This Fruit Filled Angel Cake is a light and refreshing dessert made with tender angel food cake, sweet gelatin, fresh or canned fruit, and a luscious whipped topping. Perfect for warm weather gatherings, potlucks, or celebrations, this recipe combines airy textures with vibrant flavors. The delicate balance of strawberry or mixed fruit gelatin and juicy fruit makes this a beautiful and colorful centerpiece dessert. It’s an old-fashioned classic that feels timeless and indulgent, yet surprisingly light.
Ingredients
- 1 baked 10-inch angel food cake
- 3 oz Jell-O (strawberry, cherry, or mixed fruit gelatin)
- 1 cup boiling water
- ⅔ cup cold water (or fruit juice)
- 1 cup fresh fruit (or drained canned fruit, diced)
- 2 cups whipping cream (or 2 envelopes Dream Whip topping mix)
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Gelatin
- Dissolve Jell-O in 1 cup boiling water.
- Stir in 2/3 cup cold water or fruit juice.
- Chill until slightly thickened.
Step 2: Prepare the Cake
- Slice a horizontal layer off the top of the angel food cake (about 1 inch thick).
- Carefully hollow out the center of the cake, leaving a 1/2-inch wall and base.
Step 3: Fill the Cake
- Cut the hollowed out pieces of cake into smaller pieces.
- Mix the thickened gelatin with diced fruit.
- Spoon part of the mixture into the hollowed cake base, reserving a portion for the top.
- Alternate the gelatin with diced fruit with the cake pieces.
- Replace the top cake layer.
Step 4: Frost and Chill
- Whip cream until stiff peaks form, or prepare Dream Whip as directed.
- Frost the cake evenly with whipped topping.
- Chill in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 hours before serving.
Tips
- Substitute canned fruit cocktail or mixed fruit; use the can syrup for the “cold water” portion.
- Add fresh berries (strawberries, raspberries, blueberries) for color and flavor.
- Replace whipped cream with prepared whipped topping for convenience.
- For lighter flavor, use fruit juice instead of cold water when mixing gelatin.
- Chill gelatin until slightly thick before folding in whipped topping to prevent separation.
- Add sliced bananas just before filling if using, to keep them from browning.
- Try different gelatin flavors (lemon, cherry, strawberry) to match the fruit used.
- Garnish with additional whipped topping and fruit slices for a showy presentation.
- Use a serrated knife to slice the cake cleanly once chilled and set.
Nutrition
Calories: 220kcalCarbohydrates: 34gProtein: 3gFat: 9gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.5gMonounsaturated Fat: 1.5gCholesterol: 25mgSodium: 180mgPotassium: 75mgFiber: 0.5gSugar: 27gVitamin A: 350IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 40mgIron: 0.5mg
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