Mock Apple Pie Recipe
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Craving apple pie but don’t have any apples? This Mock Apple Pie is just what you need. Even though this is an old-fashioned recipe, it’s going crazy on TikTok right now. People are amazed because the taste and texture mimic apple pie without any apples in the recipe. The Ritz crackers soak up the sweet, spicy syrup and taste just like apples.
It’s so easy and different. You’ll want to make it just to see the looks on everyone’s faces when you tell them there aren’t any apples! It’s great for potlucks, holiday desserts, or whenever you want something quick, easy, and delicious!
Ingredients You Will Need
- Refrigerated Pie Crust Provides the structure for the pie, mimicking a traditional apple pie crust.
- Water Acts as the base for the syrup that binds the cracker “apples” together.
- Sugar Sweetens the filling and balances the tartness of the lemon juice and cream of tartar.
- Cream of Tartar Creates a tangy flavor that mimics the tartness of apples and helps stabilize the syrup mixture.
- Ritz Crackers Take on a soft, apple-like texture when soaked in the syrup.
- Lemon Juice Adds acidity, enhancing the “apple” flavor and brightening the overall taste.
- Cinnamon Gives a warm, familiar spice that’s essential in apple pie.
- Brown Sugar Sweetens the topping and gives it a rich, caramel-like flavor.
- Butter Binds the topping ingredients together and creates a crisp, golden-brown crust.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are Ritz crackers used in the filling? Ritz Crackers mimic the texture of apples when cooked, especially with the sugar and cream of tartar, giving the pie its “mock apple” flavor and texture.
How do I know when the filling is ready? The filling is ready when the sugar, water, and cream of tartar mixture becomes syrupy and the crackers soften but hold some structure.
Can I make this pie ahead of time? Yes! You can make it a day ahead and store it at room temperature, covered. Reheat in the oven at a low temperature to refresh the texture.
What’s the best way to crush the Ritz crackers for the topping? Place the crackers in a sealed plastic bag and crush them with a rolling pin or use a food processor. Aim for a coarse texture, not fine crumbs, to keep the topping crunchy.
What do I do if my filling is too watery? If the filling is too thin, simmer it a bit longer before adding the crackers to thicken it.
Helpful Tips
Boil gently: When simmering the water, sugar, and cream of tartar, stir constantly to avoid crystallization. The mixture should be smooth and syrupy before adding crackers.
Sprinkle lightly: When adding the topping, sprinkle it evenly to avoid clumping, ensuring a consistent, crispy texture across the whole pie.
Watch the bake: Cover the pie with foil if the topping browns too quickly. Remove it during the last 5–10 minutes for a golden crust.
Let it cool: Allow the pie to cool completely before slicing. The filling thickens as it cools, making it easier to serve.
Seal the edges: Brush the edges of the crust with an egg wash for a golden, glossy finish.
Storage Tips
Room Temperature (Short-Term Storage):
- Timeframe: Up to 2 days.
- Tip: Keep the pie covered with foil or plastic wrap to prevent it from drying out. Store it in a cool, dry place.
Refrigeration (Longer Storage):
- Timeframe: 3-4 days.
- Tip: Place the pie in an airtight container or cover it tightly with plastic wrap or foil before refrigerating.
Freezing (For Longer Storage):
- Timeframe: Up to 2 months.
- Tip: Wrap the pie in plastic wrap, then a layer of aluminum foil, and place it in a freezer-safe bag. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before serving.
Pro Tip: For best texture, reheat slices in the oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes to crisp up the topping. Avoid microwaving, as it can make the crust and crackers soggy.
Substitutions and Variations
Ritz crackers: Substitute with saltine crackers or pretzel crackers for a slightly different texture.
Add a pinch of nutmeg or ground ginger to both the filling and topping for a spicier kick.
Sprinkle a little sea salt on the topping to balance the sweetness.
Caramel Mock Apple Pie: Drizzle caramel sauce over the filling before adding the topping.
Mock Apple Crumble: Skip the pie crust and bake the filling in a dish topped with just the crumble mixture.
What to Serve with Mock Apple Pie
Vanilla Ice Cream: The creamy richness of vanilla ice cream contrasts nicely with the warm, slightly spiced pie.
Whipped Cream: A dollop of freshly whipped cream adds lightness and extra richness.
Caramel Sauce: Drizzle caramel over the top for an extra layer of sweetness and depth.
Cheese: Serve a slice of sharp cheddar alongside the pie. The sharpness of the cheese balances the sweetness and adds a savory note that complements the pie.
Fresh Fruit: A light fruit salad, such as one with berries or citrus, can provide a refreshing contrast to the richness of the pie.
Other Recipes You May Enjoy
If you like this Mock Apple Pie, you might also like my Homemade Apple Pie or my Apple Crisp. These Apple Pie Bars and this Vegan Coffee Cake Recipe are also delicious.
Final Thoughts
Mock Apple Pie is the dessert you didn’t know you needed. Trust me, you need to try this. Once you try it, you’ll want to make it for your friends and family just to show them how much it tastes like real apple pie, but without apples. They probably won’t believe you! It’s a fun conversation starter, too.
Mock Apple Pie
Ingredients
Filling
- 1 Pie Crust refrigerated
- 2 Cups Water
- ⅔ Cup Sugar
- 2 teaspoons Cream of Tartar
- 35 Ritz Crackers
- 1½ Tablespoons Lemon Juice
- 2 teaspoons Cinnamon
Topping
- 1 Cup Ritz Crackers crushed
- ⅔ Cup Brown Sugar
- ½ teaspoon Cinnamon
- ⅓ Cup Butter melted
Instructions
- 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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