Heaven on Earth Cake

I love baking from scratch, but sometimes it’s nice to have a few store-bought shortcuts in your back pocket to save the day when life gets busy. These easy-to-prep recipes often become accidental favorites. One such vintage dessert is heaven on earth cake, which requires only seven ingredients—four of which are boxed instant pudding, angel food cake, cherry pie filling and frozen whipped topping.

Heaven on earth cake is a godsend for several reasons. First, it requires absolutely zero baking—making it the perfect dessert for the hottest days and nights of the year. Second, this no-bake dessert is downright delicious. The light and airy pieces of angel food cake soak up all the wonderful flavors from the layers of cherry pie filling and vanilla cream. Topped with a heavenly layer of whipped topping, swirls of additional cherry and slivered almonds for crunch, it’s a crowd-pleasing trifle dessert that will leave everyone praying that you’ll share the recipe.

Ingredients for Heaven on Earth Cake

• Angel food cake: Heaven on earth cake is one of the best recipes with angel food cake. Simply unmold the cake from the packaging and cut it into 1-inch cubes.
• Cherry pie filling: For convenience, head to the baking aisle of your supermarket and grab a single 21-ounce can of cherry pie filling to make this cake. Try one of our tricks for making canned cherry pie filling homemade, like adding a few spoonfuls of cherry jam. You can also use the filling from your favorite homemade cherry pie recipe.
• Vanilla instant pudding mix: A box of pudding mix is the secret to the filling of this heaven on earth cake. When it’s combined with the Greek yogurt and half-and-half cream, the filling tastes like it came straight from your dreams.
• Greek yogurt: A small amount of rich and creamy Greek yogurt thickens the vanilla filling and lends it some subtle tang.
• Half-and-half cream: While you could opt for whole milk, we love the added richness half-and-half gives the creamy vanilla pudding layer.
• Frozen whipped topping: A generous crown of fluffy whipped cream tops heaven on earth cake. Cool Whip recipes like this one often require thawing the container in the fridge for a few hours before using it in the dessert.
• Slivered almonds: A sprinkle of slivered almonds is the perfect garnish for this easy no-bake dessert.

Directions

Step 1: Add a layer of angel food cake cubes

Arrange half of the cubed angel food cake in the bottom of a deep 9×9-inch glass baking pan or trifle dish.

Editor’s Tip: For best results, choose a baking dish that’s at least 2 inches deep to ensure you have space for the luscious layers of this heaven on earth cake. As you work, you may think you’re not going to have room for everything, but the angel food cake is very spongy, so it will compact down as you add the various layers.

Step 2: Layer with pie filling and more cake

Spread one cup of the cherry pie filling over the cake in an even layer. Top it with the remaining cake pieces.

Step 3: Make the vanilla pudding cream

In a large bowl, whisk together the vanilla pudding, Greek yogurt and half-and-half or milk until the mixture is slightly thickened, about one minute.

Pour the pudding mixture over the cake and spread it into an even layer.

Editor’s Tip: Don’t let the pudding mixture set up completely. Ideally, you want it to still be a bit thin when you pour it over the cake pieces so it seeps into all the nooks and crannies of the cake.

Step 4: Finish with the whipped topping and more cherries

Spread the thawed whipped topping over the cake.

Dot the whipped topping with the remaining 1 cup of cherry pie filling. Use a sharp knife or toothpick to swirl the pie filling into the whipped topping to create a marbled appearance.

Step 5: Chill, garnish, then serve

Cover the cake, then refrigerate it for 8 to 12 hours. Before serving heaven on earth cake, garnish it with slivered almonds and then cut it into slices.

Heaven on Earth Cake Variations

• More fruity flavors: If you don’t enjoy cherry pie filling, you can use another pie filling flavor that you enjoy. Try blueberry, mixed berry or strawberry pie filling for an equally delicious and fresh heaven on earth cake.
• Add cream cheese: If you would like a richer, creamier, more indulgent filling, you can swap 8 ounces of softened cream cheese for the Greek yogurt. Beat the cream cheese first until it’s smooth, then add the pudding mix and half-and-half cream or milk. Beat the mixture on low until everything is incorporated, then beat it at a medium speed for one minute until it’s completely smooth.
• Homemade whipped cream: If you don’t love Cool Whip, you can top the cake with homemade whipped cream instead.

How to Store Heaven on Earth Cake

Due to the dairy in this recipe, heaven on earth cake must be kept refrigerated. Store it covered with storage wrap or in an airtight food storage container.

How long does heaven on earth cake last?

Heaven on earth cake is best enjoyed within two to three days for the best taste and texture, but it will stay fresh for four or five days.

Heaven on Earth Tips

Can you use homemade angel food cake for heaven on earth cake?

Of course. If you have time to spare, you can either grab a box of angel food cake mix from the baking aisle or use our favorite recipe for angel food cake to make one from scratch. As a fun variation, try making a chocolate angel food cake.

Can you use homemade pie filling for heaven on earth cake?

Certainly, we love using homemade cherry pie filling in recipes that call for a can of cherry pie filling, including treats like easy cherry dump cake and cherry cheese cupcakes.