Further toppings are optional; the most basic being chopped onions (raw or grilled with the cheese), brown sauce or ketchup.

[1][2] Recipe books and internet articles tend to elaborate on the basics, adding ingredients and specifying accompaniments to make more interesting reading.

[9] A 1932 San Jose News story, "Cheese Dream New Favorite Sandwich," suggested sprinkling the cheese "very sparingly" with a bit of mustard, cayenne "and a little minced red sweet pepper"; the sandwich was browned on both sides and served with "very hot, rich tomato sauce.

"[10] The sandwiches may predate the Depression, however, as a 1918 Good Housekeeping issue mentions Cheese Dreams as a luncheon dish, "our teahouse friend.

"[11] Cheese dreams were advertised in 1957 as a 55-cent (equivalent to $5.97 in 2023) luncheonette lenten special in Daytona Beach, Florida's Sunday News Journal.