Ritz Cracker Mock Apple Pie

No apples, no kidding. This old-fashioned Ritz cracker mock apple pie uses crackers, cinnamon, lemon, and sugar to create a filling that tastes surprisingly close to apple pie.

Ingredients

• 1 double pie crust
• 36 Ritz crackers, coarsely broken
• 2 cups sugar
• 2 teaspoons cream of tartar
• 1 3/4 cups water
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 2 tablespoons butter, diced

Instructions

1. Heat oven to 425 degrees F.
2. Place the bottom crust in a 9-inch pie plate.
3. Bring sugar, cream of tartar, and water to a boil. Simmer 10 minutes.
4. Stir in lemon juice and lemon zest.
5. Layer broken crackers in the pie crust and pour the hot syrup over them.
6. Sprinkle with cinnamon and dot with butter.
7. Add top crust, seal, and cut vents.
8. Bake 30 to 35 minutes, until golden and bubbling. Cool before slicing.

Mood Messy Tips

• Do not crush the crackers too fine; larger pieces help mimic apple slices.
• Let the pie cool so the filling can set.
• Serve with vanilla ice cream for the full old-school dessert moment.

Video: Watch the original Mood Messy Kitchen TikTok inspiration here.