If you’re craving a dessert that’s both light and indulgent, this Heaven on Earth Cake Recipe is my go-to treat. Seriously, it combines angel food cake with luscious cherry pie filling and creamy layers that just feel like a dream on your fork. Whenever I make this, it feels like a special occasion, even if it’s just a casual weekend dessert shared with family or friends.

What really makes this Heaven on Earth Cake Recipe stand out is how easy it comes together with store-bought ingredients while still tasting homemade and utterly delicious. It’s perfect when you want to impress without spending hours in the kitchen. Trust me, once you try it, you’ll want to make it again and again.

Ingredients You’ll Need

These ingredients work beautifully together to create layers of flavor and texture, balancing sweetness with a slight tang and a satisfying crunch. Picking fresh, full-fat dairy and quality canned cherry filling really elevates the dish, so keep that in mind when shopping.

Angel Food Cake: A store-bought cake works perfectly here—just slice it gently to keep it fluffy.
Cherry Pie Filling: The sweet and tart cherries give the cake its signature pop of flavor and moisture.
Whole Milk: Adds richness to the pudding mix for that creamy texture.
Heavy Cream: Helps create a luscious, thick pudding layer that soaks into the cake.
Sour Cream: Adds a subtle tang and keeps the pudding from being overly sweet.
Instant French Vanilla Pudding Mix: Binds the layers and adds a sweet vanilla flavor.
Whipped Topping: Use the thawed kind for lightness—this is the cloud-like finish on the pudding.
Thinly Sliced Almonds: A little crunch to top it all off, making each bite interesting.

Variations

I’ve found that this Heaven on Earth Cake Recipe is really adaptable, so feel free to make it your own. Sometimes, I swap out the cherry filling for fresh strawberries or mixed berries when they’re in season, giving it a fresh twist. It’s all about what flavors you love!

Berry Swap: I once tried it with blueberry pie filling—delicious and gave it a pretty purple shade.
Dairy-Free Version: Use coconut milk and dairy-free whipped topping for an allergy-friendly option that still tastes great.
Nut-Free: Skip the almonds for nut allergies and try topping with toasted coconut flakes instead.

How to Make Heaven on Earth Cake Recipe

Step 1: Cube That Angel Food Cake

Start by slicing your store-bought angel food cake into 1-inch cubes. Use a serrated knife if you have one—it helps keep the cake light and fluffy without squishing it. Arrange half of these cubes evenly in the bottom of a 9×9 baking dish for a perfect base layer.

Step 2: Layer the Cherry Pie Filling

Next, spoon about two-thirds of your cherry pie filling evenly over the cake cubes. This juicy layer adds sweetness and moisture so the cake isn’t dry. Patience here helps because you want an even spread without mixing the layers.

Step 3: Top with Remaining Cake

Add the remaining angel food cake cubes on top of your cherry pie filling. This sandwich of cake and fruit creates a delicious texture contrast that’s so satisfying in every bite.

Step 4: Whisk Together Dairy Mixture

In a medium bowl, combine the whole milk, heavy cream, and sour cream. Use a whisk or handheld mixer on low speed to blend these until smooth. It’s super important to get this creamy base right because it ensures your pudding is silky, not lumpy.

Step 5: Add Pudding Mix and Thicken

Sprinkle in the instant French vanilla pudding mix over your dairy blend. Whisk or mix until it thickens to about the consistency of yogurt—this usually takes just a few minutes. This thickened mixture is key for that velvety, dreamy layer we’re aiming for.

Step 6: Spread Pudding Over Cake

Carefully spread your pudding mixture over the top layer of cake cubes. Use an offset spatula or the back of a spoon for an even, smooth finish. This step sets up the beautiful layers we all love in this Heaven on Earth Cake Recipe.

Step 7: Add the Whipped Topping Layer

Spread the thawed whipped topping evenly over the pudding layer. This cloud-like layer adds the perfect lightness and balances the cake’s richness beautifully.

Step 8: Swirl Remaining Cherry Filling and Top with Almonds

Dollop the remaining cherry pie filling over the whipped topping and gently swirl it with a spoon or skewer to create a pretty marbled effect. Finally, sprinkle thinly sliced almonds on top for a delightful crunch and gorgeous finish.

Step 9: Chill and Let Flavors Meld

Cover your dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours—this step is crucial. The longer it chills, the more those marvelous flavors marry and soak into each other, turning your cake into something truly heavenly.

How to Serve Heaven on Earth Cake Recipe

The image shows a layered dessert square on a stack of three white plates, placed on a white marbled surface scattered with sliced almonds. The dessert has a bottom layer of bright red cherries mixed with a crumbly, light-brown cake base, topped by a thick, creamy pale yellow custard layer. Above this is a smooth, white whipped cream layer decorated with glossy red cherries and more sliced almonds. In the background, there is a clear glass baking dish filled with the same dessert and a red checkered cloth. The scene is well-lit and bright, with a close-up focus on the dessert. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

I love to keep it simple with the toasted sliced almonds on top—they add just the right amount of crunch and a lovely nutty aroma. Sometimes, I throw on a few fresh cherries or a light dusting of powdered sugar for an elegant touch.

Side Dishes

This cake pairs wonderfully with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a cup of freshly brewed coffee. For a brunch spread, it also complements a fruit salad or citrusy sorbet nicely to balance the creamy sweetness.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, try layering this in glass trifle bowls for a stunning presentation that shows off all those vibrant layers. I once decorated mine with edible flowers and fresh mint leaves to really wow guests, making the dessert as beautiful as it is tasty.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually cover leftovers tightly with plastic wrap or transfer the cake into an airtight container to keep it fresh. Stored in the fridge, it stays delicious for up to 3 days—perfect for enjoying a few more heavenly bites later.

Freezing

Honestly, I don’t recommend freezing this cake. The sour cream in the pudding layer tends to separate upon thawing, which affects both texture and flavor. It’s best enjoyed fresh or refrigerated for a few days.

Reheating

This cake is best served chilled, so I don’t heat it up. If you really want to warm a slice, a few seconds in the microwave can soften it, but be careful not to melt the whipped topping! Cold is truly where its magic shines.

FAQs

Can I use homemade angel food cake for this Heaven on Earth Cake Recipe?

Absolutely! Homemade angel food cake works wonderfully if you have the time to bake one. Just make sure it’s fully cooled before cubing to maintain the light, airy texture.
How long should the Heaven on Earth Cake chill before serving?

For best results, chill for at least 4 hours to allow the flavors to meld and the cake to soak up the delicious pudding mixture. I often prepare it the night before for a more cohesive flavor.
Can I make this dessert gluten-free?

Yes! Use a gluten-free angel food cake (available in some specialty stores or online) and ensure your cherry pie filling is gluten-free as well. All other ingredients are naturally gluten-free.
Is there a way to make this cake less sweet?

You can reduce the sweetness slightly by using a low-sugar cherry pie filling or cutting back on the pudding mix amount. Adding sour cream helps balance sweetness, so don’t skip it!
What if I don’t have instant vanilla pudding mix?

You can make a homemade vanilla pudding using cornstarch, sugar, vanilla extract, and milk. Just make sure it thickens sufficiently before layering to keep that creamy texture in your Heaven on Earth Cake Recipe.

Final Thoughts

This Heaven on Earth Cake Recipe is one of those desserts that feels like a warm hug after a busy day. I love how simple it is to put together, yet how impressive it looks and tastes. Whether you’re serving it for a family gathering or a cozy night in, it never disappoints. Give it a try—you might just find your new favorite cake!

Heaven on Earth Cake Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.8 from 106 reviews

Heaven on Earth Cake is a luscious, no-bake layered dessert featuring fluffy angel food cake cubes, sweet cherry pie filling, creamy vanilla pudding, sour cream, and whipped topping, all garnished with toasted almonds. This easy-to-make, chilled treat is perfect for gatherings and provides a refreshing and indulgent flavor combination that melts in your mouth.

Author: Emma
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 4 hours 15 minutes
Yield: 12 servings 1x
Category: No-Cook
Method: No-Cook
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

Cake Layer

14 ounce store bought angel food cake

Fruit Layer

21 ounce canned cherry pie filling

Cream Mixture

1 cup whole milk
½ cup heavy cream
1 cup sour cream
3.4 ounce instant french vanilla pudding mix

Topping

8 ounce container whipped topping, thawed
1½ tablespoons thinly sliced almonds

Instructions

Prepare Cake Cubes: Slice the angel food cake into 1-inch cubes. Evenly layer half of these cake cubes in the bottom of a 9×9-inch baking dish to form the base layer.
Add Cherry Pie Filling: Spoon about two-thirds of the canned cherry pie filling evenly over the first layer of cake cubes, ensuring good coverage to infuse sweetness and fruity flavor.
Layer Remaining Cake: Spread the remaining angel food cake cubes evenly on top of the cherry pie filling layer, creating a layered effect.
Mix Dairy Ingredients: In a medium mixing bowl, combine the whole milk, heavy cream, and sour cream. Whisk together using a hand whisk or handheld mixer at low speed until smooth and well blended.
Incorporate Pudding Mix: Sprinkle the instant French vanilla pudding mix over the milk and cream mixture, then whisk or mix until the pudding begins to thicken, reaching a yogurt-like consistency.
Spread Pudding Layer: Evenly spread the thickened pudding mixture over the top layer of cake cubes, creating a creamy barrier between layers.
Add Whipped Topping: Spread the thawed whipped topping evenly over the pudding layer to add lightness and texture.
Top with Remaining Cherry Filling: Dollop the remaining cherry pie filling on top of the whipped topping. Use a spoon, kitchen knife, or bamboo skewer to gently swirl the cherry filling in a decorative pattern.
Garnish with Almonds: Sprinkle the thinly sliced almonds evenly over the swirled cherry topping, adding a delicate crunch and visual appeal.
Chill to Set: Cover the baking dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours. Chilling allows the flavors to meld and the cake to absorb moisture for the best texture. Keep refrigerated until ready to serve.

Notes

Storage: Store any leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Freezing: Freezing is not recommended as the sour cream may separate, altering the taste and texture.
Tips: Use a serrated knife to slice the angel food cake gently to maintain its fluffiness.
Use full-fat dairy products for optimal flavor, texture, and thickness.
Allowing the cake to sit in the refrigerator enhances flavor melding and soaking, improving the overall texture.

Keywords: angel food cake cherry dessert no-bake pudding layered cake cherry pie filling whipped topping almond garnish