14 tablespoons (1 3/4 sticks) unsalted butter, at cool room temperature
1 cup granulated sugar
4 large eggs, at room temperature
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
Pinch of salt
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
Grated zest of 1/2 lemon
1 15 3/4-ounce can apricots, well drained
Confectioners' sugar, for garnish

1. Position a rack in the center of the oven and heat to 350°F. Lightly butter an 11x8-inch glass baking dish.

2. Beat the butter in a medium bowl with a handheld electric mixer on high speed until smooth, about 1 minute. Add the sugar and beat until the mixture is light in color and texture, about 2 minutes. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition (don't be concerned if the mixture looks slightly curdled). Beat in the vanilla. Sift the flour, baking powder, and salt together and stir into the batter, then stir in the lemon juice and zest.

3. Spread evenly in the pan. Arrange the apricots over the batter, cutting them into halves or quarters if necessary to give the cake a uniform appearance. (There are often apricots of different sizes in the same can.) Bake until the cake is golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 25 to 30 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack and cool completely before serving.

4. To serve, sift confectioners' sugar over the cake and cut into squares.