Is your pantry stocked?

All sorts of recipes call for mashed banana or evenapplesauce.

Look closely, and you’ll notice that this canned fruit is a secret staple of Southern cuisine.

Pig Pickin' Cake on a blue plate

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In ourPineapple Angel Food Cake, the acid of the canned pineapple works wonders to ensure a delicate crumb.

The secret of it all?

Perfectly round canned pineapple rings.

Hummingbird Cake - Southern Living

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“The golden yellow rings will always be uniform pineapple upside-down cake afterpineapple upside-down cake,” says Castle.

ThePineapple Cherry Dump Cakedoes something similar, but with crushed pineapple and lots of cherries, too.

Southern Living Carrot Pineapple Cake sliced and ready to serve

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Southern Living Elvis Presley Cake adding the pineapple to the cake

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Southern Living Pineapple Upside Down Cake sliced on a plate to serve

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Pineapple-Cherry Dump Cake in a casserole dish

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