Classic Ritz Mock Apple Pie
Ingredients
- 1 package (2 crusts) unbaked 9-inch pie crusts
- 36 Ritz crackers, coarsely broken
- 2 cups (475 ml) water
- 2 cups (400 g) granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons cream of tartar
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon freshly grated lemon zest
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into small cubes
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Instructions
- 1
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a 9-inch pie pan with one of the unbaked pie crusts.
- 2
Coarsely break the Ritz crackers directly into the pie crust, keeping the pieces relatively large to mimic apple slices.
- 3
In a medium saucepan, combine the water, granulated sugar, and cream of tartar. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce heat and simmer gently for 15 minutes.
- 4
Remove the syrup from heat and stir in the fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, and ground cinnamon.
- 5
Carefully pour the hot spiced syrup evenly over the crackers in the pie shell, allowing them to soak up the liquid. Dot the top with the cubed butter.
- 6
Cover with the top pie crust, seal and flute the edges, and cut several small slits on top for steam to escape. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes until the crust is deep golden brown. Cool completely on a wire rack before slicing.
Notes
The chemical combination of cream of tartar and lemon juice supplies the tartness associated with Granny Smith apples, while the buttery crackers absorb the hot syrup and expand into soft layers that strikingly match the texture of baked apple slices.
The Story Behind Ritz Mock Apple Pie
Originating during the Great Depression in the 1930s, the Ritz Mock Apple Pie was created by Nabisco marketing home economists as an affordable alternative when fresh fruit was out of season or cost-prohibitive. Using buttery crackers, sugar syrup, and cream of tartar to replicate the tart flavor and delicate texture of cooked apples, it quickly became a triumph of American culinary resourcefulness. Over the decades, this famous recipe remained printed on cracker boxes, becoming a beloved piece of mid-century food heritage.
Discover Classic Ritz Mock Apple Pie
Alton Brown
Known for examining the scientific wizardry behind American food history, Alton Brown has highlighted how cream of tartar's acidity reacts with starch to simulate the texture and taste profile of cooked apples. He views this vintage pie as a brilliant, historical masterclass in food chemistry and culinary thrift.