Ritz Cracker Mock Apple Pie

 By Bruce Shawkey


For many years, I noticed a recipe on the box of Ritz Crackers for something called "Mock Apple Pie." It never occurred to me that apples were ever in such short supply that Ritz crackers would be cheaper.But I guess apples were in short supply during World War II which was when this rather weird recipe was invented.



Wartime rationing made basic staples such as apples, cheese and onions increasingly rare and elusive commodities. The recipe apparently became so popular that Ritz continued with it until 1993.

The trick to this pie is all in the flavoring. When you break up buttery Ritz crackers and cover them with lemon and vanilla flavored simple syrup, then sprinkle them with cinnamon, the resulting filling is quite similar in texture to a soft and tender apple pie.

Here is the recipe, modernized a bit, by using ready-made pie crusts

For the Crust: 

2 unbaked pie crusts, such as Pillsbury

For the Filling:

2 cups sugar

1 3/4 cups water

2 teaspoons cream of tartar

Zest and 2 tablespoons juice from 1 lemon

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

36 Ritz crackers, coarsely broken

2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into small pieces

3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Directions

preheat oven to 425°F 

In a medium saucepan combine sugar, water, and cream of tartar, whisking until sugar has dissolved. Bring mixture to boil over high heat, whisking occasionally, then reduce heat to medium. Simmer for 15 minutes or until mixture has reduced to 1 1/2 cups. Stir in zest, juice and vanilla. Set aside to cool for 30 minutes.

Roll out crusts. Place bottom crust in pie pan or dish. Add crumbled crackers. Pour syrup over crackers and dot with pieces of butter then sprinkle evenly with cinnamon.

Beat together egg and milk. Place top crust over pie. Seal and flute the edges and brush with egg wash then sprinkle with sugar. Cut several small slits into the top crust to vent the steam. Bake for 30 minutes or until golden brown. Cool and serve. Store covered.

Seems like a lot of trouble, but there it is. Never made it myself, but some people swear it tastes just like real apple pie.

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