Halloween Cheese and Candy Pairings
This Halloween, trade your candy stash for something a little more grown-up. These cheese and candy pairings bring together sweet, salty, creamy and crunchy for combinations that are anything but ordinary. Find these cheeses in our Specialty Cheese Department, where our Cheesemongers have plenty more delicious tricks and treats up their sleeves!
L'Amuse Gouda
Aged by renowned Dutch affineur Betty Koster in northern Holland, L'Amuse Gouda develops its distinctive roasted hazelnut and burnt caramel flavor while maintaining an exceptionally creamy, velvety texture. Unlike most Goudas, Koster ages these wheels at a slightly warmer temperature, creating a deep, complex flavor with plenty of tyrosine crunch.
This unexpected pairing tastes like dessert in disguise, a sweet trick that reveals layers of caramel and pineapple sweetness. The Gouda's deep caramel notes meet the bright, fruity flavor of pineapple gummy bears for a treat reminiscent of caramelized pineapple or pineapple upside-down cake.
Mimolette
Aged for up to 18 months, this bright orange French cheese is instantly recognizable for its cratered rind and firm, crumbly texture. Originally inspired by Dutch Edam, mimolette develops deep, nutty and butterscotch-like notes as it matures, giving it a rich, caramelized flavor and satisfying crunch.
Mimolette's toasty, sweet undertones make it a surprisingly natural match for candy corn. This curious Halloween pairing brings out the cheese's caramel sweetness and makes the candy's creamy vanilla flavor shine.
Point Reyes Fennel Blue
This special offering from Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese Co. starts with the creamery's beloved Bay Blue, a rustic-style blue with a natural rind, mellow flavor, and a sweet and salty caramel finish. Infused with fennel seeds, Fennel Blue adds a hint of anise-like sweetness that complements the cheese's earthy, umami depth.
Paired with black licorice, the fennel's subtle sweetness shines even brighter, creating a hauntingly good balance of sweet and savory.
LaClare Creamery Lemon Bar Goat Cheese
This playful twist on LaClare's award-winning Original Goat Cheese is infused with bright lemon and a hint of vanilla for a creamy, dessert-like flavor reminiscent of a classic lemon bar.
We've enrobed this cheese in tangy, crunchy NERDS candy, adding bursts of citrusy sweetness and texture in every bite. These little balls of tangy, crunchy, creamy delight are frightfully fun – and once you start, it's very, very hard to stop!
Meister Cappuccino Jack
An award-winning blend of smooth, creamy Monterey Jack infused with espresso and sweet cinnamon, Cappuccino Jack is as rich and comforting as your favorite morning brew. Its subtly sweet, slightly smoky flavor and velvety texture make it a standout addition to any cheese board or dessert spread.
When matched with Hot Tamales candy, this cheese transforms into a sweet-and-spicy sensation that tastes just like a cinnamon coffee with plenty of cream. It's a spirited treat that's sure to delight and surprise.
Ski Queen Gjetost
Ski Queen Gjetost is a traditional Norwegian cheese made from a blend of caramelized cow's and goat's milk. It's known for its smooth, fudge-like texture and sweet, salty flavor, with deep notes of toffee and caramel that create a one-of-a-kind cheese as rich as it is distinctive.
Butterfinger's nutty peanut butter toffee and chocolate layers melt beautifully into this cheese. Its salty caramel richness ties everything together, creating a creamy, crunchy texture and a wickedly delicious finish that ends with a tang.
Selection and availability of products vary by market.