Heaven On Earth Cake

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

This Heaven on Earth Cake is the classic, original version of the beloved no-bake dessert that shows up at potlucks, church suppers, and summer gatherings everywhere. Made with fluffy angel food cake, creamy vanilla pudding, whipped topping, and cherry pie filling, it’s a simple layered dessert that looks beautiful and feeds a crowd with very little effort.

Part trifle, part sheet-cake style dessert, this recipe comes together in a 9×13 dish using convenient store-bought ingredients — which means less time in the kitchen and more time enjoying the moment. It’s cool, creamy, and exactly the kind of nostalgic dessert people hope for when they hear the name Heaven on Earth Cake.

If you love easy, crowd-pleasing desserts like this one, be sure to browse my No-Bake Desserts (Easy No-Bake Dessert Recipes) collection, or try Cherry Delight, Oreo Delight, or Chocolate Delight — all creamy, layered desserts that are perfect for potlucks and family gatherings.

What Is Heaven On Earth Cake

This is a delicious, no-bake dessert that’s like a cross between a trifle and a sheet-cake style layered dessert. No one really knows how it got its name — but after one bite, you’ll probably have a few ideas! It’s an easy, crowd-pleasing recipe made with store-bought angel food cake, instant pudding, pie filling, and whipped topping, then chilled until everything sets up creamy and scoopable. It’s the kind of dessert that saves you when you need something fast for a potluck, barbecue, or neighbor drop-off — and it’s just as welcome on a random weeknight when you want a little something sweet. The classic version uses cherry pie filling, but once you know the base recipe, it’s easy to switch up the fruit for different seasons and occasions.

Flavor Variations for Heaven on Earth Cake

Once you’ve made the classic Heaven on Earth Cake, it’s easy to customize it with different fruit fillings. All of these variations start with the same creamy, no-bake base — the only thing that changes is the fruit layer, making them perfect for switching things up by season or occasion.

• Strawberry Heaven on Earth Cake – A bright, fresh twist that’s especially popular in spring and summer, with a sweet strawberry layer folded into the classic creamy base.
• Blueberry Heaven on Earth Cake – Slightly less sweet with a deeper berry flavor, this version pairs beautifully with vanilla pudding and whipped topping.
• Peach Heaven on Earth Cake – Soft, juicy peaches give this variation a summery feel that’s always a hit at potlucks and barbecues.

Heaven On Earth Cake Ingredients

• Prepared Angel Food Cake: I love the convenience of using this premade cake! Depending on where I buy it, I use a 14-ounce or 15-ounce cake. Anything close to that size will work.
• Instant Vanilla Pudding Mix: Be sure to grab the instant pudding, not the stovetop version.
• Milk: I use whole milk, but a lower-fat version will also work.
• Sour Cream: I use regular sour cream, but I’m sure low-fat will also work. Before using it, check to see if there is excess fluid floating on top. If there is, put a double layer of paper towels on top of the solid sour cream, allow the fluid to absorb, and then discard. Vanilla-flavored or plain Greek yogurt also works nicely.
• Cherry Pie Filling: This is another great convenience item. Of course, you can use a homemade recipe of pie filling.
• Frozen Topping: I’ve used Cool Whip, Kroger’s original whipped topping, and Walmart’s Great Value Whipped Topping, all with good results. Honestly, I don’t see much difference in taste or texture. I will say I prefer the generic price tags of the last, too!

Tips For Heaven On Earth Cake

• Be Patient! This is the hardest part of making this recipe! It needs to be refrigerated to create the correct texture and taste. It needs to chill for at least 4 hours, 8 hours is even better!
• Best Knife: A serrated knife blade is best for cutting the fluffy texture of Angel food cake into cake cubes using a sawing motion.
• Optional garnish: Use slivered or chopped almonds instead of sliced almonds! They really add a nice aesthetic element, not to mention crunch! A few fresh mint leaves are always a lovely touch!
• Serving Dish: For a more elegant presentation, make it in a small trifle bowl. Want individual servings? Layer this in mason jars!

Recipe Variations + Customizations

• Different Cake: Instead of angel food, try pound cake, chocolate cake, a simple vanilla sponge cake, or brownies.
• Homemade: If you make a homemade scratch Angel food cake, use a tube cake pan. Can you make angel food cake a day ahead? Absolutely. Pro tip: The cake needs to be completely cooled before using in this recipe, so making it ahead is a great idea!
• Semi-Homemade: To step it up from my basic recipe, use a boxed angel food cake mix.
• Switch up the pie-filling flavors! Try this with different sumptuous pie fillings: strawberry pie filling, apple pie filling, blueberry pie filling, lemon pie filling (I love this ingredient. I use it in my lemon dump cake). They are all fantastic!
• Top it! This is great topped with an extra dollop of whipped toppings, such as Cool Whip, homemade whipped cream, fresh berries, fresh pitted cherries, or virtually any fresh fruit.
• Serving Adults Only? The cake cubes can be quickly dipped in sherry or your favorite alcohol, as in traditional tiramisu.
• Sub the Sour Cream! Use plain Greek yogurt instead!

Storage + Freezing + Make-ahead

• How Long Can You Keep This In The Refrigerator? This can be refrigerated for up to 2 days. Store leftovers in an airtight container.
• Can You Freeze This? No. Since this cake has sour cream, it’s not recommended to freeze it. Once thawed, the texture might differ.
• Make-Ahead Tips: Assemble a day ahead or a few hours ahead, and refrigerate.
• Food Safety: If you’d like more info on food safety, check out this link.

🥣 How To Make Heaven On Earth Cake Recipe

Prep the layers. Cut the angel food cake into bite-sized cubes and spread half of them into the bottom of a 9×13-inch dish. Spoon about two-thirds of the cherry pie filling over the cake, then add the remaining cake cubes on top.

Make the creamy layer. Whisk the instant pudding mix with the milk until smooth, then stir in the sour cream until it turns into a thick, creamy pudding. Spread that evenly over the cake layer, then finish with the thawed whipped topping.

Top and chill. Swirl the remaining cherry pie filling over the top and sprinkle with almonds if you’d like. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours (overnight is even better) so the layers can set up and the cake can soak up all that creamy, fruity goodness.

More No-Bake Desserts You’ll Love

If you’re looking for more easy, make-ahead desserts like this one, these no-bake favorites are always a hit:

• Eclair Cake – layers of graham crackers, pudding, and chocolate topping that taste just like a classic éclair
• Lemon Icebox Cake – bright, creamy, and perfectly refreshing for warm days
• Hershey Pie – rich, chocolatey, and incredibly easy to make
• Oreo Pie – a no-bake favorite with a cookies-and-cream twist
• Chocolate Pudding Pie – smooth, classic, and always crowd-pleasing

Tried This Recipe?

💌 And while you’re here, don’t miss the next cozy recipe — subscribe to my totally FREE newsletter so you’ll always have comfort food favorites at your fingertips. 💌

If you enjoyed this recipe, please take a moment to leave ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ star rating and a quick comment — I love hearing from you and it helps our community of bakers and cooks!

📸 And if you Gram… don’t forget to share your photo on Instagram — tag me @gonnawantseconds so I can cheer you on and share your creations!

Thanks for stopping by my kitchen today — happy cooking, friends! 💗 Kathleen

Save Recipe!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Heaven On Earth Cake

Easy no-bake heaven on earth cake is layered with fluffy angel food cake, sweet-tart cherry pie filling, and creamy pudding layer. A trifle in a 9X13 dish!

Prep Time15 minutes mins

Chilling Time4 hours hrs

Total Time4 hours hrs 15 minutes mins

Servings: 10 serving

Author: Kathleen

Ingredients

• ▢ 1 (14-ounce) prepared Angel food cake, cut into 1 inch cubes
• ▢ 1 (3.5-ounce) box instant vanilla pudding
• ▢ 1 1/2 cups milk
• ▢ 1 cup sour cream
• ▢ 1 (21-ounce) can cherry pie filling
• ▢ 1 (8-ounce) tub cool whip, thawed

Instructions

• Layer half of the cake pieces evenly on the bottom of a 9×13 baking dish.
  
• Pour 2/3 of the cherry pie filling evenly over the cake.
  
• Layer the remaining cake pieces over the cherry filling.
  
• In a medium mixing bowl, stir together pudding mix (1 box), milk (1 1/2 cups), and sour cream (1 cup), then smooth. Spoon an even layer over the cake.
  
• Spread cool whip (1 tub) evenly over pudding.
  
• Garnish the top with the remaining pie filling and almonds.
  
• Chill for about 4 to 5 hours. Cut into servings.

Fans Also Made:

• 
  Easy Eclair Cake
• 
  Summer Berry Icebox Cake

RATE THIS RECIPE

Save Recipe!

Notes

1. Different Cake: In lieu of Angle food, try pound cake, chocolate cake, a simple vanilla sponge cake, or even brownies.
2. Homemade: If you make a homemade Angel food cake, use a tube cake pan.
3. Semi-Homemade: If you want to step it up from my basic recipe, use a boxed angel food cake mix.
4. Can you make angel food cake a day ahead? Absolutely. Pro tip: The cake needs to be completely cooled before using in this recipe so making it ahead of time is a great idea!
5. Best Knife: To cut the fluffy texture of the cake of Angel food cake into cake cubes is a knife with a serrated blade.
6. Optional garnish: Instead of the sliced almonds, use slivered or chopped! They really add a nice aesthetic element not to mention crunch! A few fresh mint leaves are always a lovely touch!

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 334kcal | Carbohydrates: 55g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 35mg | Sodium: 299mg | Potassium: 235mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 24g | Vitamin A: 480IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 132mg | Iron: 1mg

DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE? I'D LOVE TO SEE!Tag @GonnaWantSeconds or #gonnawantseconds on Instagram!

© Gonna Want Seconds. Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media/website/blog is strictly prohibited.

On your phone? Check the web story here.

Pin

Share

Email

4K Shares