A Courting Cake

I first came across the idea of courting cake whilst watching The Great British Bake Off. Courting Cake is an old Lancashire tradition, where ladies would present a cake to the man they were currently 'courting' in an attempt to win them over and get a proposal. Sounds like a good plan to me.

As it's nearly Valentines Day, I thought why not whip up a courting cake in an attempt to find myself a man, like a Kelis of the baking world. Aside from the cream looking very overwhipped in the photos, it turned out pretty well, so surely it's just a matter of time before the men come flocking.

Ingredients

8oz butter
8oz caster sugar
4 eggs (beaten)
12oz self raising flour
2-3 tbsp milk
300ml double cream
8oz strawberries (sliced)
Icing sugar to decorate

Instructions

1. Grease and line three 7" cake tins

2. Cream the butter and sugar together until pale and fluffy. Add the beaten eggs a little at a time, beating well.

3. Fold in the flour. Add enough milk until it has a dropping consistency.

4. Divide between the three cake tins and bake at 180C for 25-30mins until risen. Put onto a wire rack to cool.

5. Whip the cream until it holds its shape. Put cream in between the layers and decorate each with strawberries. Dust some icing sugar on the top and add a few more strawberries for added decoration.

6. Sit back, relax and wait for the marriage proposals.