3 Ways to Turn the Cheese Course Into Dessert

Updated on 1/21/2014 at 8:30 AM

Each year at the Cheesemonger Invitational in San Francisco, cheese experts battle it out to serve up the best cheesy bite. Of all the cheesed-out offerings, these three sweet ideas captured our attention and won over our palates. And here's the best part — you can easily try out these ideas at home for your own enjoyment or to dazzle guests at a party.

The Redwood Jam Grilled Cheese

The Grilled Cheez Guy came up with this all-new, incredibly delicious way to eat grilled cheese. Start with brioche and add Redwood Hill Farm Camellia camembert-style goat milk cheese and sliced strawberries. Grill that sucker, then top it with Inna Polka Raspberry jam. The fresh, tart berries with the gooey cheese and sweet preserves makes this grilled cheese all grown up.

Perpetual Goatstoppers

Cheesemonger Perry Coulos of Arrowine and Cheese took home the title for America's Best Cheesemonger, and it's no wonder why. He enchanted the cheese lovin' crowd with his Perpetual Goatstoppers, or goat cheese covered grapes. Here's the kicker: he coated them in a mixture of candied ginger and Poppin' Pebbles Burstin' Berry cereal. The goat cheese surprisingly enhances the nostalgia-inducing, fruity flavor of the cereal.

Dark Chocolate With Goat Cheese and Marmalade

The Pasta Shop Berkeley's cheesemonger Rebecca Karr dreamed up this insane combination: a dark chocolate shell filled with Sarabeth's Orange Apricot Marmalade and Vermont Creamery's Creamy Goat Cheese. The cheese, which reminded us of whipped cream cheese, may be your new favorite topper for pies, bagels, and whatever nibble of chocolate you have lying around.