Easy Merryfield Apple Cake: A Timeless Fall Recipe for Every Home Baker
As the leaves begin to change and a crispness fills the air, there’s an undeniable call to the kitchen. Fall ushers in the delightful apple picking season, and with it, a renewed passion for baking. From pies to crumbles, apples are the quintessential ingredient for heartwarming autumn festivals, cozy family gatherings, and delightful parties. Yet, I must confess, growing up, my palate wasn’t particularly inclined towards apple cake, or frankly, any cake that dared to contain fruit. My younger self had a strict preference: if it wasn’t generously slathered in a thick layer of frosting, it simply didn’t capture my interest. This staunch preference for frosting-heavy desserts persisted well into my mid-thirties, shaping my view of what a truly satisfying cake should be.
However, as priorities shift and a greater focus on health and wellness takes center stage, particularly my ongoing journey to manage my weight, those indulgent dollops of frosting are no longer a calorie expenditure I’m eager to make. While there’s no denying the sheer joy a perfectly frosted cupcake can bring to the taste buds, a moment of reflection quickly highlights the nutritional trade-off. When I consider that I can enjoy the natural sweetness and fiber of three to four apples for roughly the same caloric impact as the frosting on just one cupcake, the decision becomes remarkably clear. For now, it’s a choice to embrace desserts that celebrate wholesome ingredients and natural flavors, steering clear of excessive sugars and fats without sacrificing satisfaction.
Meet the Merryfield Apple Cake: A Healthier Indulgence
This is precisely where the magnificent Merryfield Apple Cake enters the scene. Dusted lightly with powdered sugar, its elegance is both understated and inviting. What makes this particular apple cake recipe truly exceptional, especially for those mindful of their intake, is that it yields not one, but two generous cakes. Each cake can be sliced into 12 pieces, meaning a single, satisfying slice comes in at approximately 200 calories. This is a remarkable difference when compared to a typical slice of frosted cake, which can easily range from 350 to a staggering 500 calories! This easy apple cake allows you to enjoy a genuinely delicious dessert without the guilt, making it a perfect healthier dessert option for any occasion.
A Cookbook That Inspired a Generation (and a Cake!)
The origin of this beloved recipe traces back to a treasured cookbook my father gave me in my early twenties: the Good Housekeeping Illustrated Cookbook. What made this particular edition so captivating was its revolutionary approach: a vibrant, full-color photograph accompanying *every single recipe*. Imagine the delight of browsing a color photo index at the front, knowing that every culinary adventure you embarked upon had a visual guide. All recipes were meticulously detailed in the back, cross-referenced for ease of use. It was a treasure trove of inspiration, and I fell in love with it instantly. While there are several versions of this iconic book, the one I cherish is the specific edition linked above. I recall the profound disappointment of once encountering a newer version in a bookstore that, to my dismay, lacked the abundant photographs. It simply didn’t capture the magic of the original.
The Mystery of the “Merryfield” Name
Within the pages of that beloved cookbook lay the recipe for Merryfield Apple Cake. The name itself sparked my curiosity, prompting a brief dive into its history. My search, however, didn’t yield much concrete information. There are no towns or geographical locations known by that specific spelling, though I did discover it as the family name of a British actor. This led me to speculate that perhaps a Mrs. Merryfield, from some forgotten corner of history, was the original creator of this delightful confection, and the cake was named in her honor. Regardless of its exact etymology, the inviting picture of the cake in the cookbook always caught my eye, making it feel like high time I finally brought this classic to life in my own kitchen.
While the cookbook’s original Merryfield apple cake recipe called for a cake made entirely from scratch, I decided to experiment by using a convenient box mix for simplicity and speed. This adaptation makes it an even easier apple cake for busy home bakers. Furthermore, I expanded upon the original’s use of only walnuts and raisins by adding a richer medley of pecans, golden raisins, and dried cranberries. These additions contribute a deeper layer of flavor and texture, transforming it into a truly festive fall apple cake. This combination of traditional flavors with a touch of modern convenience and variety truly elevates the simple joy of a homemade apple cake.
If you’re seeking a beautiful, flavorful cake this autumn that offers a more mindful approach to calories, this Merryfield Apple Cake is an absolute must-try. Its natural sweetness from the apples and dried fruits, coupled with the satisfying crunch of nuts, creates a symphony of textures and tastes. For those looking to further reduce the calorie count, consider substituting applesauce for the oil in the cake mix. And if you prefer the satisfaction of baking from the ground up, but don’t have a go-to scratch recipe, I highly recommend my classic yellow cake recipe as a fantastic base. I genuinely hope you and your loved ones enjoy this moist apple cake as much as we do!
Step-by-Step Guide to Baking Your Merryfield Apple Cake
Let’s walk through the simple steps to create this delightful easy apple cake. You’ll be surprised at how quickly this comes together!
First things first, gather and prepare all your fantastic ingredients. Begin by chopping your fresh, crisp apples. The type of apple can truly make a difference in your homemade apple cake. While any firm apple works, Granny Smith offers a lovely tartness, Honeycrisp provides a delightful crunch, and Fuji or Gala bring a balanced sweetness. Once your apples are diced, move on to your nuts – walnuts and pecans – and measure out your raisins and golden raisins. Having everything prepped makes the baking process smooth and enjoyable.
A little trick to keep things simple: you don’t need a separate bowl for each addition. Feel free to combine all your chopped apples, nuts, and dried fruits into a single bowl after measuring. This not only saves on dishwashing but also ensures an even distribution of all those delicious “goodies” throughout your Merryfield apple cake batter.
Now for the main event: prepare your chosen cake batter. If using a box mix, follow the package directions diligently. Once your batter is smooth, gently fold in all those pre-chopped apples, nuts, and dried fruits. The goal is to incorporate them evenly without overmixing the batter, which can lead to a tough cake. You’ll love seeing the batter transform into a rich, fruit-studded mixture, promising a truly moist apple cake.
With your magnificent batter ready, it’s time to divide it equally between two round cake pans. Don’t worry if it looks a little “lumpy bumpy” – that’s precisely what you want! Those delicious lumps are the apples, nuts, and dried fruits that will create incredible texture and flavor in every bite of your fall baking masterpiece. Ensure the pans are properly greased and floured to prevent sticking, guaranteeing a clean release once baked.
Bake your cakes until they reach a beautiful golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. This typically signifies they’re cooked through and wonderfully moist. Once out of the oven, allow them to cool in their pans on a wire rack for about 20 minutes. This crucial step helps them set before you carefully invert them onto the racks to cool completely to room temperature. Patience here ensures your cakes remain intact and perfectly structured.
Now for the enchanting final touch that makes this Merryfield Apple Cake so visually appealing without a drop of frosting. Take a delicate paper doily and center it gently on top of one of your cooled cakes. Then, using a fine-mesh sieve, generously dust confectioners’ sugar directly over the doily. The sugar will fall through the doily’s intricate patterns, creating a stunning, elegant design on the cake’s surface.
With the dusting complete, carefully lift the doily straight up, shaking off any excess sugar into the sink to keep your kitchen tidy. Repeat this process for the second cake. And just like that, your easy apple cake is ready! This simple yet elegant decoration technique makes you the star of any gathering, offering a sophisticated dessert that’s both wholesome and incredibly delicious. Enjoy this beautiful creation, perfect for any fall baking occasion!
Merryfield Apple Cake
IMPORTANT – There are often Frequently Asked Questions within the blog post that you may find helpful. Simply scroll back up to read them!
Print It
Pin It
Rate It
Save ItSaved!
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
-
Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C). Carefully grease and flour two 8-inch round cake pans, ensuring every surface is covered to prevent sticking.
-
Prepare the yellow cake batter according to the specific directions on your box mix. Once the batter is smooth, gently fold in the diced apples, chopped walnuts, pecans, golden raisins, and dried cranberries until they are evenly distributed throughout the mixture. Divide the batter evenly between your two prepared cake pans.
-
Bake in the preheated oven for 50-55 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. For even baking, rotate the pans halfway through the baking time. Remove the cakes from the oven and let them cool in their pans on a wire rack for 20 minutes before carefully inverting them onto the racks to cool completely to room temperature.
-
Once the cakes are fully cooled, place a 6-7 inch round paper doily on top of one cake. Using a fine-mesh sieve, sift confectioners’ sugar generously directly over the doily. Carefully lift the doily straight up, shaking any excess sugar into the sink. Repeat this decorative step for your second cake. Serve and enjoy!
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.