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Heaven on Earth Cake Recipe

4.5 from 99 reviews

Heaven on Earth Cake is a luscious, no-bake layered dessert featuring airy angel food cake cubes, sweet cherry pie filling, creamy vanilla pudding topped with sour cream, and fluffy Cool Whip. This easy-to-assemble treat is chilled for several hours to meld the flavors, making it a perfect make-ahead dessert for family gatherings or special occasions.

Ingredients

Scale

Base

  • 1 angel food cake, pre-made or baked from a boxed mix

Filling and Topping

  • 1 can cherry pie filling (540 milliliters / 18 ounces)
  • 1 package 4-serving instant vanilla pudding mix (102 grams / 3.6 ounces)
  • 1½ cups 2% milk
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 8 ounces Cool Whip
  • Sliced almonds, optional garnish

Instructions

  1. Prepare Cake Cubes: Cut the cooled angel food cake into approximately 1-inch cubes, ensuring even sizes for consistent layering.
  2. First Cake Layer: Evenly spread half of the cake cubes in the bottom of a 9×9 inch cake pan, using either metal or glass.
  3. Cherry Pie Filling Layer: Spread two-thirds of the cherry pie filling evenly over the layer of cake cubes, distributing the fruit and syrup uniformly.
  4. Second Cake Layer: Place the remaining half of the cake cubes evenly over the cherry pie filling layer.
  5. Prepare Pudding Mixture: In a medium bowl, whisk together the instant vanilla pudding mix, 2% milk, and sour cream until smooth, about 2 minutes to ensure no lumps remain.
  6. Spread Pudding Layer: Evenly spread the pudding and sour cream mixture over the second layer of cake cubes, smoothing the surface carefully.
  7. Cool Whip Layer: Spread the Cool Whip evenly over the pudding layer, covering it completely for a fluffy topping.
  8. Top Cherry Pie Filling: Drop and spread the remaining cherry pie filling over the Cool Whip layer, distributing fruit pieces attractively.
  9. Swirl Pie Filling: Gently swirl some of the pie filling into the Cool Whip layer with a knife or spatula to infuse the flavors and create a decorative effect.
  10. Chill: Refrigerate the assembled cake for a minimum of 4 to 5 hours to set. For best results, chill overnight to allow flavors to meld and the cake to fully firm up.
  11. Add Garnish: Just before serving, sprinkle sliced almonds over the top if desired to add texture and a nutty flavor.

Notes

  • Use a pre-made angel food cake for quick assembly or bake from a boxed mix for freshness.
  • Chilling overnight improves flavor melding and texture.
  • Sliced almonds are optional but add a pleasant crunch and enhance presentation.
  • Use a 9×9 inch pan to ensure proper layering and thickness.
  • For a dairy-free version, substitute Cool Whip and sour cream with suitable plant-based alternatives.

Keywords: angel food cake, cherry pie filling, vanilla pudding, Cool Whip, layered dessert, no-bake cake, easy dessert