This deceptively easy mock apple pie recipe with buttery crackers is so good, your family will think you spent all day baking in the kitchen!
When in reality, it needs just 15 minutes of prep before it hits the oven.
Ritz Mock Apple Pie
Whether you’re craving apple bread or pie on a sweltering summer day or just don’t have the will to slice a million apples, I’ve got you covered.
Because believe it or not, this apple pie does not contain any apples.
Yup, you read that right. Yet somehow, it manages to taste just like the all-American classic.
It’s just as flaky at the bottom and sweet, buttery, and cinnamony on top. And it’s extra scrummy with vanilla ice cream.
Intrigued?
I was too. So let’s make this mock apple pie and see for ourselves.
What is Mock Apple Pie?
Mock apple pie was invented during the Depression when fresh fruit was hard to come by.
Initially, it called for saltine crackers, but when Ritz Crackers were invented, the recipe soon wound up on the back of their box.
So basically, mock apple pie is a mixture of sugar, water, spices, and crackers.
It doesn’t sound appetizing, does it? And I was admittedly skeptical about it, too, in the beginning.
But the many rave reviews I saw online urged me to try it. And boy, did my world change when I did.
Somehow, the faux-apple filling tastes just like caramel apples.
It turns out, buttery crackers (i.e., Ritz) can mimic the texture and flavor of baked apples, especially when cooked in sugar and infused with cinnamon and lemon juice.
The buttery crust, crumbly streusel on top, and aroma of cinnamon help with the illusion, too.
But don’t take my word for it. Try this recipe and see for yourself.
How to Make Mock Apple Pie
This recipe comes together in a snap. And you don’t have to spend an hour peeling and slicing apples!
Here’s the basics:
- Preheat the oven and get the ingredients ready. The pie bakes at 425 degrees Fahrenheit (220°C), so be sure to give the oven time to warm up.
- Cook the filling. Boil the water with the sugar and cream of tartar in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the buttery crackers and cook for 5 minutes, stirring with a wooden spoon the whole time.
- Add the flavoring. Pour the cracker filling into a prepared pie shell (use store-bought for convenience). Then, sprinkle it with cinnamon and drizzle over the lemon juice.
- Make the topping. Mix the rest of the crackers with the brown sugar, melted butter, and cinnamon. Sprinkle the mixture over the pie filling.
- Bake and enjoy. Bake the pie for 15 minutes at 425 degrees, then lower the heat to 375°F (190°C) and bake for 15 to 20 minutes more. Serve warm with a scoop of ice cream on top. Enjoy!
Origin of Mock Apple Pie Origin Story
While the recipe for mock apple pie first appeared on a box of Ritz crackers in the 1930s, it’s widely accepted that it was first invented in the mid-1800s.
Apples were hard to come by during the winter, so home cooks used soda crackers or stale bread for the filling instead.
Tips and Tricks
- Use Ritz for the best flavor. It’s “their” recipe, after all!
- Make it a chocolate-pecan mock apple pie. Sprinkle chopped pecans and semi-sweet chocolate chips over the pie right before adding the topping.
- Cover the crust edges to keep them from burning. Use foil and gently wrap it over the edge.
- If you blind-bake the crust, add foil to the edges, then remove them for the last 10 minutes of baking.
- If you didn’t, add the foil for the last 10-15 minutes of baking.
How to Store Mock Apple Pie
Cover the pie with plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
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Easy Mock Apple Pie Recipe
8
servings15
minutes40
minutes440
kcalThis deceptively easy mock apple pie recipe with buttery crackers is so good, your family will think you spent all day baking in the kitchen!
Ingredients
- For the Pie
2 cups water
1 cup granulated sugar
2 teaspoons cream of tartar
30 buttery round crackers
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 (9-inch) prepared pie shell
- For the Topping
1 cup crushed buttery round crackers
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/3 cup butter, melted
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit (220°C).
- Combine the water, sugar, and cream of tartar in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat.
- Bring mixture to a boil, then add the crackers and cook for 5 minutes.
- Pour the mixture into a prepared pie shell and top it with cinnamon and lemon juice.
- Mix the remaining crushed crackers with the brown sugar, melted butter, and cinnamon. Sprinkle it evenly on top of the pie filling.
- Bake for 15 minutes at 425 degrees Fahrenheit. Then, lower the temperature to 375°F (190°C) and continue baking for 15 to 20 minutes.
- Serve warm, and enjoy!
