Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F) Lightly grease and line a 18 x 28 cm (7 x 11 inch) shallow baking tray with baking paper, having the paper overhanging on the two longest sides.

• Use an electric mixer beat the butter, sugar and lemon zest until light and creamy, this will take about 3 – 5 minutes.
• Mix in the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
• Sift the flour and fold into the butter mixture with a wooden spoon.
• Spread a little less than half of the mixture into the tin and place the apricot halves with the cut sides facing down on top.
• Drop spoonful’s of the remaining mixture over the top of the apricots. Then use the back of a metal spoon to carefully spread the mixture evenly over the top.
• Bake for 35 – 45 minutes or until lightly golden and cooked. Cover loosely with a sheet of foil if it’s browning too quickly.
• Remove from the oven and allow the cake to stand in the tin for 15 minutes before transferring to cake rack.
• Lightly dust with icing sugar.
• Serve warm or at room temperature.