I got the one with the sweetest ways

[sovay]

Behold the spider cake!





It does not resemble a spider. It looks—and tastes—like a sweet cornbread with a kind of double-layered custard floated on top, which would be the baked cream. spatch has found evidence suggesting the name actually comes from the three-legged cast-iron skillet known as a spider, although the upper surface did fissure attractively as it cooled. I love our new cast-iron skillet even if it has no legs at all. It can bake in an oven and we can make this dessert.

Comments

[nineweaving]

The custard layers are very rich and the cornbread is not too sweet and it is extremely more-ish.

Mmmm.

Then the other explanation must come in as a folk etymology once the tripod has gone out of fashion.

According to the OED, the term "spider" lingered even after the legs had gone: "A kind of frying pan having legs and a long handle; also loosely, a frying pan. Originally U.S."

The earliest usage they found is 1807: "Spiders with Covers."

The distinction (legs/no legs) was still there in 1830: "A judicious selection of spiders and frying-pans."

Whittier wrote, "Like fishes dreaming of the sea, And waking in the spider."

That sounds delectable.

It was. She was a genius cook.

I wonder if it could be adapted for an oven.

I should think so. Raking embers over it meant it baked top and bottom and all round, as in an oven. As I dimly recall, that recipe book also included stargazy pie. Maybe you could try that next, and gild the mermaids' tails.

Nine

[nineweaving]

Oh hey. Here's a legless skillet with a spider on it!

Nine

[sovay]

Here's a legless skillet with a spider on it!

That's great! And unaffordable!