Russian Honey Cake

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with a parchment or a silicone baking mat.

Pour 3/4 cup wildflower honey into a deep saucepan over medium heat. Boil until a shade darker (amber-like) and caramel-like in aroma, about 10 minutes. Turn off heat and whisk in cold water.

Meanwhile, sift flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt in a small bowl. Lightly whisk together.

Place a medium saucepan over the lowest heat setting on the stovetop. Add sugar, butter, and 3/4 cup wildflower honey. Let sit until butter melts, 5 to 7 minutes.

Whisk butter mixture and transfer to another bowl to let cool. Add 1/4 cup burnt honey (reserve remaining burnt honey for the frosting.) Whisk to combine and let cool.

Add eggs, one at a time, whisking to combine each time.

Add flour mixture and fold gently until batter is easily spreadable.

Transfer about 1/2 cup batter onto the prepared baking sheet. Spread into an 8- or 9-inch circle using an offset spatula. Shake and tap the pan to knock out any air bubbles.

Bake in the preheated oven until lightly browned, 6 to 7 minutes. Remove liner from the pan and let cake layer continue cooling until firm enough to remove, 6 to 7 minutes. Invert cake onto a round of parchment paper.

Repeat Steps 6 and 7 until you have 8 cake layers, letting each cool on an individual parchment round.

Trim edges using a 9-inch circle to ensure they are the same size; save scraps for crumb mixture. Spread any remaining batter onto the lined baking sheet. Bake in the preheated oven until edges are dry, about 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and cut into small pieces; toss with reserved cake scraps.

Return scraps to the oven and bake until browned, 7 to 10 minutes more. Let cool completely, 15 to 20 minutes.

Transfer to a resealable bag and beat into fairly fine crumbs using a rolling pin. Set aside.

Remove the bowl and whisk from the refrigerator. Pour in heavy cream and whisk until soft peaks form. Add sour cream and remaining burnt honey; continue whisking until stiff peaks form.

Place a cake layer on a parchment paper round on a pizza pan or serving plate. Spread a cup of frosting evenly on top, almost to the edge. Repeat with cake layers and frosting, pressing layers in smooth-side down. Place the last cake layer smooth-side up.

Frost top and sides of cake. Cover with crumbs; clean any excess crumbs around base.

Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 8 hours to overnight. Transfer to a cake stand using 2 spatulas. Cut and serve.