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Wisconsin Specialty Cheese Updates Dessert Menus

The dessert course is often the most eagerly anticipated course of any meal. It’s also a course that benefits greatly from a seasonal update. Introduce new flavors and textures to your dessert menu with the help of Wisconsin specialty cheeses and seasonal ingredients, which reflect several of today’s hottest dessert trends.

Comfortable Classics

Some classic and very traditional desserts will forever be popular. However, chefs often look for new flavors, novel ingredients and interesting presentation ideas to update these classics. Tiramisu, fondue, shortcake and even apple pie benefit from a new look and flavor that features Wisconsin cheese.

Give strawberry shortcake and tiramisu a fluffy texture by adding creamy Wisconsin Mascarpone cheese to the filling. Dip fresh seasonal fruit into rich, chocolate fondue made with Mascarpone cheese. Update apple pie by mixing grated Cheddar cheese into the pastry crust or by topping with Cheddar cheese streusel. Try classic cheesecake made with Wisconsin Ricotta and cream cheese for a light, airy texture. Or, mix shredded Colby cheese into an old fashioned apple crisp.

Slightly Sweet

Desserts today have moved from sticky-sweet, sugar-loaded treats to less saccharine, sometimes even savory, flavors. Chefs recognize that sugar should compliment the dessert, but not overpower other flavors. Try pairing the natural sweetness of fresh fruits with more savory items such as Wisconsin Brie, Blue or Mascarpone cheese. Top a wedge of Brie with a seasonal fruit compote made from fresh peaches or berries. Drizzle Blue Cheese with a bit of honey and serve along side nut bread. Or, dress fresh fruit and berries with a sweet sauce made from dessert wine, such as Gewürztraminer, and top with Mascarpone cheese.

Baked Perfection

Light and airy or dense and creamy, baked goods are a sure bet for a successful dessert course. Look to new frostings, surprise fillings and unexpected ingredients to add innovative flavors and textures to favorite cake recipes.

Complement a light angel food cake or balance out a dense chocolate cake with a fluffy whipped Mascarpone cheese frosting, flavored with chocolate and mint. Mix shredded Gouda cheese into the batter for a pineapple upside down cake. Or, fill cupcakes with a surprise cream cheese or Mascarpone filling.

Cold and Creamy

Nothing beats the summer heat like an ice cold, creamy dessert. Ice cream, sorbet, gelato and mousse ─ all popular items for summer dessert menus ─ boast unique flavors and textures when made with Wisconsin cheese.

Wisconsin Whole Milk Ricotta and Mascarpone cheese give Gelato a rich, creamy texture ─ add flavor by mixing in rum, grappa or dried fruit. Create a smooth, creamy sorbet with Wisconsin Mascarpone cheese flavored with fruit juice, liqueur or cocoa. For an unusual palate pleaser, serve cheese-flavored ice cream. Wisconsin Cheddar cheese ice cream pairs perfectly with apple pie, while Blue Cheese ice cream is delicious served with a warm pear or peach tart.

To learn more about Wisconsin specialty cheeses and to access the Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board's recipe database and foodservice marketing tools, visit www.foodservice.Wisdairy.com.