A friend mentioned pulling out his sister's apple cake recipe to share with his siblings on the occasion of his sister's birthday. I asked him to share. I could feel the pounds wrapping around my waist as I read it - equal parts flour and sugar and a cup of Crisco oil. OMG. It reads more like it's a batter for pancakes than an actual cake.

I finally found a good apple cake, maybe in Joy of Cooking? I sometimes have to go back through several of my favorite books to find the version of a particular recipe I've made and decided was a good one. That sister's recipe needs the oil cut in half and replaced by melted butter, for starters. And way less sugar.