If you have a sweet tooth and adore light, fluffy desserts layered with luscious flavors, you are going to fall head over heels for this Heaven on Earth Cake Recipe. This delightful treat combines airy angel food cake, creamy vanilla pudding, tangy sour cream, and bursts of cherry goodness into an irresistible layered masterpiece that feels like a celebration in every bite. Perfect for family gatherings, potlucks, or just a special indulgence at home, this recipe is simple yet incredibly satisfying.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering these straightforward but essential ingredients is your first step to creating a dish that’s as beautiful as it is delicious. Each component plays a key role, from the light texture of the angel food cake to the creamy pudding mixture and the bright, fruity cherry pie filling that adds that vibrant pop.
- Premade Angel Food Cake: Provides the light and airy base that every bite rests on, making the cake fluffy and delicate.
- Instant Vanilla Pudding Mix: Adds a creamy, velvety texture with rich vanilla flavor that binds the ingredients together beautifully.
- Milk (1 ½ cups): Essential for mixing with the pudding to create a smooth, dreamy custard layer.
- Sour Cream (1 cup): Brings a tangy creaminess that balances the sweetness and enhances the pudding’s richness.
- Cherry Pie Filling (1 can): Bursts of sweet and tart cherries that create a juicy, fruity surprise throughout the layers.
- Cool Whip (1 container, thawed): The fluffy topping that crowns the cake with lightness and a melt-in-your-mouth finish.
How to Make Heaven on Earth Cake Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Cake
Start by tearing the premade angel food cake into bite-sized pieces. This not only makes layering effortless but ensures that every forkful has that signature light, airy texture that angel food cake is known for. Avoid overcrowding the pieces so that they stay fluffy and don’t become dense.
Step 2: Build the First Layer
Evenly spread half of the angel food cake pieces across the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish. It’s important to cover the entire base to form a sturdy foundation that will hold all the delicious layers to come.
Step 3: Make the Pudding Mixture
In a mixing bowl, whisk together the instant vanilla pudding mix with 1 ½ cups of milk and the cup of sour cream until the texture is smooth and creamy. Let this mixture rest for a few minutes so the pudding thickens perfectly, ready to add that luscious, velvety layer to the cake.
Step 4: Add Cherry Pie Filling
Spread half of the cherry pie filling evenly over the layer of angel food cake. Distributing the cherries well is key to ensuring each bite offers that refreshing fruity burst, which makes the dessert truly sing.
Step 5: Add the Second Cake Layer
Carefully top the cherries with the remaining angel food cake pieces to create a second fluffy layer. This layering adds height and texture contrast, setting the stage for the creamy pudding layer on top.
Step 6: Spread the Pudding Layer
Evenly spread the prepared vanilla pudding mixture over the second layer of cake pieces, smoothing it out gently so it covers every inch. This creamy layer complements the airy cake and sweet cherries magnificently.
Step 7: Top with Whipped Topping
Gently spread the thawed Cool Whip over the pudding layer. This topping adds a light, whipped fluffiness that makes the cake feel like a dream dessert — soft, creamy, and inviting.
Step 8: Decorate with Cherry Pie Filling
To finish, spoon the remaining cherry pie filling artistically over the Cool Whip topping. This not only makes the cake visually stunning but gives it extra cherry flavor in every slice.
Step 9: Chill and Serve
Cover the dish and refrigerate for several hours. Chilling is essential as it lets the flavors meld together and allows the cake to set perfectly. Serve it chilled, and watch how quickly it disappears!
How to Serve Heaven on Earth Cake Recipe
Garnishes
Elevate this already stunning cake by adding fresh cherries or a sprinkle of toasted almonds on top for crunch. A light dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of melted white chocolate can also add a touch of elegance.
Side Dishes
This cake pairs beautifully with a simple cup of hot coffee or tea. For a summer celebration, serve it alongside a fresh fruit salad or a scoop of vanilla ice cream to enhance the fruity and creamy flavors even more.
Creative Ways to Present
Instead of layering in a baking dish, you can present the Heaven on Earth Cake Recipe as individual parfaits in clear glasses. Alternate the cake pieces, pudding, and cherries to showcase those gorgeous layers, making it perfect for parties or a fancy dessert treat.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once assembled and chilled, the Heaven on Earth Cake Recipe can be covered tightly and stored in the refrigerator for up to three days. This gives you plenty of time to savor the flavors, although it’s so delicious, leftover chances might be slim!
Freezing
While the texture is best enjoyed fresh or refrigerated, you can freeze leftovers if needed. Wrap the cake securely with plastic wrap and foil, then freeze for up to one month. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before serving.
Reheating
This dessert is meant to be served chilled, so reheating isn’t recommended. However, letting it sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving allows the flavors to shine without losing that refreshing coolness.
FAQs
Can I make this cake from scratch?
Absolutely! If you prefer homemade angel food cake and vanilla pudding, it can deepen the flavor and make the cake even more special. But the convenience of premade ingredients keeps it quick and easy without sacrificing taste.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
Traditional angel food cake contains gluten, so this recipe is not gluten-free unless you find a gluten-free angel food cake alternative. Check labels carefully if you need to avoid gluten.
Can I use fresh cherries instead of canned pie filling?
Yes! Fresh cherries can be cooked down with a little sugar and cornstarch to create a similar pie filling texture. This adds a lovely homemade touch to your Heaven on Earth Cake Recipe.
How long should I chill the cake before serving?
For the best texture and flavor melding, at least 3-4 hours of refrigeration is ideal. Overnight chilling is even better if you have the time.
Can this cake be made dairy-free?
With some ingredient swaps like dairy-free pudding mix, sour cream alternatives, and non-dairy whipped topping, you can adapt this recipe for a dairy-free diet. The key is to keep the creamy and light textures intact.
Final Thoughts
Sharing the Heaven on Earth Cake Recipe with you feels like introducing an old friend — one that never fails to bring joy and smiles around the table. It’s simple, luscious, and bursting with flavors that blend together perfectly. If you’re craving a dessert that’s more than just good, but genuinely heavenly, this recipe is your answer. Give it a try, and get ready for rave reviews!
Print
Heaven on Earth Cake Recipe
- Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes (including chilling time)
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
Description
Heaven on Earth Cake is a simple, no-bake layered dessert featuring light angel food cake, creamy vanilla pudding, tangy sour cream, and sweet cherry pie filling, all topped with fluffy Cool Whip. Perfect for a quick, crowd-pleasing treat that requires minimal prep and no oven baking.
Ingredients
Cake
- 1 premade angel food cake
Pudding Mixture
- 1 box instant vanilla pudding mix
- 1 ½ cups milk
- 1 cup sour cream
Toppings
- 1 can cherry pie filling
- 1 container Cool Whip, thawed
Instructions
- Prepare the Cake: Tear the premade angel food cake into bite-sized pieces. This helps with layering and ensures the cake remains light and airy throughout your dessert.
- First Layer: Evenly spread half of the angel food cake pieces in the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish, covering the entire base to provide a sturdy foundation for the following layers.
- Make the Pudding Mixture: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the instant vanilla pudding mix, milk, and sour cream until the mixture is smooth. Let it rest for a few minutes so the pudding can thicken and set properly.
- Add Cherry Pie Filling: Spoon and spread half of the cherry pie filling evenly over the cake layer in the baking dish, ensuring each bite will have a burst of fruity flavor.
- Second Cake Layer: Add the remaining angel food cake pieces on top of the cherry layer, building the next level of the cake.
- Add Pudding Layer: Spread the prepared vanilla pudding mixture evenly over the second cake layer, smoothing it out to completely cover the surface.
- Top with Whipped Topping: Gently spread the thawed Cool Whip over the pudding layer, creating a smooth and fluffy finish that adds a light texture contrast.
- Decorate with Cherry Pie Filling: Spoon the remaining cherry pie filling decoratively over the Cool Whip topping to enhance both the presentation and flavor.
- Chill and Serve: Cover the dish and refrigerate the cake for several hours to allow the flavors to meld and the dessert to set. Serve chilled and enjoy this luscious, easy-to-make treat!
Notes
- Use a 9×13 inch dish to ensure proper layering and portions.
- Allow sufficient chilling time, ideally 4 hours or overnight, for best texture and flavor.
- For a lighter option, substitute Cool Whip with whipped cream if preferred.
- This dessert is best served cold and doesn’t hold well at room temperature.
- Feel free to swap cherry pie filling with other fruit fillings like blueberry or strawberry for variation.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
