Genius Pairings That Prove Cheddar Cheese Belongs in Dessert

We all know cheddar as the life of the savory party — the golden melt in your grilled cheese, the ooey-gooey magic in your mac and cheese. But here’s a plot twist for your taste buds: cheddar isn’t just for the main course. Oh no, it’s totally ready for its dessert debut.

Cheddar is salty, nutty, buttery, tangy — basically a full personality. And when it mingles with sugar, spice, and everything nice, you get a contrast that’s bold, complex, and impossible to stop eating. Sweet and salty are a timeless duo, and cheddar’s rich, fatty, umami-packed profile brings the kind of drama that desserts dream about.

If you’re new to the concept, think of this as your “cheddar starter pack.” A sharp white cheddar makes a statement, while a younger, creamier version is a gentler gateway into the world of cheese-meets-dessert. Either way, it’s time to stop thinking of cheddar as a sidekick and let it steal the show.

Here are seven totally crave-worthy ways to give your sweets a cheddar-fueled upgrade:

1. Over Apple Pie

Let’s start with the OG of sweet-and-savory power couples: apple pie and cheddar cheese. This pairing hails from Vermont, where it’s not just tradition — it’s practically law.

The move? Warm up your slice of pie, then crown it with a room-temp slice of sharp Vermont cheddar. The heat softens the cheese just enough to get cozy with the flaky crust without going full melt-down. For a bolder twist, slide it under the broiler until it bubbles, or bake the cheese right into the crust. Every bite tastes like a crisp fall afternoon in flannel season.

Chocolate Santafereño Photo From: Curious Cuisiniere

2. Melted in Hot Chocolate

Yes, you read that right. Cheese in hot chocolate — and no, this isn’t some foodie fever dream. In Colombia, chocolate santafereño has been warming hearts and mugs for generations. It’s made by whisking chocolate with boiling milk or water, then dropping in chunks of cheese (usually double crema or paipa) that melt into creamy, salty goodness at the bottom of the cup.

Now, let’s cheddar-ify it. Skip the pre-shredded orange stuff and splurge on a mellow, high-quality white cheddar. Whisk up your favorite rich hot chocolate and submerge a cube or two of cheddar into the steaming liquid. Let it sit and slowly melt — the heat softens the cheese, infusing the drink with a buttery richness and faint tang.

If you’re lucky, you’ll get a velvety sip with every stir. But if some cheese settles at the bottom? Even better — those last spoonfuls are pure comfort. The combination of ultra-sweet chocolate and creamy, savory cheddar creates an experience that’s indulgent, complex, and totally unexpected.

If you’re new to cheese-in-dessert territory, this is a perfect entry point. It’s familiar yet adventurous — a little salty, a little sweet, and 100% satisfying.

3. Stuffed into Turnovers

Apple turnovers? Delicious. Apple cheddar turnovers? Game-changing.

Cheddar’s sharpness balances fruit fillings beautifully — not just apples, but also dark berries (blueberries, blackberries, raspberries), or even pears and figs. Mix shredded cheddar right into your filling before baking, or layer it between the fruit and pastry. The result is buttery, flaky, tart, and savory-sweet perfection.

4. With Apple Cider Donuts

Picture this: you’ve been apple picking all day, sipping cider, and now you’re three donuts deep. Everything is tangy, sugary, and cinnamony — delicious, yes, but maybe a little one-note. Enter cheddar.

Melt a thin slice over a hot cider donut (just a quick broil does the trick), or grate a little aged cheddar right on top while it’s still warm. Feeling bold? Add shredded cheddar to the batter itself. The cheese’s saltiness cuts through the sweetness, turning your fall treat into something balanced, complex, and borderline addictive.

5. Layered into S’mores

S’mores are no longer just campfire basics — we’ve added bacon, fruit, peanut butter... so why not cheddar?

Brie and cream cheese have had their moment in fancy s’mores, but cheddar’s the real wildcard. A slice of sharp white cheddar pressed against a toasty marshmallow melts just enough to ooze slightly without taking over. The combo of smoky chocolate, gooey marshmallow, crunchy graham, and a salty cheddar hit? Absolute chaos — the delicious kind.

Cheddar Cheesecake Photo From: From the Larder

6. In Cheesecake

Cheesecake purists, cover your eyes — we’re breaking the rules.

Swap out a portion of your cream cheese (say, one-sixth) for shredded cheddar. This tweak adds a subtle saltiness that makes the dessert pop. Skip any added salt and balance it with a sweet topping like berry compote, caramel drizzle, or maple glaze. The result? A cheesecake that’s rich, creamy, and just edgy enough to impress your foodie friends.

Check out this cheddar cheesecake recipe!

7. In Chocolate Fudge

Chocolate cheddar fudge might sound like something dreamed up in a fever dream — but trust me, it works. Imagine the dense creaminess of fudge meeting the savory depth of cheese. It’s like if a truffle and a cheese log had a very delicious baby.

To make it, mix cheddar cheese spread with cocoa, butter, powdered sugar, and chopped nuts. Roll it into a log, coat in crushed walnuts or pistachios, and chill. The texture? Silky and smooth. The flavor? Sweet, salty, nutty heaven.