Heaven on Earth Cake (2024)

Delicious layers of angel food cake, tart cherries, sweet pudding, and whipped cream come together to create a decadent dessert worthy of the name. Lighter than air, Heaven on Earth Cake is blissfully out of this world.

MORE RECIPES: Blueberry Angel Food Cake | Lemon Lasagna | Strawberry Cake Roll

Just one bite and you might hear angels singing. This cool and creamy dessert only takes 15 minutes to put together. The hardest part will likely be waiting for it to set and chill in the refrigerator.

Don’t consider yourself to be a baker? No worries. This refrigerator cake, or icebox cake, recipe means that no baking is required. Instead, this cake is assembled by layering together cubed angel food cake, cherry pie filling, vanilla pudding with sour cream, and whipped topping.

Slightly resembling a bread pudding or a trifle, you’ll never fail to impress with Heaven on Earth cake. This cold dessert is a delightful treat on a hot summer night. Serve it at your next family dinner, barbecue, or just because you didn’t want to turn on the oven to make dessert.

Heaven on Earth Cake Ingredients

• Angel food cake - you can use either a pre-made cake or bake a boxed angel food cake mix and let it cool
• Cherry pie filling - a can of cherry pie filling, or homemade
• Vanilla pudding - 1 package instant vanilla pudding mix
• Milk - 2% milk
• Sour cream
• Cool Whip
• Sliced almonds - optional garnish

The base of this dessert is a light angel food cake. You can either purchase a pre-made angel food cake from the store or bake your own. If you’re baking your own make sure to let it cool fully before cutting it and assembling your cake. When you cut your cake using a knife with a serrated blade, this will cut the cake easier, and you won’t lose the airy, fluffy texture of the cake.

Make variations of Heaven on Earth cake by using your favorite pie filling flavor. Instead of just cherry pie filling, you could use strawberry, blueberry, raspberry, lemon, or even apple. The pie filling isn’t the only flavor you can change. Swap the vanilla pudding for a different flavor as well, something that pairs well with the fruit flavor you choose. You could also swap out the angel food cake for pound cake, a vanilla sponge cake, or even chocolate cake.

Taking this cake to a potluck? Serving this dessert in a trifle bowl, rather than a cake pan, will show off the fancy layers in your dessert. When you’re serving your dessert, you don't need a knife. Just scoop your dessert onto bowls or plates using a large serving spoon.

How to Make Heaven on Earth Cake

FIRST STEP: Cut the cooled angel food cake into cubes about 1” in size.

SECOND STEP: Layer half of the cake pieces evenly in the bottom of a 9x9 cake pan (metal or glass).

THIRD STEP: Spread ⅔ of the cherry pie filling evenly over the cake.

FOURTH STEP: Layer the last half of the cake cubes over the cherry pie filling.

FIFTH STEP: In a medium bowl, stir together the pudding mix, milk, and sour cream until smooth (about 2 minutes). Spread evenly over the top of the cake.

SIXTH STEP: Spread the Cool Whip evenly over top of the pudding layer. Drop & spread the rest of the cherry pie filling over the top.

SEVENTH STEP: Place in the fridge and let chill 4-5 hours before serving.

EIGHTH STEP: Sprinkle slivered almonds on top of the cake before you serve it (optional).

How long does the dessert need to chill?

This cake needs at least 4 to 5 hours in the fridge so it can soak up all of the flavors. However, overnight is even better.

Can I use pound cake?

Swap the angel food cake for pound cake, vanilla sponge cake, chocolate cake, lemon cake, brownies, or sponge fingers for variety.

Can I use a different pie filling?

Not a fan of cherry pie filling? Use your favorite pie filling flavor to make Heaven on Earth cake. Instead of cherry pie filling, you could use strawberry, blueberry, raspberry, lemon, or even apple.

How do I serve Heaven on Earth cake?

With all the pudding and whipped cream, you won’t need a knife to serve this cake. Instead, this cake needs to be scooped into bowls or onto plates with a large serving spoon. If desired you can serve your dessert with fresh berries or other fresh fruits, an extra dollop of whipped cream, or even a scoop of ice cream.

Storing Heaven on Earth Cake

IN THE FRIDGE: Store leftover cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 1 to 2 days.

IN THE FREEZER: It is not recommended to freeze this recipe as the consistency will change once thawed.