This Heaven on Earth No Bake Cake is a dreamy, layered dessert with angel food cake, vanilla pudding, and cherry pie filling—the perfect easy treat for any potluck or party, no oven required!
For a cozy, bake‑and‑serve treat, check out Traditional Bread Pudding
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Key Takeaways
- No Oven Needed, Ever: This entire dessert comes together right on your countertop, which is a total lifesaver on those hot summer days or when your oven is already busy.
- Ready in 20 Minutes (Tops!): From start to chill, you can have this cake assembled in under 20 minutes. It’s the definition of a quick and easy recipe.
- The First to Go: I’m not kidding—every time I bring this to a party, BBQ, or potluck, it’s the first dessert to completely disappear. People always ask for the recipe!
- Totally Customizable: Don’t love cherry? No problem! You can swap it with almost any pie filling. For more easy dessert ideas, check out all of our sweet treats at Karen’s Flavor!
Why You’ll Love This Heaven on Earth No Bake Cake
- A Cloud in a Dish: You’ll absolutely love the fluffy, light-as-air texture of the angel food cake as it soaks up that creamy vanilla pudding. It’s just dreamy.
- The Perfect Flavor Balance: That sweet-tart pop from the cherry pie filling is the perfect counterpoint to the rich, creamy pudding layers. It just works!
- Effortless Wow-Factor: This is one of those desserts that looks like you spent hours on it, but it’s our little secret how simple it truly is.
- Like a Cool Hug: Trust me, every single spoonful is cool, refreshing, and deeply comforting. It’s pure joy on a warm afternoon.
- A Certified Favorite: It’s one of my all-time favorite easy desserts on Karen’s Flavor, and after one bite, I just know it’ll be one of yours, too.
Prefer something bright and citrusy? Try the Easy Key Lime Cake.
A Sweet Taste of Home
I still remember the first time I tasted this cake. I was probably around twelve, and it was spread out on a long potluck table at our annual neighborhood block party. The summer heat was the real deal that day, and I wasn’t interested in anything heavy. But then I saw this dish—a beautiful, fluffy white cloud topped with glistening cherries. It just looked so refreshing.
One bite, and I was hooked! It was cool, creamy, and so incredibly light. My mom’s friend, Mrs. Gable, had made it, and she happily shared the recipe with us. Over the years, this Heaven on Earth No Bake Cake became my go-to for everything from family BBQs to church functions. It’s more than just a recipe to me; it’s a sweet reminder of summer, community, and the simple, joyful food I love to share here at Karen’s Flavor. It’s a little slice of happiness, and I’m so excited for you to make your own memories with it.
Mini desserts more your style? We’ve got Butterfinger Caramel Crunch Mini Pies.
Ingredients for Heaven on Earth No Bake Cake
Here’s the simple list of ingredients you’ll need to pull this amazing dessert together. It’s all about easy-to-find items! For more simple recipes like this one, feel free to check out my latest posts!
| Ingredient | Notes/Substitutes |
| Angel Food Cake | A 1-pound store-bought cake saves so much time! You can also use a homemade one if you have it. |
| Instant Vanilla Pudding Mix | Make sure it’s the instant kind, not the cook-and-serve. A 5.1-ounce box is perfect. Sugar-free pudding also works great. |
| Whole Milk | This makes the pudding rich and creamy. I wouldn’t recommend swapping this for a lower-fat option if you want the best texture. |
| Sour Cream | Full-fat sour cream adds a wonderful, subtle tang that cuts the sweetness. In a pinch, plain full-fat Greek yogurt is a fantastic substitute. |
| Whipped Topping (like Cool Whip) | You’ll need an 8-ounce container, thawed. You can use stabilized homemade whipped cream, but Cool Whip provides that classic texture. |
| Cherry Pie Filling | A 21-ounce can is just the right amount. Feel free to get creative! Strawberry, blueberry, or even peach pie filling would be delicious. |
Chocolate lovers, dive into the Chocolate Cherry Cream Pie for layered indulgence.
Equipment Needed
The best part about this recipe is you don’t need any fancy gadgets! Here’s the short list of what to grab from your kitchen:
- A 9×13 inch baking dish: A standard glass or ceramic dish is perfect for getting those beautiful, clean layers. If you don’t have one, any similar-sized rectangular dish will do the trick.
- A large mixing bowl: You’ll need a good-sized bowl to mix the pudding filling without making a mess.
- A whisk: For getting that pudding perfectly smooth and lump-free.
- A flexible spatula: This is key for folding everything together gently and for spreading the layers evenly.
How to Make Heaven on Earth No Bake Cake Step-by-Step
This dessert comes together in just a few simple layers. It’s so easy, and the result is stunning! Follow along, and for more step-by-step guides, you can always explore all of our dessert recipes for more inspiration.
- PREPARE the cake. Using your hands or a serrated knife, tear or cut the angel food cake into 1-inch cubes. Spread half of these cubes evenly across the bottom of your 9×13 inch dish.
- WHISK the pudding mixture. In a large bowl, whisk together the instant vanilla pudding mix and the cold milk. Keep whisking for about 2 minutes, until you feel it start to thicken up nicely.
- FOLD in the creamy ingredients. Gently fold the sour cream and about half of the thawed whipped topping into the pudding mixture. Keep folding with a spatula just until everything is combined and the mixture is smooth and luscious.
- LAYER the pudding. Pour this entire glorious pudding mixture over the angel food cake pieces in the dish. Use your spatula to spread it out evenly, making sure to get into all the corners.
- ADD the remaining cake. Scatter the rest of the angel food cake cubes evenly over the pudding layer.
- SPOON on the pie filling. Carefully spoon the cherry pie filling over the top, spreading it as evenly as possible without disturbing the layers underneath. It doesn’t have to be perfect!
- TOP with whipped cream. Spread the remaining whipped topping over the cherry layer, creating a beautiful, fluffy final layer.
- CHILL completely. Cover the dish with plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator to chill for at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight. This step is crucial for letting the flavors meld together!
Want a fruit-forward favorite? You’ll love the Strawberry Rhubarb Pie.
My Expert Tips for the Best Results
- Don’t Rush the Chill! I know it’s tempting to dig in right away, but you have to let this cake chill for at least four hours. It gives the angel food cake time to soften and soak up all that creamy goodness. Trust me, it’s worth the wait.
- Use COLD Ingredients: Make sure your milk, sour cream, and whipped topping are very cold before you start. This helps the pudding set up properly and gives you that perfect, firm-but-creamy texture.
- A Little Trick for Spreading: When you add the final layer of whipped topping, drop spoonfuls of it all over the cherry layer first, then connect the dots by gently spreading it with your spatula. This prevents the red cherry filling from smearing into your beautiful white top.
- Let the Cake Breathe: If your store-bought angel food cake feels a little dense, let the cubes sit out on the counter for 30 minutes to an hour to dry out just a bit. This helps them act like little sponges for the pudding.
- Have Fun with Garnishes: Just before serving, feel free to add a little something extra on top! A sprinkle of toasted almonds, some white chocolate shavings, or a few fresh cherries can make it look even more special. You can find more fun ideas on the Karen’s Flavor homepage!
What to Serve With Heaven on Earth No Bake Cake
Honestly, this delicious cake is a total showstopper all on its own! But if you want to round out the dessert table at your next gathering, here are a few things that go with it beautifully:
- A Hot Cup of Coffee: The slightly bitter notes of a good cup of coffee are the perfect contrast to the sweet, creamy cake.
- Fresh Iced Tea: For a classic summer pairing, a tall glass of unsweetened or lightly sweetened iced tea is incredibly refreshing alongside this dessert.
- A Scoop of Vanilla Ice Cream: If you want to go for total indulgence, a small scoop of simple vanilla bean ice cream on the side is just heavenly.
- A Sprig of Mint: While not a “side,” garnishing each slice with a fresh sprig of mint makes the presentation pop and adds a lovely, fresh aroma. It’s a simple touch you can find in many of my recipes over at Karen’s Flavor!
Storing Tips
This cake is a fantastic make-ahead dessert, and storing it is super simple. Just cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap or a lid and keep it in the refrigerator.
It will stay fresh and delicious for up to 3 days. After that, the angel food cake can start to get a little too soft, so it’s best enjoyed within that window. I wouldn’t recommend freezing this one, as the texture of the pudding and sour cream can become grainy once thawed.
Craving more options? Head to our Desserts & Sweet Treats section.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a heaven on earth cake?
A Heaven on Earth Cake is a delicious, layered no-bake dessert! It’s traditionally made with cubes of angel food cake, a creamy vanilla pudding and sour cream mixture, and a fruity topping like cherry pie filling. It’s famous for being incredibly easy and a total crowd-pleaser.
Why didn’t my angel food cake rise?
Oh, that can be so frustrating! Usually, if an angel food cake doesn’t rise, it’s because a tiny bit of fat or grease—maybe from an egg yolk or a bit of oil on your utensils—got into the egg whites. They need a perfectly clean, grease-free environment to whip up into those beautiful peaks!
What is the sinful seven cake?
That sounds decadent! The “Sinful Seven Cake” I know is a super-rich chocolate layer cake that gets its name from having seven main indulgent ingredients, often including things like chocolate, coffee, and pecans. It’s a very different (but also delicious!) dessert from this light and airy heaven on earth no bake cake.
What kind of cake is served in heaven?
What a sweet thought! Since angel food cake is so light, airy, and white, people often joke that it must be the cake served in heaven. While we can only imagine, it’s a lovely idea, isn’t it? It definitely fits the name of this recipe!
What does the Bible say about cake?
That’s an interesting question! While the Bible doesn’t mention modern-style cakes with frosting, it does talk about “cakes” in the form of bread, often small, flat loaves made from flour and oil. They were a staple food and sometimes used in offerings.
What kind of cake did they eat in the Bible?
The cakes mentioned in the Bible were very different from our sweet desserts today. They were typically unleavened (flat) breads made from fine flour, water, and oil, sometimes sweetened with honey or figs. Think more of a simple, dense flatbread rather than a fluffy birthday cake!
I Can’t Wait to Hear From You!
And that’s all there is to it! I truly hope you love making this Heaven on Earth No Bake Cake. It’s one of those recipes that’s filled with happy memories for me, and I hope it creates some for you, too. There’s nothing better than seeing smiling faces around the table enjoying a good, simple dessert. Please leave a comment below to let me know how you liked it, and I’d love to see your beautiful creations on social media! For more recipes that are guaranteed to be a hit, you can always find me over at Karen’s Flavor! Enjoy every last bite!
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Heaven on Earth No Bake Cake (The Easiest Recipe!)
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: chilling 4 hours 20 minutes
- Yield: 12 slices 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Bake
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Heaven on Earth No Bake Cake is a dreamy, layered dessert with angel food cake, vanilla pudding, and cherry pie filling—the perfect easy treat for any potluck or party, no oven required!
Ingredients
1 (1-pound) store-bought angel food cake, cut into 1-inch cubes
1 (5.1-ounce) box instant vanilla pudding mix
2 cups whole milk
1 cup sour cream
1 (8-ounce) container whipped topping (like Cool Whip), thawed and divided
1 (21-ounce) can cherry pie filling
Instructions
- PREPAREÂ the cake. Using your hands or a serrated knife, tear or cut the angel food cake into 1-inch cubes. Spread half of these cubes evenly across the bottom of your 9Ă—13 inch dish.
- WHISKÂ the pudding mixture. In a large bowl, whisk together the instant vanilla pudding mix and the cold milk. Keep whisking for about 2 minutes, until you feel it start to thicken up nicely.
- FOLDÂ in the creamy ingredients. Gently fold the sour cream and about half of the thawed whipped topping into the pudding mixture. Keep folding with a spatula just until everything is combined and the mixture is smooth and luscious.
- LAYERÂ the pudding. Pour this entire glorious pudding mixture over the angel food cake pieces in the dish. Use your spatula to spread it out evenly, making sure to get into all the corners.
- ADDÂ the remaining cake. Scatter the rest of the angel food cake cubes evenly over the pudding layer.
- SPOON on the pie filling. Carefully spoon the cherry pie filling over the top, spreading it as evenly as possible without disturbing the layers underneath. It doesn’t have to be perfect!
- TOPÂ with whipped cream. Spread the remaining whipped topping over the cherry layer, creating a beautiful, fluffy final layer.
- CHILLÂ completely. Cover the dish with plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator to chill for at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight. This step is crucial for letting the flavors meld together!
Notes
Don’t Rush the Chill! I know it’s tempting to dig in right away, but you have to let this cake chill for at least four hours…
Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 465 kcal
- Sugar: 42 g
- Sodium: 410 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 63 g
- Fiber: 1.5 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 45 mg