Cheese & Candy Pairings

This year for one of the nights of Hanukkah, we tried something a little different – cheese and candy pairings. Suggestions for these pairings are everywhere on social media right around Halloween, for people who are looking for something to do with all of those candy bars, I guess.

I consulted several people’s platters and their pairing recommendations and then hit the cheese counter. A very helpful cheesemonger helped me find a half dozen cheeses.  From there, a quick trip to the drug store to get the corresponding candies. Our family loves tastings so I anticipated that pairings would be a natural extension of that. My son started off willing but skeptical. However, once he got to his second pairing, Eureka! He declared that one was awesome.

After tasting each couple, my daughter experimented with duos that she thought might be even better together. Indeed, she found some nice matches. My husband definitely developed a preference for the creamier cheeses. I liked the sharper ones – they made the candy seem saltier somehow.

If you are wondering if it makes any difference what cheese one pairs with what candy, it absolutely does!  We confirmed this by trial and error.  Some pairings were outright unpleasant.

Overall, a very fun experience I highly recommend!

Pairings

-        Manchego and Reese’s peanut butter cups

-        Honey Goat Gouda and Twix

-        Aged Gouda and Caramel Popcorn (everybody liked this one)

-        Mascarpone and Sour Patch Kids

-        Sharp Cheddar and Butterfingers

-        Gruyere and Snickers

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Thanks for reading!

Eve