German Apricot Cake

Directions

1. Position a rack in the lower third of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees. Grease an 8-by 11-inch baking pan.
2. Sift together the flour, baking powder and salt. In a mixer beat the butter until smooth, slowly add the sugar and beat until fluffy, about three minutes. Add one egg yolk at a time, again beating until the mixture turns fluffy, occasionally scrapping down the sides of the bowl. Add the lemon juice, zest and vanilla. Add the flour mixture stirring as little as possible.
3. In a separate bowl beat the egg whites until stiff. Using a wooden spoon incorporate half of the egg whites into the dough and then the rest. Pour dough into prepared pan.
4. Cut apricots in half, discard the pit and replace with a small piece of marzipan. Put the half apricot with the skin up onto the cake. Bake for about 30 minutes. Check the cake by inserting a toothpick into the cake. If the toothpick comes out clean, the cake is done.
5. Cool the cake and cut pieces with an apricot in the center.