Heaven on Earth Cake is a heavenly dessert made with layers of fluffy angel food cake cubes, tart cherry pie filling, creamy pudding, and Cool Whip topped with salty roasted nuts. Easy make ahead icebox cake for holidays or family get-togethers any time of year.
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I've always had a thing for angel food cake -- and doctoring up a box of angel food cake mix.
For proof, look no further than 2-ingredient Orange Angel Food Cake, Chocolate Angel Food Cake, Pumpkin Angel Food Cake, Strawberry Angel Food Cake, and Pumpkin Angel Food Cake Roll with Lemon Filling.
And that's not even all of them.
What is Heaven on Earth Cake?
If you're an angel food cake fan, you're going to love Heaven on Earth Cake.
It's an easy refrigerator cake made with delicious layers of angel cake, pie filling, creamy pudding, and Cool Whip.
Some Heaven on Earth Cake recipes call for swirling part of the pie filling on top of the Cool Whip. It's pretty and everything, but I tried it and there wasn't enough filling for inside the cake. I also found the pudding was too diluted with milk and sour cream.
So I present to you my Heaven on Earth Cake recipe. It's made with plenty of cherry pie filling, layers of moist angel food cake, creamy, flavorful pistachio pudding, Cool Whip, and toasted pistachios.
It's pretty much a cherry trifle in a 9x13 pan.
I used cherry pie filling and pistachio pudding because I love the flavor and color combination. Wouldn't it be a pretty dessert for Christmas?
But I think I would equally love blueberry pie filling and lemon pudding, strawberry pie filling and cheesecake pudding, or apple pie filling and French vanilla pudding.
Why You're Going to Love This Recipe
- Fast and easy recipe with simple ingredients
- Great dessert to modify with your favorite flavors of cake, pie filling, and pudding
- No bake dessert recipe that's a sure crowd pleaser
Ingredients
Angel food cake. You can use a store-bought angel food cake, homemade from your favorite angel food cake recipe, or baked from a box mix. If you bake the cake, be sure to let it cool completely before cutting it.
Cherry pie filling. Spread one full can of pie filling between the layers of cake to ensure the taste of sweet cherries in every bite.
Instant pistachio pudding mix. Two 4-serving boxes of instant pudding mixed with milk and sour cream make a thick, rich, creamy pudding with plenty of pistachio flavor.
Cool Whip. You can also use Truwhip as an alternative.
Variations
Cake. Try substituting cubes of pound cake or your favorite flavor of cake like white, vanilla, lemon cake, strawberry, or chocolate cake.
Pudding. Play around with a different flavor of pudding. Creamy vanilla pudding is a classic choice for a heaven on earth cake recipe, but French vanilla, cheesecake, white chocolate, lemon, or chocolate pudding would all be delicious.
Pie filling. Blueberry pie filling, lemon pie filling, strawberry pie filling, apple pie filling ... all good choices!
Toppings. The sky's the limit here. Add a swirl of extra pie filling to the whipped cream or sprinkle the top of the cake with almond slivers or slices, chopped walnuts or pecans, crushed cookies, chocolate chips, toasted coconut, or toffee bits.
Serving dish. This colorful layered cake would look stunning in a trifle bowl or large clear bowl with straight sides.
How to Make Heaven on Earth Cake
1. Cut the angel food cake into 1-inch cubes.
With a serrated knife, use a sawing motion to cut the cake in half vertically. Cut each half horizontally into thirds.
Cut each section into 3 rows, then cut crosswise into cubes.
2. Make the sour cream pudding mixture.
In a large bowl, whisk the pudding mix, milk, and sour cream together for 2 minutes until smooth. Let it sit for about 5 minutes.
3. Assemble the cake.
Layer half of the cake cubes in a 9 x 13 cake pan.
Spread the cherry filling evenly over the cake cubes.
Layer the remaining angel food cake cubes over the pie filling.
Dollop the pudding on top of the cake and spread it in an even layer.
4. Top with Cool Whip.
Evenly spread Cool Whip on top of the pudding layer.
5. Chill, add pistachios, and enjoy!
Cover and chill the dessert in the refrigerator for at least 6 hours. Chilling overnight is best to give the layers of angel food cake time to absorb some of the moisture from the pudding and pie filling.
Before serving, sprinkle the chopped pistachios over the Cool Whip.
Use a sharp knife to cut the cake into pieces, or serve with a large serving spoon. If desired, serve with fresh berries or fresh fruits.
Storage
Store leftover cake in the refrigerator in a covered baking dish or airtight container for 3-4 days.
Make Ahead
Heaven on Earth cake is a great recipe to make ahead of time because it's best served the next day!
Success Tips
- For easiest cutting, use a knife with a serrated blade to cut the angel food cake.
- If the soft angel food cake is difficult to cut, pop it in the freezer to firm it up a bit.
- Give the completed dessert plenty of chilling time, overnight is best.
FAQs
No, freezing this cake is not recommended as it doesn't hold up well when thawed.
If you're making a homemade angel food cake or angel food cake from a box mix, you can bake and cool the cake in advance, wrap it in plastic wrap, and freeze it. When you're ready to make the recipe, let the cake thaw almost all the way -- it'll be easier to cut. Make sure the cake is completely thawed when you assemble the dessert.
Absolutely. Use your favorite flavor of pudding like vanilla, lemon, chocolate, cheesecake, white chocolate, or whatever you love.
Angel food cake is the perfect cake for this recipe. The fluffy texture of the cake keeps the dessert light even when it soaks up some of the moisture from the pie filling and pudding.
You can use a store-bought angel food cake, homemade angel food cake, or angel food cake from a box mix. If you bake the cake, be sure to let it cool completely before cutting it and layering it into the dessert.
More Delicious Dessert Recipes
Stuff I Use
This Nordic Ware angel food cake pan has handy feet for cooling the cake upside down.
Pyrex Easy Grab baking dishes have nice, big handles and convenient lids.
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Heaven on Earth Cake
Ingredients
- 1 angel food cake baked from a mix, store-bought, or homemade
- 21 ounces cherry pie filling
- 2 boxes instant pistachio pudding 4-serving size boxes
- 2 ½ cups milk
- 1 cup sour cream
- 8 ounces Cool Whip
- ⅓ cup chopped pistachios
Instructions
- Cut the angel food cake into 1" cubes.
- In a large bowl, whisk the pudding mix, milk, and sour cream together for 2 minutes until smooth. Let it sit for about 5 minutes. Set aside.
- Layer ½ of the cubes in a 9 x 13 pan. Spread the cherry pie filling evenly over the cake cubes.
- Layer the rest of the angel food cake over the pie filling.
- Dollop the pudding over the cake and spread it in an even layer. Evenly spread the Cool Whip over the pudding layer.
- Cover and chill the dessert in the refrigerator for at least 6 hours, but overnight is best.
- Before serving, sprinkle the chopped pistachios over the Cool Whip.
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