Each year I've gone to the Outer Banks in mid-September and Ralph's birthday falls during that time. He doesn't eat sugar but everyone needs a birthday cake, so this year I took a cake mix and frosting. I haven't used a box cake in two decades, but we never know what the rented kitchen has available. This year there was a hand mixer but no vegetable oil, so I used extra-virgin olive oil.

I don't know whether devil's food mix or frosting has gotten better or using extra-virgin olive oil makes a difference, but the cake was incredibly delicious. I used a Betty Crocker Triple Chocolate Fudge Super Moist cake mix and Pillsbury Creamy Supreme coconut pecan frosting. I'm not sure I could make a scratch cake better.

Mixes available in most supermarkets.