Preheat the oven to 335F/168C. Line the bottom of a 9-inch/23-cm round cake pan with parchment paper but do not grease the sides (I used a spring form pan).

Prepare the cake batter. Place the eggs into a stand mixer bowl and whisk on high speed for 7 to 9 minutes, until the eggs are thick and pale in color, almost white. Pour in the honey and vanilla extract and whisk again for 1 minute.

In a separate bowl, combine the dry ingredients: flour, baking powder and salt. Sift the dry ingredients into the eggs in small batches, folding gently but thoroughly after each addition. Make sure to scrape from the bottom of the mixing bowl. Allow the melted butter to cool, then add it to the batter along with the fig preserves. Fold in the butter and preserves gently.

Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Bake in the preheated oven for 40 to 45 minutes, until the top springs back when pressed lightly in the center. Remove the cake pan out of the oven and onto a wire rack to cool. To remove the cake from the pan, run a knife along the edge of the pan, then transfer onto a cake stand.

When ready to serve, garnish the cake with sliced fresh figs and drizzle with the remaining 1/4 cup honey. Serve with cheese on the side.