If you’ve been searching for a dessert that feels like a warm hug wrapped in sweetness, you’re going to adore this Heaven On Earth Cake Recipe. This stunningly simple, no-bake treat layers fluffy angel food cake with luscious cherry pie filling and creamy vanilla pudding, creating a heavenly medley of textures and flavors in every bite. It’s perfect for celebrations, potlucks, or just when you want to feel like dessert royalty without spending hours in the kitchen.

Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering the right ingredients is the first joyful step to making this dessert come to life. Each component is thoughtfully chosen to balance sweetness, creaminess, and a burst of fruitiness, ensuring that every spoonful is pure delight.
- 14 oz prepared angel food cake: Light and airy, it provides the perfect sponge that soaks up flavors beautifully.
- 1 can (21 oz) cherry pie filling: Brings vibrant color and a tangy-sweet surprise in every bite.
- 1 box (3.4 oz) instant vanilla pudding mix: Adds creamy, smooth texture and rich vanilla flavor without any fuss.
- 1½ cups whole milk: Essential for whisking with the pudding to achieve that silky consistency (or half & half if you prefer extra indulgence).
- 1 cup sour cream: Adds a slight tang and velvety body, balancing the sweetness perfectly.
- 8 oz Cool Whip, thawed: This fluffy topping folds into the pudding and finishes the cake with lightness.
- ¼ cup sliced berries (optional): Fresh berries give a pop of color and a refreshing touch as garnish.
How to Make Heaven On Earth Cake Recipe
Step 1: Whisk the pudding and milk
Start by whisking the instant vanilla pudding mix with whole milk for about two minutes until it thickens brilliantly. This step sets the creamy foundation, turning the simple pudding mix into a luscious custard that will layer beautifully with the other ingredients.
Step 2: Blend in the sour cream
The addition of sour cream here transforms the sweetness into a rich and tangy delight. Stir it gently into the pudding until the mixture becomes perfectly smooth and velvety.
Step 3: Fold in half of the Cool Whip
Carefully folding in half of the thawed Cool Whip brings a light, airy texture to the pudding mixture, making it feel indulgent yet effortlessly soft. This is where the magic of fluffy creamy goodness begins to take shape.
Step 4: Layer the angel food cake cubes
Using a large trifle bowl or glass dish will showcase the beautiful layers you’re about to create. Arrange half of the cubed angel food cake evenly across the bottom to form a fluffy, springy base for this heavenly dessert.
Step 5: Spoon on half of the cherry pie filling
Next, spoon over half of the luscious cherry pie filling, letting the bright cherries and syrup spread evenly across the cake layer. This burst of color and fruitiness makes this Heaven On Earth Cake Recipe truly come alive.
Step 6: Add half of the pudding mixture
Spread half of the creamy pudding mixture over the cherry layer, smoothing it out gently so each bite will have that perfect balance of creamy sweetness and fruity zing.
Step 7: Repeat the layers
Repeat the layers exactly as before with the remaining cake cubes, cherry pie filling, and pudding mixture. This creates a dessert that is as beautiful as it is delicious, stacking flavors and textures just right.
Step 8: Finish with the remaining Cool Whip
Top your masterpiece with the rest of the Cool Whip. This final layer adds the perfect light and fluffy finish, making this dessert extra inviting and dreamy.
Step 9: Garnish the top (optional)
Add a sprinkle of sliced berries like strawberries or blueberries to add a fresh and colorful touch that contrasts beautifully with the creamy layers underneath.
Step 10: Chill before serving
Refrigerate the Heaven On Earth Cake Recipe for at least two hours. This chill time allows all the flavors to marry and the pudding layers to set perfectly—trust me, the wait is totally worth it.
How to Serve Heaven On Earth Cake Recipe

Garnishes
Fresh berries, a sprig of mint, or even a dusting of powdered sugar can transform this dessert from delicious to downright stunning. These little visual and flavor accents elevate the presentation and brighten each bite.
Side Dishes
This cake pairs wonderfully with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a simple cup of robust coffee for a balanced finish to your meal. If you want something lighter, fresh fruit salad or a citrus sorbet also complements the sweet, creamy layers perfectly.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve this dessert in individual glass cups or mason jars for personal servings at parties, or layer it in a trifle bowl for a dramatic centerpiece. For a fun twist, use flavored angel food cake or mix up the fruit filling seasonally to make this recipe your own.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep any leftovers covered tightly in the refrigerator. The cake will stay fresh and creamy for up to three days—making it a fantastic choice for prepping ahead or enjoying a few extra indulgent moments.
Freezing
This dessert doesn’t freeze well due to its creamy pudding and whipped topping layers, which can separate upon thawing. It’s best enjoyed fresh or refrigerated between servings.
Reheating
Since this is a cold dessert, reheating is not recommended. Instead, bring leftovers to room temperature for about 15 minutes if you prefer a less chilled experience while still enjoying the full flavors and textures.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of cake instead of angel food cake?
Absolutely! While angel food cake gives a light and airy texture, you can substitute with sponge cake or pound cake. Just keep in mind it may alter the overall lightness of the dessert slightly.
Is there a way to make this dessert dairy-free?
Yes, you can swap the milk for almond or oat milk, use dairy-free pudding mix and sour cream alternatives, and replace Cool Whip with a coconut whipped topping. It won’t taste exactly the same but will still be delicious!
Can I prepare this Heaven On Earth Cake Recipe in advance?
Definitely! In fact, making it several hours or even a day ahead allows the flavors to develop fully, making it even more flavorful and moist.
What’s the purpose of sour cream in this recipe?
Sour cream adds a subtle tang and richness that balances the sweetness from the pudding and cherry pie filling, enhancing the overall flavor complexity and creaminess.
Can I use fresh cherries instead of pie filling?
Fresh cherries can work if simmered with sugar to create that syrupy consistency of pie filling. Without the syrup, the dessert might turn out less moist and flavorful.
Final Thoughts
Trust me when I say the Heaven On Earth Cake Recipe is the kind of dessert that you’ll find yourself making again and again because it never fails to impress and delight. It’s effortless, versatile, and oh-so-satisfying—a true joy to share with family and friends whenever you want to sprinkle a bit of sweetness into your day.
Print
Heaven On Earth Cake Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Description
Heaven On Earth Cake is a luscious no-bake layered dessert featuring airy angel food cake cubes, sweet cherry pie filling, creamy vanilla pudding mixed with sour cream, and fluffy Cool Whip. This delightful trifle-style cake is easy to assemble, requires minimal prep time, and needs to chill in the refrigerator to allow flavors to meld perfectly. Garnished with fresh berries, it makes an impressive and refreshing treat for gatherings or special occasions.
Ingredients
Cake Layer
- 14 oz prepared angel food cake (store-bought or homemade), cut into cubes
Fruit Layer
- 1 can (21 oz) cherry pie filling
Pudding Mixture
- 1 box (3.4 oz) instant vanilla pudding mix
- 1½ cups whole milk (or half & half for richer texture)
- 1 cup sour cream
- 8 oz Cool Whip, thawed (divided)
Garnish
- ¼ cup sliced berries (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare Pudding: In a medium bowl, whisk together the instant vanilla pudding mix and milk until the mixture thickens, which takes about 2 minutes.
- Mix Sour Cream: Stir the sour cream into the thickened pudding until the texture is smooth and fully combined.
- Fold Cool Whip: Gently fold in half of the Cool Whip into the pudding mixture to maintain a light, fluffy texture.
- First Cake Layer: In a large trifle bowl or clear glass dish, evenly spread half of the cubed angel food cake on the bottom as the base layer.
- First Cherry Layer: Spoon half of the cherry pie filling evenly over the cake layer to add fruity sweetness.
- First Pudding Layer: Spread half of the pudding mixture over the cherry pie filling layer.
- Repeat Layers: Repeat the layering process with the remaining angel food cake cubes, cherry pie filling, and pudding mixture, building up the dessert.
- Top with Cool Whip: Finish by spreading the remaining Cool Whip evenly on top of the final pudding layer for a light, creamy finish.
- Garnish: Optionally, garnish the top with sliced berries for a fresh and colorful presentation.
- Chill Dessert: Refrigerate the trifle for at least 2 hours to allow the layers to set and the flavors to meld before serving.
Notes
- For a richer pudding, substitute whole milk with half & half.
- Can be prepared a day ahead and refrigerated to enhance flavors.
- Use fresh or frozen berries for garnish depending on availability.
- Make sure the Cool Whip is fully thawed before folding to avoid clumping.
- This dessert is best served chilled to maintain texture and flavor balance.

