as it gets its tanginess from the aging process. Gorgonzola, a milder Italian version of blue cheese, can be used in the same way as blue cheese, such as crumbled over salads, melted on burgers, or as a dip for vegetables.
Other alternatives include halloumi, which has a harder and more crumbly texture, and is also saltier. Shaved parmesan has a stronger, more savoury flavour profile than blue cheese, with a yellower colour and a harder, drier texture. Cream cheese is another option, especially in dishes with many other strong flavours. Fresh goat's cheese is tangier but lacks the distinctive 'blue' flavour of blue cheese, and its creamy texture and freshness will work well in most dishes that call for blue cheese.
For dairy-free alternatives, roasted walnuts can provide a big flavour hit and a crunchy texture. Other nuts like almonds, pine nuts, pistachios, macadamias, or cashews can also work well. Olives can provide a salty, briny burst of flavour, while hummus can add a similar tang and substance. Chunks of avocado can also add creamy goodness and substance to your dish, especially with a squeeze of lemon or lime. Sun-dried tomatoes can also add a burst of flavour and a touch of sweetness.
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Frequently asked questions
Some popular cheeses to bake include Camembert, Raclette, Feta, and Goat's Cheese.
Baked cheese is a great appetiser for dinner parties. Try baking Camembert with garlic cloves and rosemary, and serving it with bread, breadsticks, and crudités for dipping. You could also bake Raclette with herbs, garlic, or spices, and serve it with bread, boiled potatoes, sliced vegetables, salads, or seafood.
When baking bread, it is a good idea to use strongly flavoured cheeses. Some good options include Gruyere, Gorgonzola, Asiago, Jarlsberg, and Parmesan.
Soft cheeses like Brie, Neufchâtel, and herbed goat cheese melt quickly and mix easily, making them perfect for baked dishes. Semi-hard cheeses like Cheddar, Gouda, and Provolone are also versatile and can be sliced, melted, or fried.
