This cake is inspired by one my mum would make when I was little. I have fond memories of similar ones sitting on the bench cooling, my brother, sister and me just hovering. Not too sweet and studded with apples and almond flakes, it’s the perfect accompaniment to an afternoon coffee. The ricotta and olive oil keep it moist, too, which means it can sit, covered, on the bench and be sliced into as the days go by.

This is an edited extract from Julia’s new book, Sundays Under the Lemon Tree ($25), which is out now.