Mock Apple Pie began as a thrifty way to make a sweet treat from pantry staples in the late 1800s, but became popular during the privations of the 1930s. It stayed popular, though, because of its homey, comforting deliciousness.
Mock Apple Pie
What’s more American than apple pie? I’d say the only thing that comes close is ingenuity in the face of scarcity!
I served this pie to my husband a few nights ago and he loved it. The look on his face was priceless when I later told him there was no fruit in it. The flavor is reminiscent of a combination of pecan pie and apple pie and the whole family agrees it is delicious.
While there is a little bit of disagreement about the origins of mock apple pie, we do know that one of the first times it appeared in print was in about 1887. What everyone agrees about is that it exploded in popularity in the thirties when apples were expensive and hard to find.
The texture of the pie is so close to apples, that unless you say it is “mock apple pie” people may assume it’s an apple pie. I’m pretty sure that this is one I’ve tasted and enjoyed without knowing it before!
Mock Apple Pie Recipe
You’ll need the following ingredients to make this recipe:
Pie Ingredients
- prepared pie crust, store-bought or homemade
- water
- sugar
- cream of tartar
- buttery round crackers (i.e. Ritz crackers)
- ground cinnamon
- lemon juice
Topping Ingredients
- crushed buttery round crackers (i.e. Ritz crackers)
- packed brown sugar
- ground cinnamon
- butter
Ritz Cracker Mock Apple Pie
Place the pie crust in a pie pan and crimp the edges. Prick the bottom of the crust a few times with a fork. Set aside.
To make the filling: Combine the water, lemon juice, sugar, cream of tartar, and cinnamon in a medium saucepan and bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat.
Drop in whole crackers and boil for 3 minutes.
Remove from the heat and carefully pour the mixture into the pie shell.
To make the topping: Place the crushed crackers, brown sugar, melted butter, and cinnamon in a medium-sized bowl. Stir to combine. Sprinkle the topping over the pie filling.
Bake for 15 minutes at 425°F. Reduce the heat to 375°F and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes. Serve warm.
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And for a quick and easy dessert that is fancy enough for company, these Caramel Apple Puff Pastries are great with ice cream.
Mock Apple Pie
Ingredients
Pie Ingredients
- 1 prepared pie crust store-bought or homemade
- 2 cups water
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 teaspoons cream of tartar
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 28 buttery round crackers (i.e. Ritz crackers)
Topping Ingredients
- 28 crushed buttery round crackers about 1 cup of finely crushed crackers
- ½ cup packed brown sugar
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ⅓ cup butter melted
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425°F. Place the pie crust in a pie pan and crimp the edges. Prick the bottom of the crust a few times with a fork. Set aside.
- To make the filling: Combine the water, lemon juice, sugar, cream of tartar, and cinnamon in a medium saucepan and bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat.
- Drop in whole crackers and boil for 3 minutes – do not stir. Remove from the heat and carefully pour the mixture into the pie shell.
- To make the topping: Place the crushed crackers, brown sugar, melted butter, and cinnamon in a medium-sized bowl. Stir to combine. Sprinkle the topping over the pie filling.
- Bake for 15 minutes at 425°F. Reduce the heat to 375°F and bake for an additional 15 minutes. Serve warm.
Nutrition
Arlene W says
I can remember having this when I was living at home as as a young child. My mom called it Apple Pie, Ha ha! We all loved it! I haven’t made in a long time but can remember my young children disbelieving it didn’t have apples in it.
Mary Younkin says
That is wonderful, Arlene! Thank you so much for sharing your memories about this pie with us.