Skip to content

3 DIY Toppings for Heinen’s Fan Favorite Original Cheesecake

3 DIY Toppings for Heinen’s Fan Favorite Original Cheesecake
View Recipe

The following photography was provided by local blogger Carolyn Hodges of The Dinner Shift.

It’s hard to pass up a piece of cheesecake, but the process of baking a cheesecake from scratch can be intimidating to even the best bakers.

Luckily, Heinen’s has developed their own cheesecake recipe that tastes as fresh and decadent as anything you could bake in your oven or buy from an old school bake shop. It’s so good that it’s one of only two items in the Bakery to receive the Heinen’s Fan Favorites seal of approval!

A Plain, Whole Heinen's Original Cheesecake on a Plate with a Slice Missing. A Plate with Single Cheesecake Slits sits in the Background with Bowls of Fresh Raspberries and Blueberries.

So, why is Heinen’s cheesecake so beloved? The taste alone explains it all, but if you need more convincing, Heinen’s original cheesecake:

  • Comes from a proprietary recipe developed by Heinen’s expert bakers. You simply can’t find it anywhere else!
  • Offers a rich, decadent flavor and texture that resembles a fusion of New York and Philadelphia-style cheesecakes.
  • Is assembled on a buttery graham cracker crust.
  • Is easily elevated with any toppings your taste buds are craving.

Speaking of toppings, Heinen’s original cheesecake is an ideal canvas for every sweet flavor profile under the sun, and while this cheesecake is undeniably delicious on its own, a little extra sweetness is never a bad thing.

Vertical Image of Three White Plates Featuring Individual Slices of Heinen's Original Cheesecake with PB&J, Turtle and Lemon Blueberry Toppings. Individual containers if Topping Ingredients Sit in the Background.

From fruity flavors like lemon blueberry, to nostalgic combos like PB&J, discover three simple ways to top Heinen’s original cheesecake using convenient, ready-made ingredients.

Why You’ll Love These Recipes

  • They’re effortlessly easy ways to add a “homemade” touch to store-bought cheesecake. The great thing about Heinen’s original cheesecake is that it tastes as good as homemade, but you don’t actually have to do any baking. However, if you’re looking to put your own touch on this creamy cake, these minimal-ingredient toppings are a great way to do just that.
  • They’re easily customizable. The topping recipes below feature PB&J, turtle and lemon blueberry flavor profiles. If these flavors don’t speak to your taste buds, you can easily top Heinen’s original cheesecake with your favorite sweet treat, like crushed cookies, whipped cream, pie filling and more! The options are endless.
  • They’re perfect for parties. If you’re responsible for bringing dessert to a party, consider these recipes a delicious secret shortcut. Simply pick up a cheesecake from Heinen’s Bakery, grab the ingredients for your desired topping(s) and add them to the top of the cheesecake before the party starts, or lay them out “bar-style” so guests can top at the please.

3 DIY Toppings for Heinen’s Fan Favorite Original Cheesecake

3 DIY Toppings for Heinen’s Fan Favorite Original Cheesecake

Cook time: 15min Prep time: 5min Total time: 20min

Ingredients

For the PB&J Cheesecake

  • Stonewall Kitchen red raspberry jam
  • Heinen’s creamy natural peanut butter
  • Fresh raspberries

For the Turtle Cheesecake

  • Heinen’s semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • Heinen’s heavy whipping cream
  • Store-bought caramel sauce
  • Heinen’s pecans, chopped

For the Lemon Blueberry Cheesecake

  • 12 oz. fresh blueberries
  • 1 tsp. lemon juice
  • 4 Tbsp. Heinen’s sugar
  • A pinch of salt
  • Bonne Maman lemon curd
  • Lemon zest, for garnish

Instructions

For the PB&J Topping

  1. Spread a spoonful of the red raspberry jam on the top of a slice of Heinen’s original cheesecake.
  2. Drizzle a spoonful of the creamy natural peanut butter over top of the jam.
  3. Garnish with fresh raspberries.

A Slice of Heinen's Original Cheesecake on a Plate with a Peanut Butter and Jelly Topping and Fresh Raspberries. A Jar of Peanut Butter, a Jar of Jam and a bowl of raspberries sit in the background.

For the Turtle Topping

  1. In a ramekin or small bowl, melt the chocolate chips with the heavy cream in the microwave. Stir until fully melted and combined.
  2. Drizzle the chocolate over a slice of Heinen’s original cheesecake.
  3. Drizzle the caramel sauce over top of the chocolate.
  4. Finish with chopped pecans.

A Slice of Heinen's Original Cheesecake on a Plate with a Caramel, Chocolate and Pecan Turtle Topping. A Jar of Lemon Curd, a Bowl of Caramel Sauce and an Open Bag of Chocolate Chips Sit in the Background.

For the Lemon Blueberry Topping

  1. Make the homemade blueberry sauce by combining the blueberries, lemon juice, sugar and salt in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer for 10 minutes. Transfer the mixture to a blender, then run the blended mixture through a fine strainer. Store in an airtight container in the fridge until ready to use.
  2. Spread a spoonful of the lemon curd on the top of a slice of Heinen’s original cheesecake.
  3. Drizzle a spoonful of the blueberry sauce over top of the lemon curd.
  4. Garnish with lemon zest.

A Slice of Heinen's Original Cheesecake on a Plate with a Lemon Blueberry Topping. A Jar of Lemon Curd, a Jar of Blueberry Sauce and a bowl of blueberries sit in the background.

 

Heinen's Grocery Store

By Heinen's Grocery Store

In 1929, Joe Heinen opened the doors of a small butcher shop on the east side of Cleveland, Ohio, aiming to establish himself as the city’s purveyor of quality meats. As customers came into Heinen’s new shop for their meat purchases, they began asking him to carry groceries as well. Joe added homemade peanut butter, pickles and donuts and by 1933, business had grown enough to include a line of produce and canned goods. Heinen’s Grocery Store was born.

Related Recipes & Stories