Name: Mock Apple Pie
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 8 Servings
Cuisine: American

January 23, 2026

Craving apple pie but out of apples? This Mock Apple Pie uses Ritz Crackers for a surprisingly delicious twist. Try it for your next dessert!

From the Cook

1/12

WarningMilk and 5 other allergens identified

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Preheat oven to 400℉.

Place refrigerated pie crust into a 9-inch pie pan.

In a large saucepan, add water, sugar, and cream of tartar.

Turn the stove to medium-high and bring the mixture to a boil.

Add 35 Ritz crackers and simmer on medium-low for 5 minutes, gently stirring once or twice.

Fill the pie crust with half the mixture and lay a few more crackers on top of the filling. Cover with the rest of the filling.

Sprinkle the cinnamon and lemon juice over the top.

Combine 1 cup of Ritz crackers, brown sugar, ½ teaspoon cinnamon, and melted butter into a bowl for the topping. Stir to combine.

Sprinkle over the top of the filling.

Bake at 400℉ for 10 minutes.

Reduce the temperature to 350℉ and cover the edges of the pie crust with foil. Bake 20 more minutes.

Remove from the oven and let cool on a cooling rack so it can set.

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My Notes

Whether it's a recipe tweak or an inspiration burst — jot it down here.

Cracker Crushing Technique 🥄
Crush Ritz crackers uniformly by placing them in a sealed plastic bag and gently rolling with a rolling pin to create a consistent texture for the mock apple filling.
Syrup Secret Weapon 🍯
When creating the syrup base, let the cream of tartar, sugar, water, and lemon juice simmer slowly to develop a deep, complex flavor that mimics real apple filling.
Moisture Management 💧
Drain excess liquid from the cracker mixture to prevent a soggy bottom crust, ensuring a crisp and flaky pie texture.
Spice Layering Trick 🌶️
Toast your ground cinnamon briefly in a dry pan before adding to the recipe to unlock deeper, more aromatic cinnamon notes.
Crust Crimping Pro Tip 🥧
Use a fork or your fingers to create a decorative edge on the pie crust that not only looks professional but helps seal in the mock apple filling.