Get ready to discover your new favorite dessert! This Strawberry Heaven on Earth Cake is an absolutely divine, no-bake layered dessert that’s perfect for any occasion. It’s a dreamy combination of fluffy angel food cake, creamy vanilla pudding, sweet strawberry pie filling, and fresh, juicy strawberries, all topped with a generous layer of whipped cream. If you’re looking for an easy, crowd-pleasing treat that requires zero oven time, you’ve found it. This recipe is perfect for summer potlucks, family gatherings, or whenever you need a stunning dessert without the fuss.
What is Strawberry Heaven on Earth Cake?
Strawberry Heaven on Earth Cake is a popular layered refrigerator dessert, sometimes called a “lush” or “icebox cake.” The magic lies in its simplicity and delicious layers. It starts with a base of cubed angel food cake, which soaks up the flavors of the creamy vanilla pudding and sweet strawberry filling. The layers meld together in the refrigerator to create a wonderfully soft, moist, and flavorful cake that truly tastes like a bite of heaven.
Why You’ll Love This Strawberry Heaven on Earth Cake Recipe
- Absolutely No Baking Required: This is the ultimate summer dessert! Using a store-bought angel food cake means you don’t have to heat your kitchen.
- Incredibly Easy to Assemble: If you can layer ingredients in a dish, you can make this cake. It’s a fun recipe to make with kids.
- Perfect for Making Ahead: This cake needs to chill for at least 4 hours, making it the perfect dessert to prepare a day in advance for a party or event.
- A Guaranteed Crowd-Pleaser: The combination of creamy, fruity, and sweet flavors is a universal hit with both adults and kids. It looks impressive, and everyone will be asking for the recipe. For another guaranteed hit, try our No-Bake Oreo Pie.
The Simple Ingredients You’ll Need
One of the best parts of this recipe is how simple the ingredient list is. You can find everything you need at your local grocery store.
For the Cake Layers
- Angel Food Cake: A 1-pound store-bought angel food cake saves you time and effort. You’ll be cutting it into 1-inch cubes.
- Instant Vanilla Pudding: Two small boxes of instant vanilla pudding mix create the creamy, rich custard layer.
- Milk: Whole milk will give you the creamiest pudding, but 2% will also work well.
- Sour Cream: This is the secret ingredient! It adds a wonderful tangy flavor that cuts through the sweetness and makes the pudding layer extra creamy.
- Strawberry Pie Filling: One can of strawberry pie filling adds a sweet, syrupy layer of intense strawberry flavor.
For the Topping
- Fresh Strawberries: You’ll need about a pound of fresh strawberries, sliced, for layering and garnish.
- Whipped Topping: An 8-ounce container of frozen whipped topping (like Cool Whip), thawed, provides a light and fluffy finish.
How to Make Strawberry Heaven on Earth Cake (Step-by-Step)
Assembling this dessert is as easy as 1-2-3. Just follow these simple steps for a perfect cake every time.
- Prepare the Pudding: In a large bowl, whisk together the instant vanilla pudding mix and the cold milk until it begins to thicken, about 2 minutes. Whisk in the sour cream until smooth and fully combined.
- Create the First Layer: Spread half of your cubed angel food cake evenly across the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Add the Creamy Layers: Gently spread half of the pudding mixture over the angel food cake cubes. Then, top with half of the sliced fresh strawberries.
- Repeat the Layers: Add the remaining angel food cake cubes on top. Spread the remaining pudding mixture over the cake. Spoon the strawberry pie filling evenly over the pudding layer.
- Top and Chill: Finish by spreading the thawed whipped topping over the strawberry pie filling. Garnish with the remaining fresh strawberries. Cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight. This allows the layers to set and the flavors to meld.
For another dessert that’s perfect for sharing, check out this amazing Pineapple Upside-Down Cheesecake (coming soon).
Pro Tips for the Best Results
Want to make your Strawberry Heaven on Earth Cake absolutely perfect? Follow these simple tips.
- Chill Thoroughly: Don’t rush the chilling time! The cake needs several hours for the angel food cake to soften and absorb the flavors of the pudding. Overnight is truly best.
- Use Cold Ingredients: Ensure your milk is very cold when making the pudding. This helps it set up properly and become thick and creamy.
- Don’t Overmix the Pudding: Whisk the pudding just until it starts to thicken. Overmixing can sometimes prevent it from setting correctly.
- Garnish Just Before Serving: While you can add some strawberries to the top before chilling, save your best-looking slices to garnish right before you serve for the freshest appearance. If you love fruity desserts, this Summer Fruit Salad (coming soon) is another must-try.
Fun Variations to Try
This recipe is incredibly versatile! Feel free to mix it up with different flavors.
- Chocolate Strawberry: Use chocolate pudding instead of vanilla and add a drizzle of chocolate syrup on top.
- Mixed Berry: Swap the strawberry pie filling for cherry or blueberry pie filling, and use a mix of fresh berries.
- Tropical Paradise: Use cheesecake-flavored pudding, pineapple chunks instead of strawberries, and top with toasted coconut.
How to Store Your Cake
Store any leftover Strawberry Heaven on Earth Cake tightly covered in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh and delicious for up to 3 days. Because of the dairy-based layers, this cake does not freeze well, as it can become watery upon thawing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, absolutely! This cake is best when made at least 4 hours in advance, but it’s even better if you let it chill overnight. This gives the layers time to set and the flavors to meld together perfectly.
While angel food cake is traditional because of its light, airy texture, you could substitute cubed pound cake or sponge cake. The result will be a bit denser but still delicious.
It is best to use fresh strawberries for their texture and flavor. If you must use frozen, thaw them completely and pat them very dry to remove excess moisture, which can make the cake watery.
You can store leftovers, tightly covered, in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. After that, the angel food cake may become too soggy.
Instant vanilla pudding is recommended for its ease and ability to set quickly. You could also use cheesecake or white chocolate flavored instant pudding for a fun twist.
The Perfect Strawberry Heaven on Earth Cake
This Strawberry Heaven on Earth Cake is more than just a recipe; it’s a go-to dessert for creating sweet memories. It’s effortless, beautiful, and absolutely delicious. Give it a try, and I promise it will become a staple in your dessert rotation. If you make it, I’d love to see! Please leave a comment below or share a picture with me on Pinterest.
More Delicious Dessert Recipes
Strawberry Heaven on Earth Cake (Easy No-Bake Recipe)
Ingredients
Equipment
Instructions
- In a large bowl, whisk together the instant vanilla pudding mix and cold milk for about 2 minutes, or until it starts to thicken. Whisk in the sour cream until the mixture is smooth.
- Arrange half of the angel food cake cubes in a single layer in the bottom of a 9x13-inch dish.
- Spread half of the pudding mixture over the cake cubes. Top with half of the sliced fresh strawberries.
- Layer the remaining angel food cake cubes on top, followed by the rest of the pudding mixture. Spoon the strawberry pie filling evenly over the top.
- Spread the thawed whipped topping evenly over the pie filling. Garnish with the remaining sliced strawberries. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight, before serving.
Notes
Make sure your milk is very cold to help the instant pudding set up properly.
You can substitute other berries and pie fillings to create different flavor variations!
