Delicious & Easy Merryfield Apple Cake: Your Perfect Low-Calorie Fall Dessert
As the leaves begin to turn vibrant shades of crimson and gold, and a crisp coolness fills the air, it can only mean one thing: fall has officially arrived! And with it comes the delightful tradition of apple picking and, perhaps even more excitingly, baking season. Apples take center stage in countless autumn festivals, cozy family gatherings, and celebratory parties. While I now enthusiastically embrace all things apple, I must confess, this wasn’t always the case. Growing up, my palate wasn’t particularly fond of apple cake, or any cake that featured fruit, for that matter. My youthful self was solely interested if a cake was generously slathered in rich frosting. A cake without a thick layer of sugary sweetness simply didn’t pique my interest, a preference that surprisingly lingered well into my mid-thirties.
My Journey to Loving Fruit-Filled Cakes
My culinary journey took an unexpected turn when I started prioritizing a healthier lifestyle and actively trying to manage my weight. Suddenly, indulging in huge quantities of frosting became a calorie expenditure I wasn’t willing to make. Don’t get me wrong, I still believe frosting tastes absolutely divine – there’s no arguing with that! However, when faced with the choice between the calorie count of a generous dollop of frosting on a single cupcake and enjoying three to four wholesome apples, the decision became clear. Opting for a more nutritious path meant steering clear of excessive frosting, at least for the time being. This shift in perspective opened me up to a whole new world of desserts, particularly those that celebrated the natural sweetness and texture of fruits, like the humble apple cake.
A Lighter Indulgence: Calorie-Conscious Baking
This is where this magnificent Merryfield Apple Cake truly shines. It’s a beautifully crafted cake, elegantly dusted with a delicate layer of powdered sugar, making it visually appealing without the heavy guilt associated with traditional frosted cakes. What makes this recipe particularly appealing for those mindful of their intake is its generous yield. This recipe actually produces two full cakes, and each can be sliced into 12 substantial pieces. This means each delicious slice clocks in at approximately 200 calories. This is a remarkable achievement when you consider that a typical slice of frosted cake can easily range anywhere from 350 to a staggering 500 calories! This Merryfield Apple Cake offers a perfect balance of flavor and mindful indulgence, proving that you don’t have to sacrifice taste when aiming for a healthier option. It’s the ideal fall dessert for anyone looking to enjoy a sweet treat without derailing their healthy eating habits.
The Cherished Cookbook: Discovering the Merryfield Apple Cake
The story of how I stumbled upon this gem of a recipe is quite a nostalgic one. In my early twenties, my father, a man who loved to cook and collect cookbooks, gifted me a cherished volume from his own kitchen. It was the Good Housekeeping Illustrated Cookbook. From the moment I first opened its pages, I was completely captivated. What made this cookbook so extraordinary was the inclusion of a color photograph for every single recipe. This feature was revolutionary at the time and made browsing through its extensive collection an absolute joy. The book was intelligently structured with a colorful photo index at the front, allowing me to visually select what I wanted to make, with all the detailed recipes conveniently located in the back, meticulously cross-referenced. I fell in love with it instantly. There are several editions of this iconic cookbook, but the one I proudly own is the version I linked above. I recall a moment of great disappointment once when I was browsing a bookstore and discovered a newer iteration that, tragically, lacked the abundance of vibrant pictures that made my original copy so special. It just wasn’t the same without those visual cues guiding my culinary adventures.
Unraveling the “Merryfield” Mystery
Among the countless tempting recipes in that beloved cookbook was one for “Merryfield Apple Cake.” The name itself always sparked my curiosity. I’ve spent some time trying to uncover the history behind this intriguing moniker, but unfortunately, I haven’t had much luck in my research. There are no towns or geographical locations with that specific spelling that I could find. My search did, however, reveal it as a family name associated with a British actor. So, my best hypothesis, and a rather charming one at that, is that a wonderful woman named Mrs. Merryfield, from some forgotten corner of history, created this delicious apple cake, and it was rightfully named in her honor. Regardless of the true origin of its name, the captivating photograph of this cake in the cookbook always managed to catch my eye. For years, I admired it from afar, and finally, I decided it was high time I brought this beautiful cake to life in my own kitchen. The original cookbook recipe calls for a cake made from scratch, but for my initial attempt, I chose to simplify the process by using a box cake mix, just to get a feel for the recipe. The classic version of the Merryfield Apple Cake primarily features walnuts and raisins. However, I decided to put my own spin on it, enhancing the texture and flavor profile by incorporating a delightful mix of pecans, golden raisins, and tart dried cranberries. The results were absolutely spectacular, adding layers of flavor and chewiness that truly elevated the cake.
Why This Apple Cake Stands Out: Beyond Just Apples
This Merryfield Apple Cake isn’t just another apple dessert; it’s a celebration of simple flavors and a testament to how beautiful a cake can be without heavy frosting. Its charm lies in its moist, tender crumb, generously studded with a medley of fruits and nuts that provide a delightful texture in every bite. The natural sweetness of the apples, combined with the warmth of optional spices (though not explicitly in the original recipe, a hint of cinnamon or nutmeg would be wonderful), creates a comforting aroma that truly embodies the essence of autumn. The subtle crunch from the walnuts and pecans, coupled with the chewy sweetness of three different types of dried fruit, ensures that each mouthful is an experience. The genius of the powdered sugar doily decoration is that it adds an elegant touch without adding significant calories, allowing the intrinsic beauty and taste of the cake itself to be the star. If you’re searching for an elegant yet understated cake that offers a satisfyingly sweet experience without the caloric overload this fall season, this Merryfield Apple Cake is an absolute must-try. In fact, for those looking to further reduce calories, consider substituting applesauce for oil in your cake mix or even trying a homemade from-scratch cake recipe. If you don’t have a go-to from-scratch recipe, I highly recommend trying my classic yellow cake recipe as a base. I truly hope you and your loved ones enjoy this delightful cake as much as my family and I did!
Simple Steps to Baking Perfection
The beauty of this Merryfield Apple Cake recipe lies in its straightforward preparation. You’ll begin your baking adventure by gathering and preparing all your key ingredients. This means chopping your fresh apples into bite-sized pieces, roughly chopping your nuts, and precisely measuring out your selection of raisins and dried cranberries. Organization is key in baking, but this recipe is forgiving.
While some recipes might insist on separating each ingredient, for this apple cake, you have the convenience of measuring all your delicious mix-ins—the diced apples, walnuts, pecans, and various dried fruits—directly into a single bowl. This saves time and simplifies the process, ensuring all the “goodies” are ready to be folded into the batter at once.
Once your dry ingredients are prepped, proceed to prepare your cake batter according to the directions on your chosen box mix. This typically involves combining the mix with eggs, oil (or applesauce for a healthier twist), and water. After your batter is smooth and well-combined, gently fold in all the prepared apples, walnuts, pecans, raisins, golden raisins, and dried cranberries. Be careful not to overmix; just enough to distribute these wonderful additions throughout the batter.
Now, divide this delightful, lumpy, bumpy goodness of a batter evenly between your two prepared round cake pans. Ensure the pans are properly greased and floured to prevent sticking, guaranteeing an easy release after baking.
Bake your cakes until they reach a beautiful golden brown, and a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. Once baked, remove them from the oven and allow them to cool completely on a wire rack. Patience is a virtue here, as a fully cooled cake is essential for the next step.
For the elegant finishing touch, once the cakes are at room temperature, carefully place a decorative paper doily on top of one of the cakes. Using a fine-mesh sieve, gently dust confectioners’ sugar directly over the doily. The sugar will fall through the doily’s intricate pattern, creating a beautiful design on the cake’s surface.
Finally, with utmost care, gently lift the doily straight up from the cake, shaking any excess powdered sugar into the sink. Repeat this enchanting step for the second cake. And that’s it! Your stunning Merryfield Apple Cakes are ready to be unveiled. You’ll undoubtedly be the star of any fall gathering, serving up a dessert that is as delightful to the eyes as it is to the palate. Enjoy every wholesome, flavorful bite!
Merryfield Apple Cake
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Ingredients
- 1 18.5 ounce box yellow cake mix plus ingredients on back of box
- 3 cups diced apple
- ½ cup chopped walnuts
- ½ cup chopped pecans
- ¼ cup golden raisins
- ¼ cup raisins
- ¼ cup dried cranberries Craisins
- 6-7 ” round paper doily
- Confectioners’ sugar
Before You Begin
Instructions
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Preheat the oven to 325 F. Grease and flour two 8-inch round cake pans.
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Prepare cake batter according to box directions. Fold in the apples, walnuts, pecans, raisins, golden raisins and dried cranberries. Distribute the batter evenly between the two prepared pans.
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Bake in preheated oven for 50-55 minutes, rotating pans halfway through baking. Remove from oven and cool on wire rack for 20 minutes. Remove from pans and cool on racks to room temperature.
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Place paper doily on top of cake and sift confectioners’ sugar directly over the doily. Carefully remove doily, shake excess into sink and repeat for second cake.
The recipes on this blog are tested with a conventional gas oven and gas stovetop. It’s important to note that some ovens, especially as they age, can cook and bake inconsistently. Using an inexpensive oven thermometer can assure you that your oven is truly heating to the proper temperature. If you use a toaster oven or countertop oven, please keep in mind that they may not distribute heat the same as a conventional full sized oven and you may need to adjust your cooking/baking times. In the case of recipes made with a pressure cooker, air fryer, slow cooker, or other appliance, a link to the appliances we use is listed within each respective recipe. For baking recipes where measurements are given by weight, please note that results may not be the same if cups are used instead, and we can’t guarantee success with that method.