Description
This Mock Apple Pie is a clever and delicious twist on traditional apple pie, using Ritz crackers to mimic the texture and flavor of apples. With a buttery, crunchy topping and a sweet, spiced filling, it’s an easy dessert that bakes quickly and satisfies your sweet tooth without actual apples.
Ingredients
Filling
- 1 refrigerated pie crust
- 2 cups water
- 2/3 cup sugar
- 2 teaspoons cream of tartar
- 35 Ritz Crackers, plus a few more to add in the middle
- 1 1/2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
Topping
- 1 cup crushed Ritz Crackers
- 2/3 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/3 cup melted butter
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit to prepare for baking the pie.
- Prepare the pie crust: Place the refrigerated pie crust into a 9-inch pie pan, ensuring it is evenly spread and pressed against the edges.
- Make the filling: In a large saucepan, combine the water, sugar, and cream of tartar. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally.
- Add crackers and simmer: Add the 35 Ritz crackers to the boiling mixture and reduce the heat to medium-low. Let it simmer gently for 5 minutes, stirring only once or twice carefully to avoid breaking the crackers too much.
- Assemble the pie filling: Pour half of the cracker mixture into the prepared pie crust. Place a few additional whole crackers over this first layer, then cover with the remaining cracker mixture.
- Add lemon juice and cinnamon: Sprinkle the cinnamon and lemon juice evenly over the filling to add flavor and mimic the tartness of apples.
- Prepare the topping: In a bowl, combine the crushed Ritz crackers, brown sugar, cinnamon, and melted butter. Stir until all ingredients are thoroughly mixed.
- Top the pie: Evenly sprinkle the topping mixture over the pie filling.
- Bake at 400°F: Place the pie in the oven and bake for 10 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit to set the topping.
- Reduce heat and cover crust edges: Lower the oven temperature to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Cover the edges of the pie crust with foil to prevent over-browning.
- Continue baking: Bake the pie for an additional 20 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit, allowing the filling to thicken and the crust to bake through.
- Cool the pie: Remove the pie from the oven and allow it to cool completely so the filling can set before serving.
Notes
- You can substitute the refrigerated pie crust with a homemade pie crust if preferred.
- The cream of tartar helps replicate the tartness typically found in apple pies.
- Be gentle when stirring the crackers in the saucepan to maintain some texture resembling apple chunks.
- Covering the pie crust edges with foil protects them from burning during the longer baking time.
- Allow the pie to cool completely for the filling to firm up properly before slicing.
