The Simple Depression-Era Pie Recipe That's Rich, Buttery and Absolutely Magical

As far as classic Thanksgiving pies go, there are flavors that immediately come to mind: pumpkin, pecan and last but not least, apple. In all of its warm, cinnamon-filled glory, apple pie is a perfect fall pie. To whip one up, you need sugar, butter and flour to make the pie dough (or none of that if you go the store-bought route). And maybe this goes without saying, but you need a lot of apples...or do you?

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What if you could create all those cozy flavors of the all-American pie, with no fruit at all? This may sound like an impossible feat, but a famous Great Depression-era recipe shows you that this dessert magic is possible. Here's how it went when I made Mock Apple Pie in my kitchen.

Get the recipe: Mock Apple Pie

What is a Mock Apple Pie?

Mock apple pie (also sometimes called no-apple apple pie) looks, tastes and smells like a classic apple pie, but this thrifty recipe born out of Great Depression-era scarcity, doesn't use apples. Many years ago, this recipe was also printed on the back of the classic red Ritz Crackers boxes, which stand in for the apples.

The filling is made by combining sugar, cinnamon, lemon juice and water with Ritz crackers, which cook up the consistency of apple pie filling. The absence of apples means no peeling or slicing or dicing (we're in)!

Related: Yes, Thankfully, You Can Freeze Pumpkin Pie—Here’s How To Do It

This old-school recipe has shown up on Serious Eats, All Recipes and has made the rounds on Reddit. "I made this out of curiosity back in the '70s," says one Redditor. "It makes you realize how much of the flavor we associate with apple pie comes from the spices (same goes for pumpkin pie, of course). The crackers end up with a texture reminiscent of overcooked apples."

Another fan goes on about the fascinating history, saying: "These mock pies became very popular during the Great Depression actually! Ritz crackers were much cheaper, versatile, could be found year-round, and are more shelf stable than apples." With all this excitement, I couldn't wait to try this myself.

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Ingredients for the Mock Apple Pie

To make mock apple pie, you need Ritz crackers, egg, milk, sugar, vanilla, water, lemon juice and zest, cream of tartar, cinnamon, butter and two prepared pie crusts (store-bought or homemade).

Related: Great Depression Era Crustless Pecan Pie Recipe

How to Make Mock Apple Pie

Start by combining sugar, water and cream of tartar in a saucepan. Boil the mixture until syrupy, and then stir in lemon zest, juice and vanilla. Layer crumbled crackers into a 9-inch pie crust. Pour the syrup over the crackers, dot with butter and sprinkle with cinnamon. Add the top crust, crimp the edges and brush the crust with egg wash. Bake the pie at 425° until the filling is bubbling and the crust is golden brown, about 30 minutes. Let the pie cool before serving.

Related: Michelle Obama’s Apple Cobbler Captures the Essence of American Baking

My Honest Thoughts About Mock Apple Pie

When I first stumbled on this recipe, I was more than a little skeptical because I don't have the best luck with vintage recipes. Ritz crackers as a stand-in for apples? No way. I tried to keep an open mind about mock recipes, though, as my grandmother loved to make them. So with the spirit of her innovative cooking style, I took the plunge.

Related: Great Depression Era Water Pie Recipe

As the pie baked, the house began to smell like apple pie. The softened, syrupy Ritz crackers took on a flavor and texture remarkably similar to apples, and the addition of lemon and cinnamon gave the dessert that familiar comfort of a true apple-filled apple pie. It was very sweet, a little tart, and plenty buttery—everything you’d want from a Thanksgiving pie.

Related: The Genius Pie Trick That Will Please Everyone at the Thanksgiving Table 

While mock apple pie won't replace your classic apple pie at Thanksgiving, it’s definitely worth trying, especially if you want something fun and unexpected (or you're out of apples or you're baking for someone who's allergic to them). Plus, it’s a great conversation starter for a holiday that's built around sharing stories and creating memories.

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