Heaven on Earth Cake with delicious layers of angel cake, sour cream pudding, cherry pie filling, whipped topping, and almonds. Creamy and decadent, this cherry trifle is a sure crowd pleaser!

I was out running errands when I received this text from G, “Hey, there’s heaven on earth in the fridge”. Whaat? WTH is heaven on earth?
Naturally, my curiosity was piqued and, duly intrigued, my first stop when I got home was the refrigerator.
Heaven on earth cake, I soon discovered, is an icebox cake made with layers of cubed angel food cake, vanilla pudding with sour cream, cherry pie filling, whipped topping, and toasted almond slivers.
G’s mom has been making this refrigerator cake for years for potlucks and family get-togethers. Creamy and decadent, it never fails to impress the crowd!
This dessert is actually a cherry trifle. Why it’s called heaven on earth, I have no idea. G thinks it’s because of the use of angel food cake. I think it’s because every bite is like finding heaven on earth.
It’s so simple to make; you’ll be pleasantly surprised how amazingly delicious it turns out with hardly any effort. So easy in fact the hardest part of the recipe is waiting for it to set and chill!
Helpful tips
- The recipe calls for angel food cake, but feel free to swap with pound cake, chocolate cake, vanilla sponge cake, brownies, crushed Oreos, or sponge fingers for variety.
- For an extra kick of flavor, briefly soak the cake cubes in sherry or fortified wine.
- I used Cool Whip to cut down on prep time, but you can use whipped topping from scratch if you like. With an electric mixer, beat one cup of very cold heavy cream until stiff peaks form.
- I usually use a 9 x 13 pan but if you want a thicker dessert, use a square 9 x 9 pan as in the video.
- Not a fan of cherry pie filling? Swap with strawberry or blueberry pie filling! This dessert is amazing all year round; try apple pie filling during the Fall months.
Want more no-bake desserts to enjoy this Summer? You’ll love the coffee flavor in this espresso refrigerator cake! Also, try this Three-ingredient Oreo cake and save yourself a trip to the ice cream parlor. Enjoy!
Ingredients
- 1 box Angel food cake or 1 prepared Angel Food Cake
- 1 package (3.4 ounces) instant vanilla pudding
- 1 1/2 cups milk
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 can (21 ounces) cherry pie filling
- 1 tub (8 ounces) Cool Whip
- 1 tablespoon almond slivers, toasted
Instructions
- Bake angel food cake according to package's directions. Allow to cool and cut into cubes.
- In a bowl, combine pudding mix, milk, and sour cream and beat until smooth. Set aside.
- In a 9x13 baking dish, arrange 1/2 of cake cubes in a layer.
- Spoon 2/3 of cherry pie filling over cake.
- Place the remaining 1/2 of the cake on top of the pie filling.
- Spoon pudding over cake and spread evenly.
- Spoon and spread whipped topping over the pudding layer.
- Garnish cake with the remaining pie filling and toasted almonds.
- Chill for about 4 to 5 hours. Cut into servings.
Nutrition Information
“This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.”
Betty Johnson says
Made this for the first time when camping with kids and grandkids…everyone said it was fantastic, delicious, awesome!! It really was pretty simple to throw together. Everyone went back for seconds and some for thirds!! I definitely will make again!!
Tonya Gibson says
I made this first one with strawberry. I tried the cherry pie filling for the next one MY FAVORITE! Both were so good.
It’s 11:20pm and I’m up making this delicious dessert!
Sally says
Can I use regular cook pudding instead of instant?
Lalaine Manalo says
Yes, you can 🙂
Marissa says
This has quickly become one of my favorite desserts to make! It’s always a go-to for bringing to family get together. So easy and soo good. I like to use strawberry filling instead.
Linda Ower says
If you put this together One day, and serve at the next day will be angel food cake be too soggy
Peggy Hoffman says
It looks so heavenly and a fun cake I like cakes that I can make for everyone to eat for dinner
River says
I’ve made this cake twice now and my family loves it. Thank you for this recipe
Linda Carpenter says
I haven’t tried it yet,but it sure looks delicious and I will be making it soon
Linda Hernandez says
Gonna try this tonite
Paula says
I’ve made this with the boxed cheesecake mix instead of the vanilla pudding along with fresh sliced strawberries. Amazing! You could even add chopped or crushed pineapple. Love it all!
Cavet says
Absolutely delicious! I made cherry last night and strawberry tonight both with homemade whipped cream and homemade vanilla! Thank you
Lucille says
My card playing friends loved it .
Jan says
Can you substitute plain Greek yogurt for the diur cream
Lalaine says
I haven’t tried it, but it might be ok.
Bunny says
I make this with fresh sliced strawberries mixed with 8 oz cool whip. Layer same way. Very refreshing summer desert
Ruth says
Can you make a day ahead?