Not for the faint of heart, nor for anyone watching their fat and/or cholesterol intake, but if you're looking for an occasional treat, look no further. (Also, see the note at the end of the recipe for variations.)

Pound Cake

1 stick unsalted butter
1 cup Crisco
3 cups sugar
5 eggs
1-1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup milk
3 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking powder

Butter and flour an angel food pan.

Cream butter, shortening and sugar till fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time. Add vanilla to milk. Combine flour with baking powder.

Add liquids and flour mixtures alternately to butter/egg mixture in several batches, ending with milk.

Pour batter into prepared pan. Place pan in cold oven and set to 300F. Bake for 2 hours.

Note: this is versatile. Try extracts other than vanilla, or add mini chocolate chips...and now that the dried berries are so easily found in most major U.S. cities, they're winners, too.