Strawberry Heaven Pudding – The No-Bake Dessert That Dreams Are Made Of

When the weather turns warm and gatherings start to fill your calendar, there’s one dessert that always earns rave reviews: Strawberry Heaven Pudding. It’s cool, creamy, bursting with sweet berry flavor, and best of all—it’s completely no-bake. Whether you’re planning a summer BBQ, Easter brunch, potluck, or simply need a show-stopping dessert without turning on the oven, this recipe delivers on all fronts.

This dessert is as beautiful as it is delicious. Layers of fluffy angel food cake, rich vanilla pudding, luscious strawberry pie filling, and airy whipped topping come together in a dreamy, chilled pudding dessert that’s irresistibly light yet indulgent.

Who This Recipe Is Perfect For

• Busy home bakers looking for quick, easy desserts

• Hosts and hostesses needing a reliable crowd-pleaser

• Strawberry lovers who want a fruity, creamy treat

• Anyone who loves a cool, make-ahead dessert that’s just as easy to serve as it is to prepare

Whether you’re an experienced baker or a total beginner, this recipe is foolproof, forgiving, and flexible. You don’t need any baking skills—just a love for strawberries and a bit of time to let it chill before serving.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s everything you need to build this layered dessert masterpiece:

• 1 whole (10 ounces) angel food cake – Store-bought or homemade, cut into cubes

• 1 package (3.4 ounces) instant vanilla pudding mix – For creamy structure and flavor

• 1 ½ cups whole milk – Helps the pudding set properly

• 1 cup heavy whipping cream – Adds richness to the pudding layer

• 1 can (21 ounces) strawberry pie filling – Sweet, thick, and fruity

• 1 container (8 ounces) whipped topping (like Cool Whip), thawed – For a light, creamy top layer

• Fresh strawberries, sliced for garnish (optional) – Adds color and a touch of elegance

Essential Kitchen Equipment

To prepare Strawberry Heaven Pudding, gather the following tools:

• 9×13-inch baking dish

• Large mixing bowl

• Hand mixer or stand mixer

• Rubber spatula

• Serrated knife (for slicing angel food cake without crushing it)

• Spoon (for dolloping pie filling)

• Plastic wrap or a lid (for covering the dessert while chilling)

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Cube the Cake

Use a serrated knife to gently cut your angel food cake into bite-sized cubes. A sawing motion helps keep the cake fluffy rather than squished.

Step 2: Make the Pudding

In a large bowl, combine the vanilla pudding mix, whole milk, and heavy whipping cream. Use a hand-held mixer to blend on low speed, gradually increasing to high for about 2 minutes, or until the mixture thickens.

Step 3: Assemble the First Layer

In your 9×13-inch baking dish, place half of the angel food cake cubes in a single layer.

Step 4: Add Strawberry Filling

Dollop about ⅔ of the strawberry pie filling evenly over the cake cubes. Use the back of a spoon to spread it around slightly.

Step 5: Layer the Pudding

Carefully spread the vanilla pudding over the strawberry layer using a spatula to ensure even coverage.

Step 6: Second Layer of Cake

Add the remaining angel food cake cubes on top of the pudding.

Step 7: Finish with Strawberries and Whipped Topping

Dollop the remaining strawberry pie filling over the cake cubes. Then, gently spread the thawed whipped topping over the entire surface.

Step 8: Chill

Cover the dish and place it in the refrigerator for at least 3–4 hours. This gives the flavors time to meld and the layers to set properly.

Step 9: Serve

Optional: Garnish with fresh sliced strawberries before serving for an extra pop of color and texture.

Recipe Tips, Variations & Swaps

Helpful Tips

• Don’t overmix the pudding. You want it thick, not runny.

• Use thawed whipped topping. Frozen topping won’t spread easily.

• Refrigerate overnight for best flavor. It gets better the longer it chills.

Creative Variations

• Mixed Berry Pudding: Swap strawberry pie filling for mixed berry or raspberry.

• Chocolate Twist: Use chocolate pudding instead of vanilla for a chocolate-strawberry combination.

• Lemon Heaven: Use lemon pudding and blueberry pie filling for a sunny, citrusy spin.

• Gluten-Free Version: Substitute with gluten-free angel food cake (read labels carefully).

• Homemade Whipped Cream: Want to skip store-bought topping? Whip 1 cup of heavy cream with 2 tablespoons of powdered sugar until stiff peaks form.

How to Store Leftovers

This dessert keeps surprisingly well in the fridge, making it an excellent make-ahead option.

• Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container or cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap. It will stay fresh for up to 3 days.

• Freezing not recommended: The whipped topping and pudding don’t freeze well and may separate when thawed.

Food & Drink Pairings

Serve With:

• Fresh lemonade or strawberry iced tea for a refreshing summer pairing.

• A light sparkling wine or rosé is ideal for adult gatherings.

• For a brunch table, pair it with savory egg bakes or mini quiches to balance the sweetness.

Add-Ons:

• Sprinkle crushed graham crackers or toasted almonds on top for a little crunch.

• Drizzle with white chocolate ganache for an elegant touch.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this ahead of time?

Absolutely! In fact, making it the day before allows the flavors to develop even more. Just keep it refrigerated until ready to serve.

Can I use homemade angel food cake?

Yes, and it will taste amazing! Just make sure it cools completely before cubing to maintain the fluffy texture.

Can I use fresh strawberries instead of pie filling?

You can, but you’ll need to macerate them first (toss in sugar and let sit) or cook them down into a sauce to match the texture and sweetness of pie filling.

Can I use a different cake?

Yes. Pound cake, sponge cake, or even ladyfingers can work, but the texture and sweetness will vary.

Is there a low-sugar version of this?

You can use sugar-free pudding mix, light whipped topping, and a no-sugar-added pie filling. It won’t be quite as sweet, but it will still be delicious.

The Final Word

Strawberry Heaven Pudding is more than a dessert—it’s a sweet celebration in every bite. With its layers of soft cake, creamy pudding, bright berry filling, and fluffy whipped topping, it’s the kind of dish that gets devoured at gatherings and requested again and again.

Easy, stunning, and practically effortless, it’s the kind of dessert you’ll want to keep in your back pocket all year round.