Some market experts think today's negative sentiment goes beyond the Fed statement--that the combination of higher interest rates, weaker housing prices and higher oil prices may have already baked the cake.

FORBES: Magazine Article

As plant genetics research advances, however, industry scientists hope that it will be possible to breed cottonseed that produces superior flour, high-quality lint, and oil, so that almost every ingredient in a birthday cake can be produced with the leftovers from Nelson's cotton production.

NPR: Texas Cotton: 'Farmer Profits at Every Step'

At Ubi Maior the group breaks for dinner, a buffet of porchetta (pork stuffed with rosemary and olive oil), pasta fagioli, slabs of salty pecorino cheese and rum cake.

FORBES: That's Amore

Kurds, who have suffered economically since the fall of Saddam, want to see their slice of the national cake at or above the 13% of revenue that they got under the oil-for-food programme.

ECONOMIST: The Kurds of northern Iraq