Book excerpt: Long before the current renaissance, these sturdy desserts were a staple at Midwestern holidays, southern family reunions, and potlucks everywhere: slab pies, generous fruit concoctions made in a baking sheet, topped with a traditional pie crust or a crunchy crumble; or delicious shareable sheet cakes loaded up with frosting. Now, these American originals are flourishing everywhere from hip locales like Brooklyn neighborhood potlucks to church suppers, and why not? A sheet cake has way more icing per bite than a layer cake; a slab pie, way more crust and fruit filling, giving more deliciousness in each bite. Inside you'll find over 100 recipes for old and new favorites such as Chocolate Chip Cake with Pecan Caramel Frosting, Coconut Sheet Cake, Lemonade Cake with Lemon Whipped Cream, Cherry Pie with Pecan Crunch, Peanut Butter and Vanilla Pie, and the king of all pop-tarts, a Giant Jam Tart Pie, all easy to make, fun to serve, and wonderful to eat.