How To Pair Cheese & Chocolate

I’m a tiny bit obsessed with cheese, and it’s fair to say I feel the same about chocolate, too! So, when I saw someone on my Instagram feed pairing different cheeses with different candies, it sparked my curiosity. So, what are the best cheese and chocolate pairings?

Try these combinations:

Goats cheese & Terry’s Chocolate Orange
Gouda & caramel chocolate
Cheddar & milk chocolate
Manchego & hazelnut chocolate
Brie & strawberry truffles
Blue cheese & dark chocolate
Camembert & white chocolate

Read on to learn more about our favourite cheese and chocolate pairings, as well as tips for trying different combinations at home!

Our Favourite Cheese & Chocolate Pairings

If you want to pair chocolate and cheese together, it’s important to put some thought into the combinations you try. You need to consider textures, strength, quantities, and how the flavours balance with one another. But, don’t worry, we’ve done the hard work for you! Find our top seven chocolate and cheese pairings below!

Goats Cheese & Terry’s Chocolate Orange

Goats cheese and something sweet and fruity always works a charm (try our Stuffed Dates With Goats Cheese – just delicious!), so a chocolate orange was the natural pairing. The natural tang of the goats cheese gets enhanced with the tangy orange flavour in the chocolate, creating a sweet-and-sour flavour that works brilliantly together.

Plus, the orange helps to cut through the rich, creamy notes of the goats cheese, which is perfect if you’re using the super creamy variety! Learn more about goats cheese in one of our recent blogs.

Learn more about goats cheese in our recent blog.

Gouda & Caramel Chocolate (Or Caramac)

Gouda, especially aged Gouda, has caramel-like flavours, a creamy texture, and a slightly nutty finish. This makes it an ideal match for the buttery, sweet caramel notes in Caramac or caramel chocolate.

The mild saltiness in the cheese highlights the chocolate’s richness, and the cheese’s smooth texture complements the melting caramel for a luxurious mouthfeel. This pairing is especially satisfying for those who enjoy rich, complex, dessert-like combinations with a savoury edge.

Cheddar & Milk chocolate

Two classics in their own right – cheddar cheese and milk chocolate. Both are the perfect ‘middle ground’ for people who love flavour, but don’t like something overly bitter, which is why they work so well together! Cheddar’s bold, slightly nutty profile cuts through the chocolate’s creamy richness, while the chocolate softens the cheese’s sharpness, enhancing both flavours without either becoming too intense.

The texture of Cheddar, which ranges from creamy to crumbly, also pairs well with the smoothness of milk chocolate (which must be Cadburys by the way!), creating an experience that’s rich yet not overwhelming.

Manchego & Hazelnut Chocolate

Manchego, believe it or not, has a surprisingly nutty flavour, and can very much be compared to the flavour profile of hazelnut chocolate. Because of this, these flavours amplify each other; the hazelnut chocolate brings out the cheese’s warm, nutty undertones, while Manchego’s slight saltiness and creamy finish elevate the chocolate’s sweetness and complexity.

We also love that the textures also play off one another – Manchego’s firm, slightly granular texture is so satisfying alongside the crunchy nutty pieces in the chocolate!

Brie & Strawberry Truffles

Brie’s creamy, buttery texture and mild tang make it the perfect partner for strawberry-flavoured chocolate. Whilst strawberry truffles or buttons can sometimes taste overly sweet on their own (they’re often the last in the Quality Streets tin at our house!), the subtle savoury profile and richness of Brie can help to balance this sweetness.

The combination transforms both elements, with the cheese adding sophistication to the chocolate, creating a dessert-like experience that’s smooth and refined. Plus, the pinky hue of strawberry truffles look gorgeous next to a creamy wheel of brie!

Blue Cheese & Dark Chocolate

This is certainly the most savoury of the cheese and chocolate combinations in this blog, and a bold pairing that may surprise you! Blue cheese has a strong, intense flavour with a bit of saltiness that complements the rich bitterness of dark chocolate. The chocolate softens the pungency of the cheese, while the cheese brings out subtle fruit or coffee notes in the chocolate, creating a balanced and intriguing flavour profile.

Camembert & White Chocolate

Camembert is known for its creamy texture and mild, earthy flavour, which is often complemented with sweet toppings like fruit jams or chutneys once melted in the oven. These sweet additions balance the cheese’s gentle funkiness, adding a layer of richness and depth.

White chocolate brings a similar sweetness, with a creamy, melt-in-your-mouth texture that pairs beautifully with Camembert. The chocolate’s sweetness heightens the cheese’s subtle flavours, creating a luxurious, dessert-like experience that’s indulgent and smooth.

Cheese & Chocolate Pairing Tips

Start with Small Portions: Begin with a little of each to see how the flavours blend. Since both cheese and chocolate are rich, a small amount can go a long way for that perfect bite!
Match Textures: When possible, pair creamy cheeses with creamy chocolates and firmer cheeses with chocolates that have a bit of texture (like hazelnut or caramel-filled varieties). This way, you enhance both the mouthfeel and flavour of the pairing.
Experiment with Intensities: Bold cheeses like blue cheese are best with similarly intense chocolates, like dark chocolate, while mild cheeses like Brie work well with sweeter chocolates, such as white or milk chocolate (wine and cheese pairings follow the same principals!).
Serve at Room Temperature: Allow the cheese and chocolate to come to room temperature before serving. That way, you actually taste more of the subtle cheese and choc flavours, compared to when its straight out of the fridge.
Taste from Mild to Bold: If you’re doing an at-home cheese & choc tasting evening, start with milder combinations (like Brie and strawberry chocolate) and work your way up to bolder flavours (like blue cheese and dark chocolate). This prevents stronger flavours from overwhelming the palate too early, allowing you to taste each and every combination properly.

All Things Cheese With Savery Grazing

If you’re looking for more delicious things to pair with cheese, why not explore more of our blog? Or, for more foodie inspiration, follow us on Instagram, Facebook, or Pinterest.

And next time you build a cheese board, don’t forget to add a touch of your favourite chocolate – because great cheese deserves a little indulgence!

Jasmine Savery

Founder & Director

Hi! I'm Jasmine, and I launched Savery Grazing in 2022. I’ve always had a passion for food, with a particular love for how social it can be. Follow along as I share my favourite tips, tricks, and delicious recipes with you.