1. Preheat the oven to 180°C. Grease a 20 cm springform tin, then line the base and sides with baking paper.

2. Peel and finely chop 2 of the apples, then cut the remaining apples into thin wedges, keeping the skin on. Place the sliced apples in a bowl of cold water with half the lemon juice to prevent them from browning.

3. Beat the eggs and sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer until pale and fluffy. Add the mascarpone and mix until smooth, then add the lemon zest, remaining lemon juice and the vanilla. Whisk to combine until smooth. Sift in the flour, cinnamon, baking powder and salt and gently incorporate. And the chopped apples and mix well.

4. Spoon the batter into the tin, then arrange the apple wedges over the top in a concentric circle with the edges slightly overlapping. Bake for 40-50 minutes or until a skewer withdraws clean. Remove from the oven and brush the top with apricot jam. Cool in the tin for 20 minutes, then gently release the sides and let the cake cool completely on a wire rack.

Silvia Colloca shares her Italian family secrets in the brand-new series, Cook like an Italian.