Ritz Mock Apple Pie
This classic Ritz Mock Apple Pie recipe uses buttery crackers and a cinnamon syrup to create a shockingly convincing apple pie flavor, no apples required.
The Pie That Fools Everyone
If you have never heard of Ritz Mock Apple Pie, get ready for one of the strangest and most delightful kitchen tricks of the twentieth century. This vintage recipe uses buttery Ritz crackers instead of actual apples, simmered in a cinnamon lemon syrup that mimics the flavor and texture of a classic apple pie recipe with store bought crust almost perfectly. It sounds impossible, but the cream of tartar syrup does something magical to the crackers, softening them just enough to mimic tender apple slices while the cinnamon and lemon do all the flavor work.
This recipe became famous back when Ritz crackers printed it right on the box, and it has stuck around ever since as a fun, budget friendly dessert. It is also a great option if you are ever caught without fresh apples but still want that cozy pie flavor everyone loves.
Before we get cooking, the right tools and ingredients make a real difference here. A good quality double pie crust and fresh lemons for zesting will take this from a novelty dessert to something genuinely delicious. Having a reliable pie dish and a pastry brush on hand also makes the assembly process much smoother.
Why Crackers Taste Like Apples
It really does sound too strange to work, but there is real kitchen science behind it. Ritz crackers are made with flour, sugar, and vegetable oil, giving them a neutral, slightly sweet base that soaks up flavor beautifully. When you simmer sugar and cream of tartar with water, you get a syrup with a tang very similar to cooked apples. Add lemon juice and cinnamon, and your brain fills in the rest.
Chef's Tip: Do not skip the cream of tartar. It is the ingredient responsible for that tart, fruity edge that makes this pie taste uncannily like real apple pie filling.
This method is actually a cousin to a lot of other classic depression era desserts, similar in spirit to an Amish caramel apple pie recipe, where clever substitutions and pantry staples stretch further than you would expect.
Assembling Your Mock Apple Pie
Once your syrup has cooled slightly, the actual assembly comes together fast. Layer your broken crackers into the crust like you would apple slices, pour the syrup over top, and let it soak in. The crackers will puff up just a bit and soften around the edges while staying pleasantly textured in the center, very similar to a bite of a classic easy apple pie recipe with store bought crust.
If you love the format of this dessert but want something even quicker, this same cinnamon syrup trick pairs wonderfully with an apple crisp recipe using canned pie filling for those nights when you want dessert on the table in under an hour.
Chef's Tip: Let the syrup cool for about 10 minutes before pouring it over the crackers. Pouring it too hot can make the bottom crust soggy before it even hits the oven.
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 and a cinnamon syrup to create a shockingly convincing apple pie flavor, no apples required.
Ingredients
- 36 Ritz crackers, roughly broken into small pieces, about one sleeve
- 2 refrigerated pie crusts, store bought, for a double crust pie
- 1 3/4 cups granulated sugar, divided
- 1 3/4 tsp cream of tartar
- 2 cups water
- 2 tbsp lemon juice, freshly squeezed
- 1 tsp lemon zest, finely grated
- 1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon, plus extra for sprinkling
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
- 1 large egg, beaten, for egg wash
- 1 tbsp coarse sugar, optional, for topping
Instruction
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Fit one pie crust into a 9 inch pie dish and set it aside in the fridge to stay cold.
In a medium saucepan, combine 1.5 cups of the sugar, the cream of tartar, and the water. Bring to a boil over medium high heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves.
Reduce the heat and simmer the syrup for about 8 minutes, until it thickens slightly. Remove from heat and stir in the lemon juice and lemon zest. Let the syrup cool for 10 minutes.
Spread the broken Ritz crackers evenly into the chilled pie crust.
Slowly pour the warm syrup over the crackers, making sure every piece gets moistened. Let it sit for a few minutes so the crackers soften slightly.
Sprinkle the cinnamon and remaining 1/4 cup sugar evenly over the top, then dot with the butter pieces.
Roll out the second pie crust and place it over the filling. Trim the excess dough, then crimp the edges to seal. Cut a few small slits in the top for steam to escape.
Brush the top crust with the beaten egg and sprinkle with coarse sugar if using.
Bake for 15 minutes at 425 degrees F, then reduce the oven temperature to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) and bake for another 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, so the filling can set.
Equipment
- 9 inch pie dish
- Medium saucepan
- Rolling pin
- Pastry brush
- Wire cooling rack
Notes
Serving and Storing Your Pie
Patience is the hardest part of this recipe. Let the Ritz cracker apple pie cool completely, at least 2 hours, so the filling has time to set into pie worthy slices instead of falling apart. Serve it slightly warm or at room temperature with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for the full experience.
Store leftovers loosely covered at room temperature for a day, or refrigerate for up to 4 days. A quick 10 minute reheat in a 300 degree F oven brings the crust back to life if it has softened in the fridge.
A Few Easy Variations
- Swap in a splash of apple cider for some of the water in the syrup for extra depth.
- Add a pinch of nutmeg alongside the cinnamon for a warmer, spiced flavor.
- Turn this into a lattice top pie for a prettier presentation if you are serving guests.
However you serve it, this Ritz apple pie recipe is proof that a little kitchen creativity can turn a box of crackers into a dessert nobody will believe is not made with real apples.
