When we think of cheese pairings, most of us tend to think of jams, meats, nuts, and other savory accoutrements. But since it’s October and the season of all things sweet, we’re here to teach you how to build the perfect Halloween cheese plate for your party guests.

Many people don’t know that cheese and chocolate pair surprisingly well together. The trick (or treat!) is to find complimentary flavors. Luckily, you don’t have to guess what goes together because The Marketplace Eatery is here to guide you through.

Here are a few of our favorites:

 

Gouda and Coffee Chocolates

Beemster X-O pairs particularly well with Chocolove Coffee Crunch, Oliviero Caffé, or chocolate covered espresso beans. The bitter sweetness of the chocolate and coffee help to bring out the rich caramel and nutty flavors of the cheese.

 

Goat Cheese and Milk Chocolate

Goat cheese, whether you prefer hard or soft, is the perfect complement to creamy and mild milk chocolate. We like Lindt Milk Chocolate, but those mini Hershey bars from the kids’ candy stash will do just fine!

 

Cheddar Cheese and Chocolate with Nuts

The sharper the cheddar, the better, right? The sweet and nutty flavors of this chocolate collide in the best way with a nice sharp cheddar. Try Perugina Dark Chocolate with Almonds and DeMille Sharp White Cheddar.

 

Brie and Fruit Chocolates

Brie and fruit are a classic pairing that you can’t go wrong with, but the introduction of chocolate bumps this pairing from classic to epic. A nice soft brie or salty brie-style cheese (like Saint Angel Triple Crème) with Chocobloc’s Orange Chocolate bar or Bissinger’s Caramelized Blood Orange is a must try.

 

Blue Cheese and Dark Chocolate

Salty, bitter, and just a little bit sweet- Try Saint Agur blue and Ghirardelli Midnight Reverie for the ultimate decadence.

 

Spicy Cheese and Milk Chocolate

If you’re looking to give your taste buds a real shock this Halloween, try Deer Creek Rattlesnake (made with Habanero peppers and Tequila) or Habanero Gouda with a silky milk chocolate. The softness of the chocolate offsets the heat of the cheese creating the perfect union of good and evil on your tongue.

 

And of course, no seasonally themed cheese plate is complete without the best fruits of the season. Decorate your mysteriously delicious plate with items like pumpkin seeds, persimmons, grapes, figs, and pomegranate seeds.

 

Try these suggested pairings or experiment with a few of your own! (Just don’t sneak too much candy from the kids!)