Ritz Mock Apple Pie
This classic Ritz Mock Apple Pie recipe uses buttery crackers, cinnamon, and a flaky store bought crust to create a dessert that tastes uncannily like real apple pie.
The Pie That Fools Everyone at the Table
If you have never heard of a Ritz Mock Apple Pie, get ready for one of the great kitchen party tricks. This vintage recipe, printed right on the back of Ritz cracker boxes since the 1930s, uses buttery crackers instead of apples to create a filling with the same soft, slightly tart, cinnamon spiced bite as a classic apple pie. It sounds unbelievable until you taste it, and then it just makes sense.
This is the kind of recipe that started as a Depression era way to stretch a pantry, and it has stuck around because it genuinely works. Whether you are craving an easy apple pie recipe with store bought crust or just want to see the look on your guests' faces when you reveal there is not a single apple inside, this Ritz Cracker Apple Pie recipe delivers every time.
Before we get cooking, the right tools and a few smart ingredient choices make a real difference here. A sturdy pie dish helps the crust bake evenly, and a good quality store bought crust means you can skip the pastry making and focus on the fun part, the filling.
Why Crackers Taste Like Apples
It comes down to chemistry and a little bit of magic. When Ritz crackers simmer in a sugar syrup brightened with lemon juice and cream of tartar, they soften into tender little bites that pick up a tangy sweetness almost identical to cooked apples. Add warm cinnamon and a whisper of nutmeg, and your brain fills in the rest.
This trick works so well that this recipe is often searched right alongside things like amish caramel apple pie recipe and apple pie recipe with store bought crust, because at first glance, it looks exactly the same on the plate.
Chef's Tip: Do not overcook the crackers in the syrup. You want them softened but still holding their shape, similar to apple slices. A gentle simmer for about 5 minutes is all you need.
Building the Perfect Mock Apple Filling
The filling comes together in one saucepan, which makes this even easier than a lot of apple crisp recipe using canned pie filling style desserts. Sugar, cream of tartar, and water form a light syrup, the crackers simmer briefly to soften, and lemon juice and zest add the brightness that really sells the apple flavor.
Once the mixture cools slightly, it goes straight into your prepared crust. Mound it a little in the center just like you would with real apple slices, since that classic domed shape is part of what makes this pie so convincing.
- Use fresh lemon juice, not bottled, for the brightest flavor
- Break the crackers by hand into rough, uneven pieces so the texture mimics apple slices
- Do not skip the cinnamon and nutmeg on top of the filling before sealing the crust
Assembling and Baking Your Pie
Once your filling is ready, this comes together just like a traditional double crust pie. Cover with the top crust, crimp the edges, cut a few vents, and brush with egg wash for that beautiful golden shine. A sprinkle of coarse sugar on top adds a little extra sparkle and crunch.
Baking at a higher temperature first helps set the crust, then a lower temperature finishes things gently so the filling has time to meld without over browning the top. If you love the look and feel of an apple crisp recipe with canned apples pie fillings, this bakes with that same comforting, bubbling, golden finish, just tucked inside a flaky crust instead of a crumb topping.
Ready to make it? Here is the full step by step recipe:
Ritz Mock Apple Pie
This classic Ritz Mock Apple Pie recipe uses buttery crackers, cinnamon, and a flaky store bought crust to create a dessert that tastes uncannily like real apple pie.
Ingredients
- 36 crackers Ritz crackers, roughly broken into large pieces
- 2 refrigerated pie crusts, store bought, such as Pillsbury, one for the bottom and one for the top
- 1 3/4 cups granulated sugar, divided
- 2 tsp cream of tartar
- 1 3/4 cups water
- 2 tbsp lemon juice, freshly squeezed
- 1 tsp lemon zest, finely grated
- 1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon, plus extra for sprinkling
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
- 1 large egg, beaten, for egg wash
- 1 tbsp coarse sugar, for sprinkling, optional
Instruction
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Fit one pie crust into a 9 inch pie dish, pressing it gently into the bottom and sides.
In a medium saucepan, combine 1.5 cups of the sugar, the cream of tartar, and water. Bring to a boil over medium high heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves.
Reduce the heat to a simmer and add the broken Ritz crackers. Do not stir too much, just gently fold so the crackers stay in pieces. Simmer for 5 minutes, then remove from heat and let cool for 15 minutes.
Stir in the lemon juice and lemon zest.
Pour the cracker mixture into the prepared crust, mounding it slightly in the center.
Sprinkle the cinnamon, nutmeg, and remaining 1/4 cup sugar evenly over the top. Dot with the butter pieces.
Cover with the second pie crust, trim any excess, and crimp the edges to seal. Cut a few slits in the top crust to allow steam to escape.
Brush the top crust with the beaten egg and sprinkle with coarse sugar and a pinch of extra cinnamon, if using.
Place the pie on a baking sheet to catch any drips and bake for 15 minutes at 425 degrees F.
Reduce the oven temperature to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) and continue baking for 20 to 25 minutes, until the crust is deep golden brown.
Let the pie cool on a wire rack for at least 2 hours before slicing to allow the filling to set.
Equipment
- 9 inch pie dish
- Medium saucepan
- Rolling pin
- Pastry brush
- Baking sheet
- Wire cooling rack
Notes
Serving and Storing Your Ritz Apple Pie
Patience really pays off here. Let the pie cool for at least two hours, or even overnight, so the filling has time to set up properly before slicing. Serve it just like you would a real apple pie, with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of caramel sauce on top.
Leftovers keep beautifully. Store loosely covered at room temperature for up to two days, or refrigerate for up to five days for longer freshness. A quick reheat in a low oven brings back that just baked crispness in the crust.
Whether you are serving this Ritz Cracker Apple Pie for a holiday table or just want to surprise your family with a fun kitchen trick, this recipe proves that sometimes the most memorable desserts come from the most unexpected ingredients.
