Heaven on Earth Cake
If you’ve never had (or even heard of) Heaven on Earth Cake, this recipe will have you making it every Sunday! It’s basically layers of fluffy angel food cake mixed with syrupy strawberries, a creamy layer of vanilla pudding, another round of cake, and it’s all topped off with whipped cream. Plus, you add more strawberries and chopped almonds on top for a nice crunch. Sounds delicious, right? Well, the name doesn’t lie… this Heaven on Earth Cake really tastes like a slice of heaven!
Start your spoons because this Heaven on Earth Cake is exactly what it promises—ethereal, light, and very, very satisfying. This recipe transforms simple store-bought angel food cake (or homemade—your choice!) into a quick layer-and-chill dessert! Making a heaven and Earth cake is stupid simple, and it’s topped off with strawberries or cherries and a cloud of Cool Whip. It’s a fuss-free dessert that’s perfect for any occasion, ensuring you spend less time in the kitchen and more time soaking up compliments! (Which I am all about!)
Heaven on Earth Cake Overview
Cuisine Inspiration: American
Number of Ingredients: 8
Feeds: A family of 8+
Total Time: 4 hours, 10 minutes
Primary Cooking Method: No-bake with a ready made Angel Food Cake, just chilling in the fridge!
Dietary Info: Vegetarian
Key Flavor: Sweet and creamy vanilla, with strawberries and a hint of almond
Skill Level: Beginner
Ingredients to make Heaven on Earth Cake
- Angel Cake: Store-bought, ready-made angel food cake can be easily found in most bakery sections in your local grocery store or you can go with a box mix. I swear by my go-to angel food cake recipe because it’s light, fluffy, and really simple to make. But if you’re pressed for time or just not in the mood to bake, you can use store-bought angel. No judgment here!
- Instant Vanilla Pudding Mix: I like to use instant vanilla pudding.
- Whole Milk: Whole milk, with its fat content, just makes better pudding, in my opinion. For a dairy-free option, you can go for 2% or even almond milk.
- Greek Yogurt: You want whole milk, or high fat Greek yogurt here too. This adds a nice tanginess that balances out the sweetness of the cake and fruit. It also makes the pudding layer extra rich and smooth! You can use Sour Cream instead at a 1:1 ratio.
- Almond Extract: A little bit of this goes a long way. It brings in a subtle nutty flavor that makes the cake feel more fancy.
- Canned Strawberries or Cherries: Canned for convenience and that lovely, lovely syrup.
- Cool Whip: For that fluffy, cloud-like topping.
- Slivered Almonds: They add just the right amount of crunch. Plus, they look real pretty as a garnish!
How to make Heaven on Earth Cake
Step 1: Whisk the pudding mixture and slice the angel Food cake into cubes
- Add milk, Greek yogurt, pudding mix, and almond extract to a bowl.
- Stir until well-blended and smooth. Keep it aside.
- Slice the Angel Cake into cubes, about 1 inch each.
step 2: assemble Your Heaven on Earth cake and garnish it
- Arrange half of the cubes in a single layer inside a 13×9-inch baking dish.
- Spoon half of the strawberries over the first layer of cake cubes.
- Add the remaining cake cubes on top, pressing them down slightly to form a flat surface.
- Evenly spread the pudding mixture over the cake layer.
- Spread the Cool Whip across the pudding layer, reaching all the corners.
- Top with the remaining strawberries. Then, gently cover it with plastic wrap and refrigerate to set for at least 4 hours. Before serving, garnish with slivered almonds, and enjoy!
Popular substitutions & additions
- Mix Up the Fruit: If you’ve already made this cake with strawberries and cherries, throw in blueberries, or even a berry mix. It’s a burst of berry flavors with every bite!
- Change the Angel Food Cake Base: Who says you have to stick with the classic? Dive into variations like strawberry angel food cake, chocolate angel food cake, or even pineapple angel food cake. They are all easy to make and absolutely delicious.
- Switch the Pudding Flavor: Vanilla’s cool and all, but imagine the cake with chocolate, lemon, or coconut pudding. Each one brings a new flavor, and you can pair it with other angel food cake varieties. For example, pineapple angel cake + coconut pudding = pure tropical vibes!
- Toast Those Almonds: Giving the almonds a quick toast brings out a nuttier flavor and adds some extra crunch. It elevates the garnish for sure!
Tips for making the best heaven on earth cake with strawberries
- Use a Serrated Knife: When it comes to cutting your angel food cake into those perfect cubes, grab a serrated knife. The saw-like edges slice right through the cake without squishing it.
- Chill, Don’t Rush: I get it, waiting is hard, especially when dessert looks this good. But letting the cake chill is CRUCIAL. It gives those cake cubes time to soak up all the flavors, turning from good to “can’t-stop-eating-this”.
- Cool It Down: If you’re baking your angel food cake, make sure it’s completely cooled off before you start layering. A warm cake can melt the other layers, and you definitely don’t want that!
- Show Off in a Trifle Jar: Since this strawberry heaven on earth cake is essentially a strawberry trifle in disguise, why not go all out and assemble it in a trifle jar? Those clear sides let everyone see the gorgeous layers before they dive in.
How to store Heaven on Earth Cake
Storing it is super easy! Simply cover it well with plastic wrap or place it in an airtight container, and slide it into the fridge.
How long will Heaven on Earth Cake last in the fridge?
In your fridge, this cake will keep its charm for up to 5 days. Just remember to keep it covered, and you’ll have delicious leftovers (if there are any!) to look forward to.
What to serve with Heaven on Earth Cake
- Cool Treats: A scoop of good old vanilla ice cream alongside a slice of this cake? Pure bliss. Mango or peach sorbet? Also winners for a fruity, frosty sidekick.
- Warm Drinks: Sometimes you just need a steaming mug of chai latte or hot cocoa next to this heaven on earth cake. Or maybe a homemade caramel latte! It really complements the cake’s sweetness.
- Bubbles & Fizz: A glass of prosecco with this cake makes any day feel like a special one. And for those sunny afternoons, a sparkling lemonade or an elderflower spritz is just the thing.
- More Nuts: Because I’m all about that crunch, I love tossing on extra nuts. Last time, I added a mix of toasted pecans and hazelnuts on top. The extra crunch against the soft cake layers was ah ma zing!
Frequently asked questions
What can I use if I don’t have a 13×9-inch baking dish?
You can use two smaller dishes, a large trifle bowl, or even individual serving cups for a cute presentation. Just layer the ingredients as you would in the larger dish.
Is there a dairy-free version of this cake?
For sure! Use almond milk or coconut milk instead of whole milk, a dairy-free sour cream alternative, and a vegan whipped topping. There are also dairy-free pudding mixes available. Just check the labels to make sure they’re actually dairy-free.
Can I use homemade whipped topping?
Asbolutely! Whip up some heavy cream with a bit of sugar and vanilla extract until it forms soft peaks, and spread it on top of the cake. Not only does it taste fresher, but you also get to control the sweetness and flavor.
Next time you’re in charge of dessert and want something simple yet amazing, give this Heaven on Earth Cake a go! The airy layers of angel food cake, the luscious creaminess of pudding and whipped topping, and the delightful tang of strawberries (or cherries!) are too good to be true. Every bite kinda makes me hear the angels sing a bit!
More Easy Dessert recipes:
- 3 Ingredient Flourless Chocolate Cake
- Easy Chocolate Chip Cookies
- 3 Ingredient Nutella Cookies
- Avalanche Cookies
- Peanut Butter Fudge 2 Ingredient Recipe
- Butter Mints
- Sour Cream Cookies
I want to hear from you! If you try this easy Heaven on Earth Cake recipe or any other of my easy recipes for big families on Dinner in 5, then don’t forget to rate the recipe and leave a comment below! I read all the comments and respond!
Heaven on Earth Cake
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 Angel Food Cake baked
- 1 package Instant vanilla pudding mix 3.4 oz box
- 1 cup Whole milk
- 1 cup Greek yogurt
- 1/2 teaspoon Almond extract
- 20 oz Can Strawberries in syrup or cherries
- 8 oz Tub Cool Whip
- 1 tablespoon Slivered almonds for garnish
Instructions
- Mix milk, Greek yogurt, pudding mix, and almond extract in a bowl. Stir until well-blended and smooth. Keep it aside.
- Slice the Angel food cake into cubes, about 1 inch each. Arrange half of the cubes in a single layer inside a 13×9-inch baking dish.
- Spoon half of the strawberries over the first layer of cake cubes. Add the remaining cake cubes on top, pressing them down slightly to form a flat surface.
- Evenly spread the pudding mixture over the cake layer.
- Spread the Cool Whip across the pudding layer, reaching all the corners. Top with the remaining strawberries.
- Gently cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate to set for at least 4 hours. Before serving, garnish with slivered almonds., and enjoy!
Notes
- Use a Serrated Knife: When it comes to cutting your angel food cake into those perfect cubes, grab a serrated knife. The saw-like edges slice right through the cake without squishing it.
- Chill, Don’t Rush: I get it, waiting is hard, especially when dessert looks this good. But letting the cake chill is CRUCIAL. It gives those cake cubes time to soak up all the flavors, turning from good to “can’t-stop-eating-this”.
- Cool It Down: If you’re baking your angel food cake, make sure it’s completely cooled off before you start layering. A warm cake can melt the other layers, and you definitely don’t want that!
- Show Off in a Trifle Jar: Since this strawberry heaven on earth cake is essentially a trifle in disguise, why not go all out and assemble it in a trifle jar? Those clear sides let everyone see the gorgeous layers before they dive in.
Nutrition
Nutrition information provided is an estimate. It will vary based on cooking method and specific ingredients used.
