Seasoned, salted, or simply toasted, nuts are a classic addition to any cheese plate—but why stop there? A smear of rich, flavorful nut butter paired with cheese makes one deliciously decadent bite.

But not all wedges or wheels play nice with the spreads. “I would recommend avoiding blues or anything too funky,” advises Julia Hallman, cheesemonger and buyer at Formaggio Kitchen in Cambridge, Mass. Instead, choose varieties that feature lactic tang (fresh chèvre), pronounced sharpness (classic cheddar), or nuanced nuttiness (young manchego). These cheeses bring out the best qualities in nut butter: sweet, creamy, and even savory notes.

Hallman considers texture, too. Work it to your advantage—pair a chunkier almond butter with a crystallized aged gouda for complementary consistencies, she says.

For added textural contrast, serve cheese and nut butter with apple or pear slices. The fruit also imparts a subtle acidity that keeps the combination from becoming too heavy—think of a delicate melody weaving through a dense two-part harmony. An update on the traditional PB&J formula deserves a standing ovation: bright fruit, rich cheese, and earthy nuts in perfect symphonic balance.

Peanut Butters

Fans of the most common nut butter around, rejoice: Your favorite nostalgic treat is all grown up. While some brands fall on the sweet side of the taste spectrum, many others eschew added sugar, focusing instead on pure peanut flavor. “A slice of cheddar with a pronounced bite helps to break through the rich mouthfeel of peanut butter,” explains Will Sissle, a cheesemonger at the new Whole Foods Market in Boston’s South End. “Kind of [like] how some people add a slice of cheddar on top of apple pie.”

Cashew Butters

Meaty, savory cashew butter is a break from the norm. A dry, velvety texture and bold umami notes make it a fantastic match with complex, earthy cheeses.

Almond Butters

Sweeter, milkier, and more delicate than other nuts, Marcona almonds have long been paired with nutty cheeses like manchego, drawing out toasty flavors of caramel, butterscotch, and even coconut. Certain almond butters can also impart a subtle floral perfume, which pairs nicely with lightly fruity or herbal cheese varieties.

Walnut Butters

Perhaps the most decadent of all, walnut butter has a slightly tannic quality that helps to temper its intense, buttery softness. Paired with rustic or tangy goat’s milk cheese, it’s a combination much greater than the sum of its parts.

Chocolate Nut Butters

For a pairing that’s all about sweetness, look to nut butters laced with cocoa. Tried-and-true hazelnut-chocolate spreads such as Nutella and other chocolatenut combos stand up against even the boldest iterations of aged gouda and Edam. Together they conjure bourbon-spiked bread pudding, salted caramel, or sticky pecan pie.

Spiced Nut Butters

Ready to take your pairing prowess to the next level? A variety of nut butters featuring the piquant notes of ginger, cinnamon, black pepper, and cloves make a playful bite alongside especially fruity and creamy cheeses.

This article originally appeared in our 2015 Cheese+ ultimate Pairings issue. If you’d like to see all 26 amazing cheese pairings, purchase a copy today!

Lauren Kouffman

Photographer Evi Abeler

Evi Abeler is a food and still life photographer based in New York City. She helps art directors, cookbook authors and designers to communicate the love, passion and thought that goes into every project and creates modern, yet classic images. Her clients in advertising, publishing, hospitality and retail include Food & Wine Magazine (which named her Digital Food Award Winner), Harper Collins Publishing and Whole Foods Markets.

Stylist Laura Knoop

Laura Knoop is a New York City-based food stylist with a studio in Harlem.