Step 1

Start by making the cream, as it needs to be completely cooled to be used. Combine the milk, and vanilla extract in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Add the semolina stirring continuously. Simmer for 4-5 minutes, until the mixture has nicely thickened. Lower the heat if it sticks to the bottom of the pan.

Step 2

Place the bowl in a cold water bath to lower its temperature. When it has cooled some, you can place it in the freezer and stir it every few minutes to speed up the cooling process.

Step 3

To make the honey cake layers, combine all the ingredients in a food processor and blitz until incorporated. Stop the blades from time to time to scrape the sides of the bowl, and if necessary give the dough a quick knead to make a homogeneous ball.

Step 4

Crumble some dough over a piece of parchment paper, cover with a second paper and roll the dough with a rolling pin until about 2-3 mm thick. Cut the dough the size of the baking tin, using the bottom of the actual dish as template. Set aside and repeat until you have used your dough to make 4 pastry layers.

Step 5

Bake each layer individually at 200°C (390°F) for 10 minutes, and let set on a cooling rack. The pastry will slightly harden as it cools.

Step 6

When the semolina has cooled, it's time to make the buttercream. In a bowl, combine the sugar and egg yolks and whisk for a couple of minutes at medium speed. Always whisking, add the butter in chunks, little by little, until all of it has been incorporated.

Step 7

Take the semolina out of the fridge and fold it into the buttercream with a spatula.

Step 8

Have a cake layer on a working surface and spoon some semolina cream over it. Spread it evenly with an angled spatula. Place the next layer over the cream and repeat. Remember to reserve some cream for the top layer, too. Before spreading cream on the top layer, slide the spatula along the sides of the cake to give the sides an even finish and remove any excess cream that may have been pushed out.