Heaven on Earth Cake (Printable version)
No-bake layers of angel food cake with vanilla pudding and sweet strawberry filling chilled and topped.
# What You'll Need:
→ Cake Layer
01 - 1 (16 oz) prepared angel food cake, cut into 1-inch cubes
→ Strawberry Layer
02 - 1 (21 oz) can strawberry pie filling
03 - 1 cup fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced (optional, for garnish)
→ Cream Layer
04 - 2 cups cold milk
05 - 1 (3.4 oz) package instant vanilla pudding mix
06 - 1 cup sour cream
07 - 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
→ Topping
08 - 1 (8 oz) container whipped topping (e.g., Cool Whip), thawed
09 - 2 tablespoons sliced almonds (optional)
# How to Prepare:
01 - Arrange half of the angel food cake cubes in an even layer in a large trifle dish or 9x13-inch glass baking dish.
02 - Spoon half of the strawberry pie filling evenly over the cake cubes, ensuring full coverage.
03 - Layer the remaining cake cubes on top of the strawberries, followed by the remaining strawberry pie filling.
04 - In a medium bowl, whisk together cold milk and vanilla pudding mix until thickened, about 2 minutes. Fold in sour cream and vanilla extract until smooth and well-combined.
05 - Spread the pudding-sour cream mixture evenly over the cake and strawberry layers using a spatula.
06 - Top with whipped topping, spreading it gently to cover the entire surface in an even layer.
07 - Sprinkle sliced almonds and fresh sliced strawberries on top, if desired, for visual appeal and texture.
08 - Cover the dish and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or overnight, to allow the dessert to set and flavors to meld properly.
09 - Slice and serve chilled, ensuring each portion contains all layers.
# Expert advice:
01 -
- The combination of tangy sour cream and sweet vanilla pudding creates this impossibly creamy texture that people literally cant stop eating
- It comes together in 20 minutes flat but tastes like you spent all day carefully constructing each layer
02 -
- Once I tried cutting the angel food cake into smaller cubes and the whole thing turned into mush so stick to that 1-inch size
- The pudding layer needs to be completely thickened before you add the sour cream or you will have a soupy situation
03 -
- Use a clear glass dish because those layered stripes are half the beauty of this dessert
- Make it the day before and let it sit overnight—the cake becomes this perfect tender texture