If you’re as cheesecake-obsessed as I am, you know it’s not just about the cake—it’s about what you put on it. Whether it’s a classic New York-style slice or a no-bake beauty, the right topping takes things from “yum” to “YOWZA!” Try tropical flair with #11’s Wintry Mix Fruit Salad or #23’s Grilled Pineapple. Want crunch and richness? #28’s nutty texture and #15’s bold flavor are game-changers. From fruits to liquor, melted chocolate to homemade candy bars, this list is packed with creative ways to top your cheesecake like a pro.
So grab a fork (or a spoon—no judgment), and let’s top that cheesecake like it deserves.
Sweet meets tart in this strawberry glaze—mashed berries, sugar, and cornstarch simmered into a silky, ruby-red crown for cheesecake perfection.
Bright, tangy blueberry compote with lemon zest—quick to make, irresistibly luscious, and the perfect cheesecake crown with every spoonful.
If you can’t choose between luscious, rich cheesecake and your favorite candy bar, combine them! Try this homemade Snickers and crumble for the top of your cheesecake. Win-win!
4. Melted Chocolate
While chocolate chips are wonderful straight out of the bag, there’s something decadent and wonderful about melted chocolate on a perfect slice of plain cheesecake!
5. Brandy Sauce
While traditional and lovely on a figgy Christmas pudding, this incredible brandy sauce would make a righteous topping for a hazelnut or mocha cheesecake.
Chill this sauce for about 3 hours before topping your favorite cheesecake with it.
If you are wondering “what to put on top of cheesecakes?” How about keeping things simple yet delicious? Sprinkle some crushed Oreo cookies on top of the cheesecake! If you want to take it one step further, then you can drizzle some chocolate syrup on top of the crushed Oreos.
Try our recipe for the easy no-bake Oreo Cheesecake here.
8. Honey & Rum Whipped Cream
Boozy, fluffy bliss—this honey and rum whipped cream whirls your cheesecake into next-level indulgence, way beyond anything store-bought.
With only three ingredients, this buttery caramel sauce is unparalleled. You won’t need a candy thermometer but you do need to watch it carefully to make sure the sugar doesn’t burn and that you are ready with a whisk. It will thicken as it cools into a delightful homemade cheesecake topping.
10. Matcha Powder
Earthy meets elegant—dust your cheesecake with matcha powder and powdered sugar for a subtly bitter, nutty twist that elevates every bite.
A refreshing twist on a fruit salad, this Winter Wonderland Fruit Salad features a delicate blend of pale, wintry fruits like white dragon fruit, golden kiwi, banana, and apple. It’s light, crisp, and perfect for adding a bit of seasonal charm and balance to your rich cheesecake.
12. Lemon Curd
Top your cheesecake with bright, zingy lemon curd for rave-worthy flavor! Add cold butter last to create a silky, thick curd that perfectly contrasts the creamy cheesecake and salty-sweet graham cracker crust. A delicious blend of textures and tastes!
This is a recipe I use often for everything from rice pudding parfaits to overnight oats, but it’s pure classic revelry on a slice of decadent cheesecake. If you’re a strawberry fan like I am, you will love this. A gentle simmer does all the work.
14. Amaretto Cherry
Amaretto and cherries are a match made in dessert heaven! The bold, nutty flavor of Amaretto soaks into the juicy cherries, adding a warm, aromatic (and alcohol) kick. Paired with a silky cream cheese filling of your favorite cheesecake, this sweet treat becomes an indulgent bite of luxury.
15. Hot Fudge Sauce
Drizzle that warm, glossy, unapologetically rich fudge over your cheesecake and suddenly—bam—you’re not just eating dessert, you’re making statements.
It’s decadent. It’s dramatic. And yep, it looks expensive… but joke’s on them—it’s not.
Double the batch. Keep it in the fridge. Because when the chocolate cravings hit (and they will), you’ll want to be the badass who’s already got hot fudge locked and loaded.
16. Peach Compote
Think: juicy, sun-kissed peaches doing a slow dance with rich, creamy cheesecake. It’s fresh meets indulgent, light meets luscious—like a summer fling, but on a fork. No culinary gymnastics required. Just slice, swoon, and serve. It looks fancy. It tastes phenomenal. And it takes almost zero effort.
17. Chocolate Mousse
Three ingredients and three steps, this highly reviewed chocolate mousse is going into your permanent rotation of “things I love about cheesecake.”
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I love peanut butter flavor in and around both savory and sweet, and this glaze makes pb magic happen on every cheesecake slice you can imagine.
19. Sauteéd Apples
It’s hard to beat Sauteéd Apples as a stand-alone snack or as an ingredient in a dessert like a pie or cheesecake. Fresh apples stirred and softened in butter are combined with cinnamon, nutmeg, and sugar.
Sauteéd Apples are the ideal sweet-and-savory toppings for desserts because of their unique flavor profile.
Lemon juice gives this thick raspberry sauce a subtle zing that makes it perfect for drizzling over sweets. Making a compote doesn’t always need using a lot of sugar. Instead, use pure maple syrup to bring out a subtle sweetness without dominating the fruit’s natural taste.
Crunchy and lively with sugary-cinnamon sweetness, crush these yummies and add to the top of your favorite sturdy cheesecake.
In the summer, grilling fruit, especially pineapple, is one of the most enjoyable features of the season! Mix butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon together, then grill fresh pineapple rings on an outdoor or indoor grill pan. So good.
24. Whipped Cream
Making this homemade Whipped Cream requires only heavy cream, vanilla, and powdered sugar. Using heavy cream ensures that your whipped cream will maintain its shape and whip up with ease. Add a dollop to any cheesecake slice, or use a piping bag to do wonders for the presentation!
25. Cinnamon & Sugar
A jar of cinnamon sugar is an absolute necessity for any home cook’s pantry. Everything tastes better with a bit of cinnamon sugar on it!
A sprinkling of cinnamon sugar over popcorn, doughnuts, and of course, a smooth cheesecake makes for a mouthwatering combo.
I remember the first time i had a Twix, and it’s been one of my faves ever since. Crisp cookie, caramel and milk chocolate. And what a great cheesecake topping. Use this recipe to make your own Twix bars and cut into pieces to pile them high.
27. Marshmallows
You may not think of marshmallows as a cheesecake “topping,” but they deserve a spot on our list! The light, pillowy marshmallows will give a nice contrast to the thick, dense cake.
Use up whatever marshies you have left with our marshmallow recipes,
28. Toasted Pistachios
Pistachios are the unsung hero of the nut world. I find them a pain to unshell myself because my hand strength isn’t what it used to be, so I indulge in the shell-free bags when I can. They are delicious when crushed coarsely and dusted onto slices of cheesecake.
29. Homemade Bing Cherry Pie Filling
This is just what you need to make a picture-perfect cheesecake: cherries on top! Cherry Pie Filling is matched with the cheesecake’s sweetness to create a delicious flavor fusion that’s out of this world!
It is possible to use frozen pitted cherries if you aren’t a cherry pitter or if fresh cherries aren’t in season at the time.
30. Caramel Shards
Say what now? Sounds like a spiky proposition, but this is a simple way to give your cheesecake a fashion statement that’s perfectly tasty.
If you’ve been to the Cheesecake Factory, you’ve probably tried theirs, but here’s your chance to make your own PB cups and elevate that cheesecake into wow-town.
32. Chocolate Curls
Simply shave your best-loved chocolate bar and add to the top of your cheesecake for a luscious and eye-catching garnish! You may use any sort of chocolate, from white to dark to a combination. Grab a bar of ruby chocolate to really grab attention.
33. Toasted Coconut
Toasting unsweetened coconut makes the flavor even more rich and deep, so you’ll end up with a rocket launch of coconut flavor, especially if you’re making coconut cheesecake. Add it to the top of our No Bake Lime Cheesecake with Gingersnap Crust for a total tropical vibe.
The bottom line
From toasted coconut’s crunch to the snap of caramel shards, this roundup covers 33 ways to dress up cheesecake. Whether layering on homemade cherry pie filling, spooning over blueberry compote, or simply drizzling on melted chocolate, there’s a topping for every craving—sweet, tangy, fruity, or decadently indulgent.
Easy Cheesecake Topping Ideas
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Ingredients
- Strawberry Cheesecake Glaze
- Blueberry Compote
- Homemade Snickers Bars
- Melted Chocolate
- Brandy Sauce
- Crushed Oreos
- Praline Sauce
- Honey & Rum Whipped Cream
- Caramel Sauce
- Matcha Powder
- Wintry Mix Fruit Salad
- Lemon Curd
- Strawberry Compote
- Amaretto Cherries
- Hot Fudge Sauce
- Peach Compote
- Chocolate Mousse
- Peanut Butter Glaze
- Sauteéd Apples
- Raspberry Compote
- Cinnamon Toast Pretzels
- Homemade Sour Cream
- Grilled Pineapple Rings
- Whipped Cream
- Cinnamon & Sugar
- Homemade Twix Bars
- Marshmallows
- Toasted Pistachio
- Cherry Pie Filling
- Caramel Shards
- Homemade Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups
- Chocolate Curls
- Toasted Coconut
Instructions
- Skim through our Cheesecake Toppings list.
- Select the recipe you’re looking for.
- Prep the ingredients as instructed.
- Spill your thoughts on our Facebook page!
WOW! I have been thinking about making cheesecake , but I usually make it during the Fall season. I’m glad I came to your page and found these wonderful ideas to treat myself and my family.
@tisonlyme143
wonderful.colorful and tasty toppings