RITZ Cracker Mock Apple Pie

No time to peel apples? Fake it like a pro with this surprising combo of Ritz Crackers, lemon and cinnamon to mimic the taste and texture of apple pie. Truly as easy as pie.

This creative pie recipe has an interesting history. Apples were scarce during the Great Depression. Finding a readily available substitute that tasted great gave rise to the Ritz Mock Apple Pie recipe becoming a hit after being printed on the Ritz cracker box.

Prep time:

0 min

Total time:

0 h 0 min

Servings:

Makes 10 servings.

Ingredient list

2 cups sugar
2 tsp. cream of tartar
1¾ cups water
Zest and 2 Tbsp. juice from 1 lemon
1 pkg. (14.1 oz.) ready-to-use refrigerated pie crust (2 crusts)
36 RITZ Crackers, coarsely broken (about 1-3/4 cups)
2 Tbsp. butter or margarine, cut into small pieces
½ tsp. ground cinnamon

Directions

PREPARATION

Mix sugar and cream of tartar in medium saucepan. Gradually stir in water. Bring to boil on high heat; simmer on low heat 5 min. or until mixture is reduced to 1-1/2 cups. Stir in zest and juice; cool 30 min.

Heat oven to 425°F. Roll out 1 crust on lightly floured surface to 11-inch circle; place in 9-inch pie plate. Place cracker crumbs in crust. Pour sugar syrup over crumbs; top with butter and cinnamon.

Roll out remaining crust to 10-inch circle; place over pie. Seal and flute edge. Cut several slits in top crust to permit steam to escape.

Bake 30 to 35 min. or until golden brown. Cool.

Recipe Tips

Size-Wise
Enjoy this mock apple pie treat but be mindful of the serving size.
Chocolate-Walnut Mock Apple Pie
Prepare as directed, sprinkling 1/2 cup each chopped walnuts and semi-sweet chocolate chunks over cracker crumbs before covering with sugar syrup.
Substitute
Prepare using pastry for 2-crust 9-inch pie. Divide pastry in half; continue as directed.
What is mock apple pie?
Mock apple pie mimics the taste and texture of apple pie without real apples using Ritz crackers, lemon juice, and spices.
Why does mock apple pie taste like real apple pie?
Mock apple pie tastes like real pie because the ingredients used: Ritz crackers, sugar, lemon juice, cinnamon, cream of tartar, imitates the sweet and tartness of the apple filling.