Can I use fresh strawberries instead of canned strawberry pie filling?

Yes absolutely. Slice fresh strawberries and toss them with two tablespoons of sugar and allow them to macerate for 30 minutes until they release their juices and become syrupy. Use them exactly as you would the canned filling throughout the layers. Fresh strawberries give a brighter and less sweet flavor which many people actually prefer. Just note that the dessert may be slightly less set in the strawberry layer without the thickening agents present in the canned filling.

Can I make this dessert the day before?

Not only can you make it the day before, we strongly encourage it. An overnight chill in the refrigerator gives the angel food cake time to fully absorb the pudding and strawberry layers and the entire dessert becomes more deeply flavored, more cohesive, and easier to serve in clean portions. Simply add the Cool Whip topping and the remaining strawberry filling garnish the morning of serving for the freshest appearance.

What can I use instead of Cool Whip?

You can make a simple stabilized whipped cream by whipping 1 cup of cold heavy cream with 2 tablespoons of powdered sugar and one teaspoon of vanilla extract to stiff peaks. It will taste richer and more delicious than Cool Whip but it is slightly less stable so plan to serve the dessert the same day the whipped cream topping is added for the best results.

Heaven on Earth Cake Easy No Bake Layered Dessert

Description

Heaven on Earth Cake layers fluffy angel food cake with sweet strawberry pie filling and a rich vanilla cream cheese pudding, chilled until set and finished with a cloud of Cool Whip and more strawberry filling on top. The most dreamy and effortless no bake dessert you will ever serve.

Ingredients

Scale

1 box 16 oz Angel Food Cake Mix prepared according to package

1 can 21 oz Strawberry Pie Filling

1 block 8 oz Full-Fat Cream Cheese softened to room temperature

1 box 3.4 oz Jell-O Vanilla Instant Pudding Mix

1 1/2 cups Whole Milk

1 container 8 oz Cool Whip Whipped Topping thawed

Fresh Lemon Juice optional

Sliced Almonds optional for garnish

Instructions

1. Prepare angel food cake according to package directions. Cool completely then cut into 1-inch cubes.

2. Place half the cake cubes in an ungreased 9×9 inch baking dish.

3. Spread two-thirds of the strawberry pie filling evenly over the cake layer.

4. Add remaining cake cubes on top.

5. Beat softened cream cheese until completely smooth.

6. Add vanilla pudding mix and whole milk and mix until smooth and combined. Add lemon juice if using.

7. Pour cream cheese pudding mixture evenly over the layered cake.

8. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate 3 to 4 hours until fully set.

9. Spread thawed Cool Whip over the top in an even generous layer.

10. Spoon remaining strawberry filling in pools over the whipped topping.

11. Garnish with sliced almonds if desired and serve chilled.

Notes

Cream cheese must be fully softened to room temperature before mixing.

Always use instant pudding mix not cook-and-serve.

A tablespoon of fresh lemon juice in the pudding layer brightens the entire dessert.

Overnight chilling gives the best and most deeply flavored result.

Add Cool Whip topping and strawberry garnish just before serving for freshest presentation.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: No-Bake
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 square
Calories: 380
Sugar: 42g
Sodium: 310mg
Fat: 14g
Saturated Fat: 9g
Unsaturated Fat: 4g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 58g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 5g
Cholesterol: 35mg

Keywords: heaven on earth cake, angel food cake dessert, strawberry cream cheese cake, easy no bake layered dessert