There’s no denying that cheesecake is one of the best desserts out there for sure! The flavor combinations are endless and there is no such thing as a slice that is too big.
Cheesecake is one of the most decadent desserts you can enjoy. Many of us fell in love with cheesecake after enjoying it at Cheesecake Factory, but it’s not difficult to make cheesecake at home, especially if you use tools like your Instant Pot. And there are so many different topping ideas.
This delicious dessert consists of a crunchy base layer consisting of flattened gram crackers or cookies, covered with a thick velvety layer of cream cheese filling and topped with a variety of toppings from fresh fruit to mouth-watering caramel and more.
Cheesecake is a delicious and versatile dessert that has won the hearts of many people across the globe. With its smooth, creamy texture and rich flavor, it’s no wonder that many can’t resist indulging in this sweet treat. Yet, one of the great things about cheesecake is its ability to adapt and provide an entirely different experience with the simple addition of various toppings.
From fresh fruit to chocolatey delights, the topping choices for cheesecakes are seemingly endless. By incorporating these elements, one can enhance the dessert’s depth and give a new twist to the classic flavor profile.
There are far more toppings out there to try than the grocery store will have to offer which means you’re missing out on so many amazing flavor combinations!
So we’ve compiled a list of our favorite cheesecake toppings to inspire your next bake. Whether you’ve got a special occasion or you’re just craving something sweet, there’ll be something for you in this list. Keep reading to find out!
Strawberry Glaze
We just had to kick things off with the ultimate classic topping: strawberry glaze. The sweet and sticky strawberry gel compliments the velvety vanilla cream cheese filling perfectly!
It’s super easy to make, too. All you need is a cup of crushed strawberries, three or four tablespoons of cornstarch, some sugar and a squeeze of lemon, and you’re good to go.
You could even mix in some strawberry slices for added texture or leave it smooth – either way it’s delicious!
Raspberry Coulis
Next up, coming in at a very close second to strawberry is raspberry coulis. Similarly to a strawberry glaze, making a raspberry coulis only requires a few ingredients and is simple enough to make.
All you need to do is heat some raspberries mixed with sugar in a pan until combined – that’s it! Again you could mix in some whole raspberries for added texture or maybe even some raspberry liquor for an extra punch of flavor.
We love this topping; the slight sharpness of the raspberries will balance out the sweet creamy cheese filling beautifully.
Blueberry Compote
If you don’t want something refreshing and not too sweet, blueberry compote is where it’s at. Topping your cheesecake with a dollop of chunky blueberry compote will deliver the perfect balance of sweet and sharp.
If you are one of those people who love to taste the cream cheese filling more than the topping, you could try swirling the blueberry compote into the cream cheese to get a hint of blueberry without taking anything away from the cream cheese.
Sweet Matcha
Matcha cheesecake is becoming increasingly popular. Matcha is a Japanese green tea powder, popularly used around the world in drinks primarily but sometimes in deserts too.
Depending on if you add any sugar or other sweeteners to it, Matcha can taste a little savory but combined with the sweetness of the filling this pairing is delicious!
You could try adding some vanilla to the mix when making it for a sweeter version or add some white chocolate sauce and shavings.
Cookie Crumble
Let’s face it, cookies make everything better so, next time you make a cheesecake, try crumbling some of your favorite cookies on top or, you could even use them for the base!
We like to use either Oreo cookies or chocolate chip with a nice dollop of cream on top.
The crunch from the cookies will add some welcome crunch to the smooth cream cheese filling.
If this sounds a bit dry to you, try drizzling some chocolate syrup on top to bring it all together – so tasty!
Caramel Drizzle
If silky smooth and super sweet is what you’re looking for, you’ve found it. Caramel cheesecake isn’t a super popular cheesecake topping but it’s super underestimated.
If you’ve got a sweet tooth this is the perfect topping for you. The combination of the more neutral tasting cream cheese filling paired with the explosion of sugar of caramel is a match made in desert heaven!
To make your own, all you need to do is purchase some squeezy caramel to drizzle over the top, or you can make it from scratch by melting and whisking sugar over a medium-high heat with some butter and a splash of cream – easy!
Coffee & Walnut
This is one for the coffee lovers out there! This classic combination works deliciously on regular cake, so why not use it as a cheesecake topping?
The crunch of the walnuts and the bitterness of the coffee compliment the sweet cream cheese filling tremendously. It’s the perfect after dinner dessert!
If you have a sweet tooth you could add in some chocolate and make it a mocha and walnut cheesecake or just drizzle some chocolate syrup on top.
Amaretto Cherry
Cherry flavors and Amaretto go hand in hand. Boozy desserts are the ultimate indulgence, the rich fragrant flavors of the Amaretto mixed with the sharp and juicy cherries paired with velvety cream cheese filling is the perfect combination.
If you want a desert that will match a special occasion, this is it. The cherries are soaked in amaretto, so they soak up all the lovely flavors and the taste of the alcohol will add a lovely element of heat in the back of your throat.
White Chocolate & Raspberry
White chocolate and raspberry were made to be enjoyed together. The ultra sweet white chocolate is tamed by the sharpness of the raspberries to create the perfect flavor combination.
Plus, it looks incredible. If you want to impress your guests, serving them a beautifully decorated red and white cheesecake complete with fresh whole raspberries, white chocolate shavings and a warm white chocolate drizzle will surely blow them away.
You can even add some candied raspberries for good measure. The possibilities are endless with this topping.
Peanut Butter & Chocolate
Everyone loves Reece’s Peanut Butter Cups, so why not make a cheesecake version? It’s pretty obvious that chocolate and peanut butter are a dreamy combination.
Or you could stick with the classic vanilla fillings and top it with chocolate sauce, Reece’s Peanut Butter Cups and a peanut butter drizzle.
Sliced Peaches
Peach flavored desserts is a controversial topic, some people love it, others hate it but if you’re on the side of all things peach, this one’s for you.
Sometimes, less is more, so a simple topping of freshly sliced peaches is all you need. Peach gives off a very refreshing aroma so combined with the velvety cheese filling it will surely hit the spot.
Plus, it’s a super low maintenance way to top our cheesecake while still looking classy and delicious!
Chocolate Shavings
Simple but delicious. You can’t go wrong with a chocolate flavored dessert. Depending on how much you love it, you can add some chocolate sauce too.
Simply take a block of chocolate and grate it against a cheese grater to create chocolate shavings. Alternatively you could probably purchase some ready-made, but it’s so easy to make yourself so give it a try!
Mixed Berries
Choose a handful of your favorite berries. We like blackberries, cherries, blueberries and strawberries, but you can use any combination you like!
Slice the larger berries and pit the cherries and add them all to a bowl with a tablespoon of sugar or honey and mix together.
Be gentle as you don’t want to completely mash them into a compote, but you want to create a mixture that is half sauce, half chunks of fruit. This will add so much flavor and lovely textures to your cheesecake, and it will look amazing.
You could add the banana to the cream cheese filling and smother it in a caramel glaze or swirl the caramel into the cream and top with freshly sliced banana and drizzle with a good helping of caramel. There are so many ways you can incorporate these toppings.
We like to keep the cream cheese filling plain and smother it in a creamy caramel glaze, topped with slices of banana and a good dollop of fresh cream for good measure – yum!
Passionfruit coulis
Here’s another super refreshing option: passionfruit. The sweet vanilla cream cheese filling with the tart flavor of the passionfruit makes for a deliciously refreshing after dinner dessert.
If you’re not a huge fan of super sweet desserts this is the cheesecake topping for you.
Lemon Curd
Another superbly tart option. This tangy, creamy lemon curd cheesecake topping will satisfy your sweet tooth without overwhelming your palette. Plus after a heavy meal it’s so refreshing.
To make the lemon curd all you need is five ingredients: fresh lemon, egg yolks, sugar, a pinch of salt and some butter. Mix all the ingredients in a pot on the stove until it thickens into a curd similar to crème brûlée.
Mango Key Lime
Your summer baking goals won’t be complete without a mango key lime cheesecake in the mix.
Sweet mango coulis with a few squeezes of lime and a sprinkle of lime zest is the perfect tropical flavor combination.
To make it even more tropical, you can add some coconut shavings on top.
Chocolate & Orange
Another debated flavor combination is chocolate and orange: some people love it, some people hate it but, we think it’s delicious, so we had to include it in this list.
To make your chocolate and orange topping you can melt chocolate in a pot on the stove on a low-medium heat and stir in some orange zest and some fresh orange juice and then whip that up with some egg whites to create a delicious mousse than you can then spread all over the top of the cheesecake. Then, decorate with some more fresh orange zest and chocolate shavings.
Final Say
Cheesecake is a super versatile dessert that goes well with literally any flavor combination. We hope this article has given you some inspiration for the next time you make a cheesecake.
Cheesecake topping ideas include whipped cream, caramel sauce, various chocolate topping, ice cream, fresh strawberry, chocolate chips, powdered sugar, and cherry pie filling to name a few. Enjoy choosing. The sky’s the limit.
Strawberry Glaze +18 Cheesecake Toppings You Need to Try
These recipes are sure to please. So, gather your family and friends and enjoy. Let us know your thoughts!
