Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Heaven on Earth Cake is a dreamy, no-fuss dessert that truly lives up to its name. With soft cake layers, sweet-tart cherries, and clouds of creamy vanilla pudding and whipped topping, this dessert feels indulgent while remaining wonderfully light. It is one of those recipes that looks impressive on the table but requires minimal effort in the kitchen, making it perfect for gatherings, holidays, or last-minute desserts. I have made this cake countless times when I needed a reliable crowd-pleaser, and it never fails to disappear quickly. The layers soften beautifully as the dessert chills, creating a spoonable, trifle-like texture that improves with time. If you enjoy desserts that are creamy, fruity, and refreshing rather than overly rich, this Heaven on Earth Cake will quickly become a favorite.
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Heaven on Earth Cake (Light, Creamy, and Effortlessly Elegant)
- Total Time: 4 hours 20 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Heaven on Earth Cake is a light, no-bake style layered dessert made with fluffy cake cubes, creamy pudding, sweet cherries, and whipped topping, creating a soft, dreamy treat.
Ingredients
- 1 prepared angel food cake, cut into cubes
- 1 can (21 oz) cherry pie filling
- 1 package (3.4 oz) vanilla instant pudding mix
- 1 1/2 cups cold milk
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 container (8 oz) whipped topping, thawed
- Sliced almonds or chocolate shavings (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- In a bowl, whisk together the instant pudding mix and cold milk until thickened.
- Fold sour cream gently into the pudding until smooth.
- In a 9×13-inch dish, spread half of the angel food cake cubes evenly.
- Spoon half of the cherry pie filling over the cake layer.
- Spread half of the pudding mixture over the cherries.
- Repeat layers with remaining cake, cherries, and pudding mixture.
- Spread whipped topping evenly over the top.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight before serving.
- Garnish with almonds or chocolate shavings if desired.
Notes
- Best made a day ahead for flavors to blend.
- You can substitute blueberry or strawberry pie filling.
- Keep refrigerated until serving.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Bake / Layering
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
(Tip: You can find the complete list of ingredients and their measurements in the recipe card below.)
Angel Food Cake
Angel food cake provides a light, airy base that absorbs the creamy layers without becoming heavy. Store-bought works perfectly.
Cherry Pie Filling
Cherry pie filling adds sweetness, color, and a slightly tart contrast to the creamy layers.
Cream Cheese
Cream cheese gives the dessert structure and a subtle tang that balances the sweetness.
Vanilla Instant Pudding Mix
Vanilla pudding mix creates a smooth, creamy layer and adds classic flavor.
Milk
Milk is used to prepare the pudding and helps achieve the right consistency.
Whipped Topping
Whipped topping adds lightness and volume, creating soft, fluffy layers.
Vanilla Extract
Vanilla extract enhances the overall flavor and adds warmth.
Powdered Sugar
Powdered sugar lightly sweetens the cream cheese mixture without graininess.
Sliced Almonds (Optional)
Sliced almonds add a delicate crunch and elegant finish when used as a topping.
Directions
Begin by cutting the angel food cake into bite-sized cubes. Arrange half of the cake pieces evenly in the bottom of a glass baking dish.
Spoon half of the cherry pie filling over the cake layer, spreading it gently for even coverage.
In a mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese with powdered sugar and vanilla extract until smooth. In a separate bowl, whisk the pudding mix with milk until thickened. Fold the pudding into the cream cheese mixture, then gently fold in half of the whipped topping until smooth and fluffy.
Spread half of the cream mixture over the cherry layer. Repeat the layers with the remaining cake, cherry filling, and cream mixture.
Finish by spreading the remaining whipped topping evenly over the top. Sprinkle with sliced almonds if desired.
Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or overnight, to allow the layers to set and flavors to meld.
Equipment needed :
Must-Have Tools to Get Rolling
Here’s what you’ll want to have on hand:
Silicone Spatula – Durable, heat-resistant silicone spatula perfect for mixing, scraping, and spreading. Gentle on non-stick cookware and easy to clean.
Large pot – You’ll need this to boil the whole cabbage head and soften the leaves.
large bowl –Spacious, durable large bowl ideal for mixing, serving, or food preparation. Made from sturdy material and easy to clean.
Sharp knife – For coring the cabbage and slicing out the thick stem in each leaf. A paring knife works best.
Mixing bowl – A big bowl makes it easier to combine your meat and rice filling evenly.
Cutting board – For prepping cabbage leaves and rolling them like a pro.
Full-Size Blender – is a powerful kitchen appliance for making smoothies, soups, and sauces in large batches.
3-in-1 Air Fryer – This versatile 3-in-1 air fryer offers Air Fry for healthier meals with less oil, Bake for bakery-quality desserts and treats, and Reheat to bring leftovers back to life with crispy, flavorful results.
Servings and timing
This recipe serves 10 to 12 people.
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Chilling time: 4 hours
Total time: approximately 4 hours 20 minutes
Storage/reheating
Store Heaven on Earth Cake covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. This dessert is served chilled and should not be reheated.
Variations and Customizations
Heaven on Earth Cake is very adaptable. You can substitute blueberry or strawberry pie filling for the cherries to create a different fruit profile. I tested a blueberry version, and it was equally refreshing.
For a richer dessert, use mascarpone in place of cream cheese. This adds extra creaminess and a slightly sweeter flavor.
You can also add a thin layer of chocolate shavings or mini chocolate chips between the layers for a subtle chocolate note.
If you prefer homemade whipped cream, substitute it for whipped topping, keeping in mind the dessert may be slightly softer.
Nutrition and Dietary Info
Approximate nutrition per serving:
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 360 kcal |
| Protein | 5 g |
| Carbs | 48 g |
| Fat | 16 g |
| Saturated Fat | 9 g |
| Fiber | 2 g |
| Sugar | 32 g |
| Sodium | 340 mg |
Expert Tips & Customizations
Use a Glass Dish
This highlights the beautiful layers.
Chill Thoroughly
Proper chilling improves texture and flavor.
Fold Gently
This keeps the cream layer light and airy.
Cut Even Cake Pieces
Uniform pieces create cleaner layers.
Make Ahead
This dessert tastes better the next day.
FAQs
Can I make Heaven on Earth Cake ahead of time?
Yes, it is best made several hours or a day in advance.
Can I use homemade angel food cake?
Yes, homemade cake works very well.
Is this dessert very sweet?
It is balanced with light sweetness and gentle tang.
Can I freeze this cake?
Freezing is not recommended due to the creamy layers.
Can I use fresh cherries?
Fresh cherries can be used if cooked with sugar to form a filling.
Is this a traditional cake?
It is more of a layered, trifle-style dessert.
Conclusion
Heaven on Earth Cake is a light, creamy, and visually stunning dessert that delivers maximum flavor with minimal effort. With its soft cake layers, sweet cherries, and fluffy cream, it is ideal for gatherings, holidays, or anytime you want a dependable, crowd-pleasing treat. This recipe proves that sometimes the simplest desserts truly are heavenly.
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