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Heaven On Earth Cake

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close up shot of heaven on earth cake topped with almonds in a dish with a slice missing
Creamy, decadent, and full of yummy cherries and cream, this heaven on Earth cake is worthy of its name. Whip up this heavenly dessert next time you are craving a sweet treat.
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Table of Contents
  1. Heaven On Earth Cake Ingredients
  2. Substitutions And Additions
  3. How To Make This Heaven On Earth Cake Recipe
  4. How To Serve
  5. Storage
  6. Frequently Asked Questions
  7. More Recipes You’ll Love
  8. JUMP TO RECIPE

Heaven on Earth cake describes this delicious trifle-esque dessert perfectly. Moist angel food cake topped with tart cherry pie filling, creamy pudding, and lightly whipped cream makes this cake out of this world!

heaven on earth cake topped with almonds in a dish with a slice missing

Heaven On Earth Cake Ingredients

heaven on earth cake raw ingredients that are labeled
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The Heaven on Earth cake is a delectable dessert that combines the light and airy sweetness of angel food cake with the fruity delight of cherry pie filling.

The creamy and rich vanilla pudding mix, mixed with sour cream, adds a velvety layer of flavor to this irresistible dessert.

You’ll need:

  • 1 angel food cake (a pre-made cake or bake a boxed angel food cake mix and let it cool)
  • 1 can (540 milliliters, 18 ounces) of cherry pie filling
  • 1 package (4-serving) of instant vanilla pudding mix (102 grams, 3.6 ounces) 
  • 1½ cups of milk (2%)
  • 1 cup of sour cream
  • 8 ounces of Cool Whip
  • Sliced almonds for garnish, optional

Substitutions And Additions

PIE FILLING: Instead of cherry pie filling, you could choose from so many other great pie fillings.

Try strawberry, raspberry, blueberry, or even lemon pie filling. How about apple pie filling in the fall?

CAKE: You could swap out the angel food cake for pound cake, chocolate cake, vanilla sponge cake or even brownies.

PUDDING: If you are changing up the filling or cake, you could also pick a different pudding flavor. The sky’s the limit with this cake!

COOL WHIP: If you prefer homemade whipped cream, it would work fine in place of the Cool Whip.

SOUR CREAM: If you prefer, you could also substitute plain Greek yogurt for the sour cream in this recipe.

ALCOHOL: If you are serving this cake to adults, you could soak the cake cubes in sherry or wine first for a grown-up version.

How To Make This Heaven On Earth Cake Recipe

Once you have the angel food cake cut, you will layer the ingredients in the baking pan and let it chill in the fridge. That’s all there is to it!

STEP ONE: Cut the cooled angel food cake into cubes about 1 inch in size. 

OUR RECIPE DEVELOPER SAYS

If you are baking the cake yourself for this recipe, make sure to let it cool fully before cutting it so that it doesn’t make the other ingredients too warm.

The best knife to use when cutting angel food cake is one with a serrated blade, it will cut the cake easier, and you won’t lose the airy, fluffy texture of the cake.

angel food cake cut into cubes on a wooden board

STEP TWO: Layer half of the cake pieces evenly in the bottom of a 9×9 cake pan (metal or glass).

PRO TIP:

If you have a trifle bowl and are serving this at a potluck, the trifle bowl would show the fancy layers of this dessert even better.

STEP THREE: Spread ⅔ of the cherry pie filling evenly over the cake and then layer the remaining cubed cake over top of the pie filling.

cherry pie filling spread over cake pieces in a dish

STEP FOUR: In a medium bowl, using an electric mixer, combine pudding mix, milk, and sour cream until smooth, about two minutes.

pudding mix, milk, and sour cream stirred together

STEP FIVE: Pour the pudding mixture evenly over the top of the cake.

pudding poured over cake in a pan

STEP SIX: Spread the Cool Whip evenly over the pudding layer.

STEP SEVEN: Drop and spread the remaining pie filling over the top.

cherry filling being spread over cake

STEP EIGHT: Place in the fridge and let chill four to five hours before serving. 

PRO TIP:

This cake needs at least 4 to 5 hours in the fridge so that the layers of cake can soak up all of the flavors. Overnight is even better.

STEP NINE: Sprinkle slivered almonds on top of the cake before you serve it (optional).

How To Serve

You won’t even need a knife to serve up this cherry heaven on Earth cake. Scoop it onto a plate or into bowls and add fresh berries or other fresh fruits and another dollop of whipped cream on top.

How about adding vanilla ice cream on the side? You will have a sure crowd-pleaser no matter how you choose to serve it!

Make this heavenly cake recipe for an easy summertime dessert alongside our iced tea, raspberry iced tea, sweet peach iced tea, or our southern strawberry sweet tea to wash it down.

There are so many ways you can make an easy treat filled with whipped cream and your favorite flavors.

Try our strawberry angel food cake, strawberry delight, Oreo delight, or our butterscotch delight for more no-bake desserts.

Try our blackberry cobbler for another fruit dessert option.

Storage

IN THE FRIDGE: Store the leftovers in the refrigerator in a sealed food storage container for one to two days. 

IN THE FREEZER: We don’t recommend freezing this recipe.

a slice of heaven on earth cake topped with almonds ion a plate

This irresistible cherry trifle-style cake comes together so quickly in a perfect harmony of flavors. The delicious layers of angel cake soak up the cherry pie filling and creamy vanilla pudding flavors so nicely for a divine dessert and make this the best heaven on Earth cake around.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I freeze this recipe?

We don’t recommend freezing this recipe as the consistency would change upon thawing.

Can I make this recipe ahead of time?

This recipe needs to sit in the fridge for several hours to soak in all the yummy flavors, so it is best to make it the day before serving.

Can I change the flavor of pie filling?

The cherries are delicious, but you could switch it out for any flavor of pie filling you’d like. Lemon, strawberry, raspberry, and blueberry would all be delicious!

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close up shot of heaven on earth cake topped with almonds in a dish with a slice missing

Heaven on Earth Cake

5 from 92 votes
Creamy, decadent, and full of yummy cherries and cream, this heaven on Earth cake is worthy of its name. Whip up this heavenly dessert next time you are craving a sweet treat.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Total Time 8 hours 15 minutes
Servings 10

Ingredients
  

  • 1 angel food cake, a pre-made cake or bake a boxed angel food cake mix and let it cool
  • 1 can cherry pie filling, 540 milliliters, 18 ounces
  • 1 package 4-serving instant vanilla pudding mix, 102 grams, 3.6 ounces
  • cups milk, 2%
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 8 ounces Cool Whip
  • sliced almonds, optional garnish

Instructions
 

  • Cut the cooled angel food cake into cubes about 1 inch in size.
  • Layer half of the cake pieces evenly in the bottom of a 9×9 cake pan (metal or glass).
  • Spread ⅔ of the cherry pie filling evenly over the cake.
  • Layer the last half of the cake cubes over the cherry pie filling.
  • In a medium bowl stir together the pudding mix, milk, and sour cream until smooth, about 2 minutes. Spread evenly over the top of the cake.
  • Spread the Cool Whip evenly over top of the pudding layer. Drop and spread the rest of the cherry pie filling over the top.
  • Place in the fridge and let chill 4 to 5 hours before serving.
  • Sprinkle slivered almonds on top of the cake before you serve it, optional.

Video

Notes

  • If you are baking the cake yourself for this recipe, make sure to let it cool fully before cutting it so that it doesn’t make the other ingredients too warm.
  • The best knife to use when cutting angel food cake is one with a serrated blade, it will cut the cake easier, and you won’t lose the airy, fluffy texture of the cake.
  • If you have a trifle bowl and are serving this at a potluck, the trifle bowl would show the fancy layers of this dessert even better.
  • This cake needs at least 4 to 5 hours in the fridge so that the layers of cake can soak up all of the flavors. Overnight is even better.

Nutrition

Calories: 292kcal | Carbohydrates: 54g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 19mg | Sodium: 296mg | Potassium: 215mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 24g | Vitamin A: 364IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 127mg | Iron: 1mg
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Proudly Prepared by the Spaceships Kitchen

This recipe was developed, tested, cooked and photographed by the Spaceships Kitchen. From our dinner table to yours, we hope you think it's out of this world!

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    Comments

  1. Alesha Womble says

    Can you take out the sour cream if someone doesn’t like it? Or can you not taste it in this recipe.

  2. Sandy says

    5 stars
    Good Morning Stephanie:

    Thank you for emailing these scrumptious recipes. I am eager to try them.
    They all look yummy.. Once again, thank you.
    Sandy

  3. Deb Carmicheal says

    5 stars
    My sister in law makes this dessert and it so good and refreshing. I’ll be making this very soon, too.

    • Audra says

      You can use almond milk, you just have to use less than dairy milk. I found measurements a while back and they worked beautifully. I want to say I used 1 1/4 cups of almond milk compared to the 2 cups of regular milk for the small boxes but it’s been a while.

  4. Christine B. says

    5 stars
    I am a diabetic and I made this recipe using the angel food cake n sugar free pudding,sugar free cherry pie filling and sugar free cool whip.and low fat sour cream. and it turned out wonderful. Thank you.

  5. Shawn C Brown says

    Is it purposeful that you are using less milk than called for in the pudding mix? At least the pursuing mix I’m using calls for 2 cups of milk. Is this to thicken it more?

  6. Tess Walters says

    5 stars
    I actually made this with chocolate Angel Food cake and a can of crushed pineapple that I drained really good. I made some chopped pecans and sprinkle those on the top.

    • Layne Kangas says

      Hi, Liz – you could make this with another fruit pie filling. I would guess you could make your own filling somehow but since we haven’t tested it like that, I can’t say for certain how to best make that work. Enjoy!

  7. Susie says

    5 stars
    Hi, this an OMG cake! Love it. I first tried it 3 weeks ago at a friend’s belated
    HOLIDAY gathering. I fell in love w it right away. In fact I contacted my friend who made it earlier today for the recipe thinking that it w b good to serve by my pool for summer pool parties.

    • Layne Kangas says

      Hi, Jean – we haven’t tried it with fresh raspberries. I would use raspberry pie filling and then top with fresh berries when serving, I think. Enjoy!

  8. Cindy King says

    Has anyone tried it with sugar free pudding and cool whip? Thinking of trying it for Easter. Trying to cut sone of sugar out.

  9. Cindy Hoffman says

    Can you use a different kind of fruit besides cherries; like canned blueberries, blackberries, or raspberries?

  10. Donna DeGraw says

    5 stars
    I would love to try this our 54 years married, but we dated two years then married. I would love make for the three of us.
    Donna

  11. Kimberly says

    5 stars
    I made this before and was so good. This time I’m using pound cake and strawberry pie filling. Gas anyone used pound cake before?

  12. Diane Grim says

    5 stars
    Hi! I am a lover of pudding, but I am old fashioned. I did the the Cook N Stir Pudding. To me, makes a big difference. 😉🥰💗
    Thank You!
    Diane

  13. Cheryl Warner says

    5 stars
    Why couldn’t you use cream cheese instead of the sour cream and I’d use strawberries thickened in it’s juice. I can’t wait to try this and other recipes on this sight.

  14. Kathleen Hobbs says

    5 stars
    I would try this recipe with strawberries but also love the idea of the chocolate drizzle on top! Thanks for the great recipe.

  15. Halle Lisette Pierce says

    5 stars
    I would add chocolate drizzle in top. Wonderful recipe! Look forward to trying this! Thanks

  16. Judith M Goodman says

    I think it sounds delicious as it is and could use strawberries but cherries sound good to me, the angelfood cake seems perfect for the recipe and yes to the chocolate drizzle !!! might try lemon pudding or just stick to the vanilla but love the way it seems to me already

  17. Georgia says

    5 stars
    OMG this is on the menu for this weekend, but I think I’m going to use blueberries instead of cherries. I think when I try it with cherries I will make it with a chocolate cake.

  18. Sally says

    5 stars
    I make something similar but this looks really good. I made 2 of these for a picnic. I used blueberry and cherry. One with blueberry inside and cherry on top and one with cherry inside and blueberry on top. Perfect for July 4th. I’m going to try this recipe next week

  19. Mary says

    5 stars
    I think this sounds fantastic and will have to try it. I would drizzle chocolate over the top after putting the remaining cherries on the whipped cream.
    I think making this in the Fall with canned apples would be wonderful. You could then drizzle a caramel topping over it. This is making me hungry! 🙂

  20. Lynn says

    5 stars
    This is practically perfect. My only frustration is not being able to take more of the white sugar out of the recipe. I think cheesecake and white chocolate pudding mixes would be excellent.

  21. Morgan Rutledge says

    5 stars
    I would use, Strawberries and add a light chocolate drizzle. This cake looks amazing and I can’t wait to give it a try!!

  22. Terri Baldwin says

    5 stars
    Sounds delicious! I would love to try this with strawberries and a chocolate drizzle. I think I would stick with the angel food cake and the vanilla pudding.

  23. Melissa B Mitchell says

    This sounds delicious! I would use either raspberry (for me) or lemon (for my husband and/or daughter) instead f the cherry pie filling!

  24. Betty Schmitt says

    5 stars
    Recipe sounds delicious. I would make it with strawberries or raspberries as I am not a cherries fan.

  25. Maureen Sneen says

    A pudding flavor that would also work well with this recipe is chocolate pudding. Chocolate and cherries are always a hit.
    Garnish with melted ganache piping over the top of this dessert…wow!

  26. Terri Clark says

    5 stars
    I’d like to try it with Strawberries, and a no-bake cheesecake filling instead of the pudding. Drizzle a strawberry syrup on top. Change it up occasionally with Strawberries and bananas, and switch back and forth between the pudding and the cheesecake filling. Yummm!!

  27. Lynn Tilley says

    5 stars
    This looks and sounds delicious!! Instead of cherries I would use strawberries when I make this cake!! Thanks for sharing!!

  28. Kelli says

    5 stars
    I wouldn’t change a thing! It looks so delicious just the way it is. Maybe after trying this way, I might switch it up. Strawberries and chocolate drizzle but still use the vanilla pudding. Maybe some lightly candied pecans on top.

  29. Bobbie van says

    5 stars
    I would try strawberries. You would have to make a tapioca/water pudding first. Then ad the fresh strawberries. You could also add cream cheese instead of sour cream

  30. Bonnie West says

    5 stars
    Would try cheesecake pudding or no bake cheesecake filling. Would love to try with peach pie filling. No chocolate.

  31. Deborah says

    5 stars
    This looks so delish. I’ve got to make it. I also would like to make it with blueberries.

    Also make it with creamy peanut butter filling with bananas or chocolate filling with cherries.

    Could use pound cake too.

  32. Doris McCann says

    5 stars
    I would just use Strawberry Pie Filling instead of the Cherry Pie Filling. Made one like this somewhat and it was great.

  33. Linda Slagle says

    5 stars
    I think I might use a chocolate drizzle on this cake and I can see using this recipe using a additional assorted berries, especially blueberries.

  34. Jackie Miller says

    This cake looks amazing! My question is this…could this be made into cupcake?
    I can’t wait to try this

    • Layne Kangas says

      Hi, Jackie – I don’t know how it would hold up in cupcake form. You could probably layer items into cupcake liners but people would probably need a spoon to eat it!

  35. Donna Walker says

    This looks so good. I think this would work good with chocolate pudding and chocolate pound cake! Like a Black Forrest No Bake Dessert. With a few cherries and chocolate curls on top.

  36. Marcia Martin says

    5 stars
    I also think Fresh strawberries 🍓 and some crushed pineapple and banana bits then chocolate drizzle to give it a banana split flavor.?????some crushed pecans sprinkled over?

  37. Ellie Walker says

    I would change angel food cake for pound cake, there is more structure to pound cake & will hold entire cake together much better

  38. GLORIA CARDENAS says

    5 stars
    I love easy to make recipes. So this is a dessert I’d make.
    I would use strawberries and a cheesecake filing and cool whip.
    Thank you for sharing

  39. Rose Seabron says

    5 stars
    This cake looks and tastes absolutely delicious. You asked for some variations. Here are a few I had in mind. Peach cobbler topping with vanilla pudding yelllow butter cake mix- peaches and cream. Or maybe raspberry friuit cobbler topping lemon
    Pudding or lemon curd on top of lemon cake, or chocolate pudding on top of chocolate devils food cake topped with crushed up Oreos chocolate chips chocolate and vanilla and walnuts and pecans with a hot fudge drizzle. Or cranberry orange sauce topping spice raisin cake.
    Just some ideas I ‘m throwing out there!!!
    Sincerely,
    Rose Seabron
    rmseabron0104@yahoo.com

  40. Jana Vaughn says

    This looks fabulous! However, I would probably use sliced macerated strawberries or blackberries in summer! Can’t wait to try this! Thank you for the recipe.

  41. Linda says

    5 stars
    I would double the cake recipe, use a 9 X 13 cake pan, use a can of cherry pie filling for one layer and a can of blueberry pie filling for the second lawyer. Red – White – Blue for any of the patriotic holidays

  42. Beverly Lloyd says

    5 stars
    Haven’t made this yet but it sounds delicious. I might make it with either strawberry or blueberry pie filling.

  43. Lynette Dyas says

    This is heaven! I bet it would be good with lemon pudding or using strawberry or raspberry filling. Possibilities are endless!

  44. Cheryl Ailes says

    I made heaven on earth cake. I made it with white cake mix and strawberries. My family loved it. My great grandson wants me to make it all the time. Thank you for the recipe.

  45. Jane says

    I wonder if you could change it up by using sliced up bananas as your fruit. Or maybe a blend of different kinds of your favorite fruits.

  46. Jane J says

    5 stars
    I’d like to change it up by using bananas as my fruit or maybe even a blend of some of my favorite fruits like blueberries and strawberries with the bananas.

  47. Filip Filipeu says

    5 stars
    This cake is so delicious, fresh and healthy. If we switch to blueberry can use the say ingredient? If not would it be possible to provide new update.
    Thank you Filip

  48. Rebecca McKnight says

    I’m thinking canned pineapple might taste good for summertime. The cherry pie filling sounds wonderful!

  49. Lorraine says

    5 stars
    Made this for a dinner party with friends. Used whipping cream, and chocolate shavings instead of the almonds …… We all agreed it was ‘ Heaven on Earth ‘ !!

  50. I love the majority of the recipes I see on here and have tried a few of them beautiful says

    5 stars
    Please keep posting all these beautiful recipes I love the fact that sometimes their simple and easy to recreate. Not to mention they’re flavorsome

  51. Kathy says

    5 stars
    I have made this twice now. The second time I used 2 cans of cherry pie filling and doubled the angel food. The rest I left the same and it came out amazing!!! Both ways has been a BIG time crowd pleaser!!

  52. Lana says

    5 stars
    I wouldn’t change anything in this recipe. I adore taste of cherries so wouldn’t try another fruit for my taste. Sounds absolutely delicious, and thank you so much for sharing this!

  53. Effie says

    5 stars
    I made this with blueberry pie filling turned delicious my problem is I didn’t get a chance to get pic because hubby and family started eating it.they loved it.i gave the recipe to everyone I no.i will make it again.thank you for the recipe will make it for the holidays

  54. Allie Lawson-Moen says

    5 stars
    I’ve made this several times already with Cherry filling. A dear friend got married and wanted a non-traditional “cake” for her reception. I stepped up with this. The reception is tomorrow! Per her request, I made 6 strawberry and 2 lemon crème!! Her favorite desserts are angel food cake and strawberries. I’m excited to see how the reactions will be!

  55. Sharon Seiber says

    5 stars
    Any low-carb and sugar recipes would be greatly appreciated. My son is a new diabetic and would love something pretty and delicious for dessert! I wonder if it could be made with Stevia? This recipe sure sounds great!

    • Cindy says

      5 stars
      I make this with store bought sugar free angel good cake, no sugar added cherry pie filling and sugar free cool whip. It is delicious.

    • Margie says

      I’m sure you know by now that sugar free items sometimes have more carbs than reg ingredients. My daughter and granddaughter are both type 1 diabetics. Diagnosed 2 weeks apart when my granddaughter was only 2 yrs old. She’s 20 now;). They both have eaten a reg helping of this and take insulin according.
      Not very often but occasionally.

  56. George Moy says

    I haven’t made that recipe on that cake yet, but judging it from what it looks like, it reminds me of a parfait,is it a giantic parfait?because if it is count me in for one,thanks for the recipe and idea,I’ve been looking for a cake/whipped topping dessert for a long time.

  57. Carole A Lee says

    This recipe looks amazing. I would love to try it, but my husband isn’t into cherries. Is there another canned fruit that can be used instead?

  58. Susan G says

    5 stars
    This is now one of my top five desserts!!! Easy too! I used strawberry filling and substituted the
    angel food for a shortbread crust. The crust is made with crushed shortbread cookies, butter, and a small amount of sugar. I poured the strawberry right on top and then the pudding mixture. So delicious!! A keeper!

  59. Susan G. says

    5 stars
    This is now one of my top five desserts!!! Easy too! I used strawberry filling and substituted the
    angel food for a shortbread crust. The crust is made with crushed shortbread cookies, butter, and a small amount of sugar. I poured the strawberry right on top and then the pudding mixture. So delicious!! A keeper!

  60. Lee says

    5 stars
    Everyone loved this dessert- from my 94 year old mother to my 24 year old nephew. This recipe is a “keeper!” I just made it for the second time in two weeks!

  61. Rebecca Cronk says

    5 stars
    Has any one ever, tried soaking there angel food cake with cherry vanilla Dr. Pepper just a thought that might add more. Going to try for party in May. Thanks

  62. Yvette Fonseca says

    5 stars
    Having a family Potluck today, I was nominated to bring dessert, wasn’t sure what to bring. After reading this recipe, have decided to make this. I have all the ingredients and will just double the recipe. Thank you so much.

  63. Carol A Tumulty says

    Many of your recipes call for instant pudding. My problem is that my grandson is intolerant to artifical food dyes which is very common amonst special needs populations. I cannot find instant pudding that doesn’t have these dyes. Do you know of a source? I want to also say that the recipes are perfectly designed for using to teach a challenged person how to follow the them.
    Carol

    • Layne Kangas says

      Hi, Carol – I’m glad you’re enjoying our recipes! I am not sure of a substitute unfortunately. Maybe Google and see if there are any suggestions that could work with his dietary needs? Hopefully someone will have shared something online that could help. Good luck!

  64. Lavina says

    Anxious to try your no bake dessert s and perhaps others.

    Recipes that are easy for a handicap lady on a wheel chair you. Thank you.

  65. renee says

    This looks really good, but I’m not big on cherry stuff. Wonder how it would be with strawberry pie filling. Has anyone tried it with Strawberry pie filling??? Thanks

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