Maybe, maybe not. Sister-san, along with Aunt Wrong Way (or is that Which Way?), sent me the recipe for Mock Apple Pie that once adorned the Ritz cracker box. Auntie's version appears first below; Sister's version, which follows, differs slightly.
Sister-san actually put her recipe to the test. Field report:
"While I wouldn't say it's great, it's pretty decent. Although soggy cooked crackers duplicate the texture of soggy cooked apples relatively well, the flavor seems to come mostly from the sugar water, lemon juice, and grated lemon rind. Instead of "mock apple," it's "authentic lemon." Mmm, mmm. Still good with ice cream!"
Would it be wrong to have dessert at 8:45 a.m.?
1-1/2 cup water
1-1/2 cup sugar
1 tsp. cinnamon
2 tsp. cream of tartar
15 broken soda crackers or Ritz crackers
Prepare pie crust. Break up 15 crackers into it. Boil the remaining ingredients and pour onto the crackers. Bake at 400 degrees for 15-20 minutes.
Voila!
Roll out bottom crust and fit into pie pan. Break Ritz crackers coarsely into pastry-lined plate. Combine water, sugar and cream of tartar in sauce-pan; boil gently for 15 min. Add lemon juice and rind. Cool. Pour syrup over crackers, dot generously with butter or margarine and sprinkle with cinnamon. cover w/top crust. Trim and flute edges together. Cut slits in top crust to let steam escape. Bake in a hot oven (425 degrees F) 30-35 min, until crust is crisp and golden. Serve warm. Makes 6-8 servings.