20 Delectable Cheesecake Toppings You Need To Try

Cheesecake is one of the most deliciously indulgent desserts and is known worldwide for being so.

It is also an incredibly versatile sweet treat that can go with pretty much any kind of topping.

This makes it a prime contender for experimentation in the kitchen, allowing you to let your imagination run wild as you play with a range of toppings to create the ultimate cheesecake to suit your personal tastes. 

If you’re not sure where to start when it comes to choosing your own cheesecake toppings, keep reading as we are going to be looking at 20 particular topping choices that work particularly well with cheesecake.

1. Oreo Cookies

Oreos are one of the most popular cookies on the market.

Not only are they delicious by themselves, but they are a perfect ingredient for various different kinds of dessert (see also ‘35 Of The Most Incredible And Easiest Desserts You Can Make At Home‘) such as milkshakes, ice cream and- of course- cheesecakes!

Oreos are a super versatile choice when it comes to a cheesecake topping, as there are various ways that you can use them, such as by crushing them up or by using mini Oreos and spreading them on the top.

You can also use them to make the crust as well as the topping.

2. Fresh Fruit

If it is a fruitier taste that you are after, consider some fresh fruit (see also ‘33 Fruit Desserts‘) or some fruit compote. There is a huge variety of choice, from strawberries to raspberries to blueberries to peaches or even bananas (see also ’27 Ripe Banana Recipes You’ll Love‘).

The sweet tanginess of fresh fruit contrasts well with the creaminess of the cheesecake mixture.

3. Fruit Compote

If fresh fruit is a bit too tart for your tastes, compote is also a good choice.

The great thing about fruit compotes is that not only do they have a more subtle flavor than fresh fruit, they are also relatively easy to make, only needing a few ingredients.

The thick nature of compotes, sauces and preserves make them a deliciously fruity and option for a cheesecake topping.

4. Candy Bars

Candy bars can also add some variety to a standard cheesecake.

Simply choose your favorite kind of candy bar and either crush it up and sprinkle it on as a topping, or take small parts of it and decorate the top of the cheesecake with it.

Some standout choices include KitKat, Butterfingers or Hershey’s chocolate. 

Another great choice of candy to use for a cheesecake topping is Reese’s Peanut Butter cups, but you don’t have to stop at chocolate.

Hard candy is also an option, such as a chopped up and crushed candy cane, which could make for an excellent Christmas themed cheesecake (see also ‘35 Fun And Easy Christmas-Themed Desserts‘).

5. Health Food Bars

If you like the above candy bar idea but aren’t too keen on the amount of extra calories that candy will add to your cheesecake, you can always opt for crumbling up a health bar and using it as a topping instead. 

Health food bars tend to be made of ingredients such as nuts- like almonds or peanuts- toffee and milk chocolate, all of which work perfectly with cheesecake.

6. Melted Chocolate

There is no way that we could get through this list without mentioning some kind of chocolate sauce!

Melted chocolate is perfect if you are looking for a more decadently thick cheesecake topping, but you can always opt for chocolate syrup or shavings if you want something a little less intense in terms of the chocolate flavor. 

All you need to do is melt some chocolate chips and put the mixture into a piping bag before generously adding it to the top of your cheesecake.

7. Cherry Pie Filling

Who says that pie filling is for pies alone? Pie filling can make for a delicious topping for cheesecake, and cherry pie filling is a particularly delicious choice. 

This is another option that is super easy to make- only needing cherries, lemon juice and sugar which is stirred in a saucepan over medium heat- but you can also opt for a store bought cherry pie filling if that is easier for you in the long run.

8. Caramel

For those with a very sweet tooth, caramel could be the perfect topping.

This somewhat underutilized topping is another that can easily be made from scratch- by meting and whisking sugar on a medium to high heat and mixing it up with some cream and butter-, but you can also find squeezy caramel readily available in stores.

The combination of cream cheese with the sweet and decadent sugar within the caramel is sure to be tantalizing for your taste buds!

9. Peanut Butter

If peanut butter is a taste that you prefer, then you can make your own peanut butter sauce that you can drizzle on the top of your cheesecake for a nuttier taste.

To make your own peanut butter sauce, all you need to do is mix some peanut butter with corn syrup or honey for an extra dash of sweetness.

Pop the mixture into the microwave for around 30 seconds, stir it up and pour it over your cheesecake for a classic peanut butter taste.

10. Hot Fudge Sauce

Fans of hot fudge ice cream sundaes will be pleased to know that there is more that you can do with the delectable dessert sauce that is hot fudge.

As well as on ice cream, hot fudge can also be a tasty accompaniment to cheesecake when drizzled over the top. 

Much like some of the other toppings that we have mentioned, hot fudge is also relatively easy to make from scratch due to only needing three ingredients: chocolate chips, unsalted butter and evaporated milk or sweetened and condensed milk (see also ‘33 Simple Condensed Milk Desserts‘).

11. Whipped Cream

If you’re a sucker for whipped cream, it can also make for a deliciously sweet topping. Whilst whipped cream is pretty simple to make, you can also use store bought whipped cream if it is easier for you.

 When making your own whipped cream, whip around eight ounces of heavy cream and mix it with two tablespoons of powdered sugar.

Keep whisking until you achieve that fluffy and light texture that whipped cream is known for. Scoop a dollop of it onto your cheesecake and voilà!

12. Sour Cream

For something that is a little less sweet, sour cream is also an option.

Sour cream is perfect for those whose sweet tooth might not be that strong, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t add some natural sweetness by topping it off with some fruit. 

Sour cream is another simple recipe that can be made easily if you would rather go for a homemade topping rather than a store bought one. All you need to make it is some heavy cream, milk and distilled vinegar.

13. Fried Apples

We touched on fresh fruit as a cheesecake topping earlier, but if you are looking for something a little more exciting, you can always try a different take on fruit for a topping, such as fried apples. 

You might think that fried apples are relegated to pies, but they also make for a delicious topping that can completely change the flavor and texture of your cheesecake whilst still retaining that creaminess.

14. Cinnamon 

Cinnamon is another ingredient that isn’t quite as rich and sweet as some other choices on this list, making it a great choice for those who aren’t as fond of massively sweet desserts (check out our favorite Asian desserts). 

There are various ways that you can use cinnamon in cheesecake too, as well as for the topping.

You can also opt to include some cinnamon into the crust of the dessert to create a cinnamon sugar taste explosion!

15. Chocolate And Strawberries

Is there anything more decadent than chocolate covered strawberries? The only thing that comes close to it is cheesecake itself, so for a truly luxurious dessert experience, try combining them together. 

Soften up some fresh strawberries (see also our favorite strawberry desserts) by drenching them in balsamic vinegar for around half an hour (or liquor if you so choose) and then dip them into melted chocolate.

Place them into the refrigerator until the chocolate has hardened, then cut them up and place them on your cheesecake for a gorgeous take on the classic cheesecake.

16. Butterscotch

A combination of butter and brown sugar- with some other ingredients in various recipes including salt, corn syrup, vanilla or cream- butterscotch has become a staple in American confectionary.

Butterscotch makes for a delicious topping, whether you decide to use pieces of butterscotch hard candy or a simple butterscotch sauce.

However you choose to use it, you are sure to get a classical, sweet taste with a butterscotch cheesecake topping.

17. Toasted Coconut

For an option that isn’t quite as sweet, but a little more exotic, try some toasted coconut. 

All you need to do to toast coconut flakes is heat them up in a large skillet on a medium low heat until lightly brown. Sprinkle the flakes onto your cheesecake and there you have it!

18. Green Tea Matcha

Matcha- or powdered green tea- originates from Eastern Asia (see also ‘25 Delicious Traditional Korean Desserts To Try Right Now‘) and has become an increasingly popular flavor over the years thanks to its slightly bitter and smoky flavor.

This makes it a great ingredient to be used for a cheesecake topping, as this bitterness contrasts beautifully with the sweetness of the cream cheese mixture.

19. Banoffee

The combination of banana (see also ‘A Bunch of Banana-Flavored Desserts‘) and toffee can be a splendid topping for a cheesecake, such as by creating a banoffee sauce and generously pouring it on top. 

You could also incorporate the flavors in different ways, such as by adding fresh, sliced bananas or mixing in some banana into the cream cheese mixture itself.

20. Lemon Curd

If you are looking for a flavor that is more tangy, lemon curd could be the cheesecake topping for you. Sweet, but not overwhelmingly so, this is a topping that is as refreshing as it is tasty. 

Lemon curd (see also ‘23 Simple Lemon Curd Desserts You Need To Try!‘) is also very simple to make, as you will only need butter, salt, egg yolks, sugar and fresh lemon.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is The Difference Between New York Cheesecake And Regular Cheesecake?

The well known New York cheesecake is made with a lot more cream cheese in comparison to the other ingredients within it.

These cheesecakes also rely purely on heavy cream in order to help adjust the cheesecake batter consistency. 

Traditional cheesecakes are lighter in texture and are made with a balance of sugar, eggs and cream cheese. 

Which Cream Cheese Is Best For Cheesecakes?

Some of the best options of cream cheese for a cheesecake include mascarpone and ricotta, but you can also use Greek yogurt and even cottage cheese (see also ‘45 Of The Best Cottage Cheese Recipes‘).