Delicious Dessert Cheese Pairings For A Sweet Finish

Ending a meal with cheese is a European trend that is catching on around the world. Dessert cheese can be served after a salad or a main course, and it can be either savoury or sweet. Popular dessert cheeses include goat cheese, aged gouda, blue cheese, fontina, havarti, mascarpone, Emmentaler, pecorino, fresh ricotta, and brie. Dessert cheeses are often served with fresh fruit and nuts, such as raspberries and roasted pecans, and drizzled with balsamic vinegar or honey. They can also be served with wine, coffee, or Belgian beer.

Dessert cheese boards: include fresh berries, fall fruits, and wine

Dessert cheese boards are a fabulous way to end a meal. They are elegant, easy to put together, and versatile. While any type of cheese can be served as a dessert course, some cheeses are especially well-suited to be the star of a dessert cheese board.

When crafting a dessert cheese board, it is important to choose cheeses that pair well with sweeter flavours. Goat cheese is a popular choice, but creamy and mild cheeses such as ricotta or brie are also excellent options. For those who prefer sharper cheeses, hard cheeses like cheddar or parmesan can be a great choice.

To create a well-rounded dessert cheese board, it is recommended to select a variety of cheeses with different flavours and textures. Combining mild and strong cheeses, as well as soft and hard cheeses, will add interest and depth to your board.

In addition to the cheeses themselves, the choice of accompaniments is crucial. Fresh berries, fall fruits, and dried fruits are all excellent choices. Figs, apples, grapes, and pears are classic options that complement the cheeses without overpowering them. For a touch of sweetness, dark chocolate or candied nuts can be added.

To take your dessert cheese board to the next level, consider adding some wine pairings. Layer Cake Wines offers a range of wines that pair beautifully with dessert cheeses. For example, their 2015 Shiraz, with notes of cocoa, berries, and warm spice, goes well with gouda and sweeter fruits like grapes, pears, and apples. If you're looking for something fuller-bodied and fruitier, their 2016 Malbec is a perfect match for aged manchego or cheddar cheeses, best enjoyed with berries and chocolate. For a unique experience, try their Bourbon Barrel Aged Cabernet Sauvignon, which pairs amazingly with tangy goat cheese sprinkled with brown sugar and served with strawberries, raspberries, or blackberries.

So, whether you're hosting a girls' night or a dinner party, a dessert cheese board is a perfect way to impress your guests. With a combination of sweet and savory elements, it offers a delightful end to any meal.

Dessert cheese and fruit combinations: pears, apricots, and cherries

Dessert cheese and fruit combinations are a delightful way to end a meal. Here are some delicious ways to pair dessert cheeses with pears, apricots, and cherries.

Pears and Cheeses

The combination of pears and cheese is a classic pairing that has been enjoyed for centuries. In Italy, this pairing is especially popular, with the belief that the right combination of flavours and textures can elevate the dining experience. When it comes to specific varieties, Williams pears go well with fresh goat and sheep cheeses, as well as hard Asiago cheese. Coscia pears are ideal with scamorza, fresh or semi-seasoned caciotta, and caciocavallo. For blue cheese lovers, Abate pears are the perfect match for varieties like Gorgonzola. Decane pears, with their unique texture and flavour, pair well with Taleggio, spicy and seasoned provolone, and Fiore Sardo. Lastly, Kaiser pears shine when paired with Pecorino, Parmigiano, and Grana Padano.

Apricots and Cream Cheese

For a delightful dessert, consider combining apricots with cream cheese. Fresh apricots, with their slightly tart edge, complement the cheesecake-like topping made from cream cheese, vanilla extract, and icing sugar. This combination is perfect for breakfast, brunch, or dessert. You can also add a crunchy texture by sprinkling demerara sugar on top. To enhance the flavour and presentation, brush the apricots with warmed apricot jam.

Cherries and Cream Cheese

Cherry and cream cheese is a classic combination that can be used in various desserts. From cherry cream cheese pie to cherry cheese cupcakes, the versatility of this pairing is endless. For an elegant touch, serve these treats in parfait or martini glasses. You can even add a graham cracker crust for extra sweetness and texture. If you're feeling adventurous, try using chocolate graham crackers or substituting the cherry filling with other fruits like strawberries, blueberries, or peaches.

Dessert cheese and wine: dessert-friendly cheeses paired with wine

Dessert cheese is a fabulous way to end a meal, and it pairs exceptionally well with wine. Whether you prefer sweet or savoury, there are numerous dessert cheese and wine combinations to delight your palate.

Wine and Cheese: A Match Made in Heaven

When it comes to dessert cheese and wine pairings, the options are endless. Here are some mouth-watering suggestions:

Layer Cake Wines Suggestions:

Shiraz:

Pair Layer Cake's 2015 Shiraz with a Gouda, especially smoked Gouda. This full-bodied wine boasts gorgeous notes of cocoa, berries, and warm spice, making it a perfect match for the sweetness of fruits like grapes, pears, and apples. Dried fruits such as apricots and cherries also complement this pairing beautifully.

Malbec:

For a full-bodied, fruity wine, try Layer Cake's 2016 Malbec. It pairs exceptionally well with an aged Manchego, a sheep's milk cheese from Spain. If you're a fan of aged cheddar, Manchego will be a delightful choice. This combination is best enjoyed with berries and chocolate, especially juicy blackberries and fresh figs. For a crunchy element, add some spicy candied pecans to the mix.

Bourbon Barrel Aged Cabernet Sauvignon:

Indulge in Layer Cake's Bourbon Barrel Aged Cabernet Sauvignon, a rich and jammy wine with added depth and complexity from ageing in charred oak bourbon barrels. This wine is a perfect match for tangy goat cheese, especially when sprinkled with brown sugar to enhance the caramelly notes in the wine. Strawberries, raspberries, and blackberries are the ideal berries to accompany this pairing, and for an extra indulgent touch, add some mini dark chocolate biscotti.

Other Delectable Wine and Cheese Pairings:

Dessert Wines:

When serving dessert cheese, consider pairing it with a dessert wine. Moscato d'Asti, Tokai, late-harvest Gewurztraminer, Sauternes, and Pedro Ximenez sherry are all excellent choices. These sweet wines complement the cheese perfectly, especially when accompanied by fresh or dried fruit and a sweet spread like fig jam or honey.

Blue Cheese and Black Forest Cake:

For a decadent treat, pair a delicate Blue Cheese with a slice of Black Forest Cake. The bold spiciness of the cheese cuts through the richness of the chocolate cake, creating a delightful contrast of flavours.

Cheddar or Gruyere with Lemon Tart:

Take a twist on the classic combination of cheddar and apple pie by pairing a lemon tart with either cheddar or gruyere. The nuttiness of the cheese balances the refreshing sourness of the lemon tart, resulting in a refreshing and satisfying conclusion to your meal.

Aged Goat Gouda and Brownies:

Thin slices of aged goat Gouda, such as L'Amuse Brabander or Black Beauty, pair wonderfully with a warm, fudgy brownie. The slight tanginess of the cheese complements the rich, chocolatey brownie for a unique and indulgent dessert experience.

Triple Crème with Fruit or Nut Pies:

Indulge in the creamy, buttery goodness of a triple crème cheese with a fruit or nut pie. Whether you choose a pecan or pumpkin pie, the combination of creamy cheese and crunchy, sweet pie is a match made in heaven.

Parmigiano Reggiano with Vanilla Ice Cream:

Take a scoop of vanilla ice cream to the next level by crumbling some aged Parmigiano Reggiano into it. The salty, savoury notes of the cheese create a delightful contrast with the sweet, creamy ice cream.

Blue Cheese with Fortified Dessert Wine:

Sip on a glass of sweet sherry, such as Valdespino Pedro Ximenez, while savouring a Stichelton, the raw-milk version of classic English Stilton. The cheese's strong, pungent flavour is beautifully balanced by the sweetness of the sherry.

Aged Gouda with Dark Chocolate:

For a grown-up take on a Butterfinger, pair a very aged, butterscotchy Gouda with dark chocolate. The crunchy protein crystals in the cheese provide a satisfying texture contrast, making this pairing a true indulgence.

Final Thoughts:

Whether you're a sweet or savoury enthusiast, the world of dessert cheese and wine pairings offers something for everyone. From creamy cheeses to crunchy accompaniments, and full-bodied reds to sweet dessert wines, the possibilities are endless. So, grab a bottle of wine, a few delicious cheeses, and get ready to indulge in the ultimate dessert experience!

Dessert recipes with cheese: Gorgonzola Stuffed Pears, Cherry Trifle, and Grilled Apricots with Chevre and Honey

Dessert doesn't always have to be a sugary affair, and cheese is a great way to end a meal. Here are three dessert recipes that incorporate cheese as a key ingredient:

Gorgonzola Stuffed Pears

This elegant dish combines sweet and savoury flavours and is a great way to serve fruit and cheese to your guests. The recipe is simple and only requires a few ingredients. Start by halving and coring three ripe but not too soft pears, such as Concorde or Green Anjou. Drizzle the cut side of the pears with liquid honey and place some sprigs of thyme on top. Bake in the oven at 200 °C or 390 °F for about 10 minutes, or until the flesh is soft. Once the pears are baked, let them cool, then stuff each one with a teaspoon of soft gorgonzola or another blue cheese. Garnish with walnuts and drizzle with more honey if desired. Season with salt and pepper to taste. This dessert can be served warm or cold, and pairs well with white wine.

Cherry Trifle

For a fun twist on a classic dessert, try making a cherry trifle. This recipe is easy to make and can be assembled quickly, especially if you use store-bought ingredients. The key ingredients are chocolate cake, chocolate custard or pudding, cherry pie filling, and vanilla whipped cream. To make it even more indulgent, you can drizzle the cake with cherry liqueur. To assemble the trifle, layer the cake, chocolate pudding, cherry pie filling, and whipped cream in a trifle bowl, repeating the layers. Chill the trifle for at least an hour or overnight before serving. This dessert is sure to impress and is a great centrepiece for any dessert table.

Grilled Apricots with Chevre and Honey

This elegant dessert is deceptively easy to make and only takes about 30 minutes. Start by halving and pitting four apricots. In a small saucepan, gently heat some honey, orange juice, and tarragon, stirring well and setting aside. Brush the apricot halves with vegetable oil and place them cut-side down on a medium-heat grill for 2-3 minutes. Turn the apricots over, reduce the heat, and brush each half with the honey mixture. Top each apricot with soft goat cheese and close the grill lid for a couple of minutes to let the cheese melt. Serve with a drizzle of the remaining honey mixture. This recipe can also be served as an appetizer or salad with some fresh lettuce, arugula, or watercress.

Sweet cheese toppings: honey, balsamic vinegar, and brown sugar

Sweet cheese toppings are a great way to end a meal, with honey, balsamic vinegar, and brown sugar all complementing a range of cheeses.

Honey

Honey is a classic sweet cheese topping and is a great way to add a sweet, sticky, and indulgent element to a cheese course. It is a very versatile topping, pairing well with a range of cheeses, from soft, creamy cheeses to strong, salty blues. A triple creme cheese, such as Brillat Savarin, is a great choice to pair with honey, as is a strong blue cheese like Roquefort. For a more unusual option, try Seadas, a Sardinian-style fried Pecorino with honey.

Balsamic Vinegar

Balsamic vinegar is another sweet and indulgent topping for cheese. It is a strong flavour, so a little goes a long way, but its sharpness and sweetness are a great complement to a good Parmigiano Reggiano. Be sure to use a good-quality, authentic balsamic vinegar from Modena for the best results.

Brown Sugar

For a sweet, caramelly note, brown sugar is a great choice of cheese topping. It can be used in a cream cheese frosting, which is a great addition to a cheese course, especially if served with carrot cake, cinnamon rolls, or chocolate cake. The dark, rich notes of brown sugar complement a range of cheeses, especially a creamy, mild cheese such as Brillat Savarin.

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