Get ready to delight your taste buds with the Heavenly Raspberry Cream Angel Food Cake Dessert Recipe, a show-stopping treat that’s equal parts light and luscious. This dessert combines fluffy angel food cake cubes with a vibrant raspberry filling and a dreamy lemon-infused cream layer, all topped off with sweet whipped cream. It’s the perfect balance of airy texture, tangy fruit, and sweet creaminess—a dessert that makes any gathering feel extra special and every bite pure joy.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The image shows two side-by-side close-up views of a cooking pot inside a white marbled surface. On the left side, inside the pot, there is a pile of red raspberries with a layer of white powder sprinkled over them. On the right side, the raspberries have turned into a smooth, deep red sauce with visible bits of fruit, shown on a wooden spoon hovering above the pot. The sauce looks thick and shiny, filling the pot. The pot is metallic with a shiny, smooth surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

For this Heavenly Raspberry Cream Angel Food Cake Dessert Recipe, simplicity is key. Each ingredient plays a vital role in delivering layers of flavor and texture—from the fresh raspberries bursting with tartness to the velvety cream cheese that ties it all together.

Fresh or frozen raspberries (16 ounces): The star fruit component adds natural sweetness and vibrant color; use frozen raspberries without thawing for best texture.
Granulated sugar (1/4 cup plus 2/3 cup): Sweetens the raspberry filling and the cream layer, balancing tartness perfectly.
Cornstarch (2 tablespoons): Thickens the raspberry filling to a luscious jam-like consistency that holds beautifully between layers.
Cold water (1/4 cup): Helps activate the cornstarch in the fruit filling for that ideal texture.
Fresh lemon juice (1/4 cup) and zest (1 tablespoon): Adds bright, fresh acidity that lifts the entire dessert and enhances the cream layer’s flavor.
Cubed angel food cake (12 cups): This airy, spongy cake absorbs the cream, creating soft, melt-in-your-mouth bites.
Cream cheese (12 ounces, softened): Provides a rich, tangy foundation for the smooth cream layer.
Half-and-half or evaporated milk (3/4 to 1 cup): Adds creaminess and thins the cream cheese mixture to perfect spreading consistency.
Fresh lemon extract (1 teaspoon, optional): A flavor booster for those who love extra lemony notes.
Heavy cream (1 1/2 cups): Whipped to soft peaks, this is the light and airy topping that completes the dessert.
Powdered sugar (1/4 cup): Sweetens the whipped cream just right without grit or graininess.

TIP

You’ll find the full ingredient list, instructions, and print option in the recipe card below.

How to Make Heavenly Raspberry Cream Angel Food Cake Dessert Recipe

Step 1: Prepare the Raspberry Filling

Begin by combining raspberries, sugar, cornstarch, cold water, and fresh lemon juice in a saucepan. Bring this mixture to a gentle simmer, stirring frequently. You’ll notice the fruit transforms into a glossy, thickened sauce after about 5 to 7 minutes. This raspberry layer is bursting with fresh berry flavor, with the lemon juice cutting through the sweetness to keep it lively. Once thickened, allow it to cool to room temperature or pop it in the fridge if you’re prepping ahead.

Step 2: Whip Up the Creamy Cheese Layer

Next up, grab your mixer and beat the softened cream cheese with half-and-half (or evaporated milk), sugar, lemon zest, and lemon extract if you’re using it. The goal here is a smooth, luscious cream that’s just tangy enough to complement the raspberries perfectly. This step is where the magic starts to come together—make sure your cream cheese is at room temperature so it blends beautifully without lumps.

Step 3: Combine Angel Food Cake with Cream

Place your cubed angel food cake into a large mixing bowl. Pour the creamy mixture over the cake and gently fold to coat every piece. This step is crucial because the airy cake soaks up the cream, resulting in tender bites that still hold their shape but feel incredibly soft in your mouth.

Step 4: Whip the Sweetened Cream

Now for the crowning touch—whip together the heavy cream and powdered sugar until soft peaks form. This whipped cream adds a luscious, airy finish to our multi-layered dessert, making every spoonful feel dreamy. Whether you use a stand mixer or even a powerful blender, the goal is achieving light, fluffy peaks that hold their shape but melt effortlessly.

Step 5: Assemble Your Heavenly Raspberry Cream Angel Food Cake Dessert Recipe

In a beautiful trifle dish, a large clear bowl, or even a 9×13-inch pan, start by spreading half of the angel food cake and cream mixture. Then dollop half of the raspberry filling across the top—it doesn’t have to be perfect or evenly spread, and the energetic dollops add to the rustic charm of this dessert! Follow that with half the whipped cream and gently smooth it out. Repeat the layers with the remaining cake mixture, raspberries, and whipped cream. Cover your masterpiece and chill for at least 2 hours to let those flavors meld and textures soften.

How to Serve Heavenly Raspberry Cream Angel Food Cake Dessert Recipe

The image shows a white rectangular dish with two side-by-side views of a layered dessert. The left side has a base layer of soft, crumbled white pieces, topped unevenly with bright red strawberry sauce and scattered dollops of smooth white cream. The right side displays the same base, but now completely covered by a mixture of white cream swirled with red strawberry sauce, creating a marbled effect with a soft, fluffy texture. The dish is on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

To elevate this dessert even more, top with a few fresh raspberries, a sprinkle of lemon zest, or a few mint leaves just before serving. These garnishes not only add a pop of color but also a fresh aroma that invites everyone to dig in eagerly.

Side Dishes

This dessert pairs wonderfully with a light cup of coffee or a glass of sparkling rosé. If you want to keep things simple, serve it alongside fresh fruit or a scoop of vanilla ice cream to create a more indulgent experience.

Creative Ways to Present

For a crowd-pleasing twist, assemble individual parfaits in clear glasses. Layer the components just as you would in a bigger dish, letting the beautiful colors shine through. This not only makes serving a breeze but also adds an elegant touch that’s sure to impress.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once assembled, store your Heavenly Raspberry Cream Angel Food Cake Dessert Recipe tightly covered in the refrigerator. This dessert keeps well for up to 2 days, maintaining its fresh flavors and creamy texture.

Freezing

Freezing is not recommended for this dessert because the whipped cream and angel food cake can lose their texture and become watery upon thawing. For best results, enjoy it fresh or within a couple of days refrigerated.

Reheating

This dish is best served chilled and shouldn’t be reheated. The delicate layers and creamy components shine most when cold, so skip warming and instead allow it to come to a pleasant cool temperature in the fridge before serving.

FAQs

Can I use frozen raspberries for this recipe?

Absolutely! Using frozen raspberries works perfectly when kept frozen until you’re ready to cook the filling. They retain great flavor and texture after cooking, making this dessert just as wonderful year-round.

Is there a substitute if I don’t have half-and-half?

You can swap half-and-half with evaporated milk as noted in the recipe. Both provide the right creaminess, though evaporated milk has a slightly richer flavor that enhances the cream layer beautifully.

Can this dessert be made dairy-free?

While this recipe relies on cream cheese and heavy cream for its signature texture and flavor, you could experiment with dairy-free cream cheese and coconut cream. Keep in mind the texture and taste might vary, but it can still be delicious!

How long should I refrigerate the dessert before serving?

Refrigerate for a minimum of 2 hours to let the layers set and flavors meld. For even better results, chilling it up to 24 hours enhances the texture and taste even more.

Can I make this dessert for a large gathering?

Definitely! This Heavenly Raspberry Cream Angel Food Cake Dessert Recipe scales well. Use a larger trifle dish or multiple smaller dishes, and just double the ingredients to serve more guests without losing any of the magic.

Final Thoughts

There’s something utterly joyful about sharing this Heavenly Raspberry Cream Angel Food Cake Dessert Recipe with friends and family. Its delicate layers and fresh flavors create a dessert experience that’s both comforting and celebratory. Whether for a special occasion or a simple weekend treat, I can’t recommend this recipe enough. Give it a try—you’re going to fall in love bite after heavenly bite!

Heavenly Raspberry Cream Angel Food Cake Dessert Recipe

Ingredients You’ll Need