Which cracker brand promoted mock apple pie from the 1930s onward?

Ritz Crackers promoted mock apple pie from the 1930s onward.

Mock apple pie substitutes crackers for apples, using a sweet, spiced syrup—often with lemon juice, cinnamon, or similar flavorings—to create a filling that resembles an apple pie. The concept was older than Ritz: cracker-based versions appeared in nineteenth-century American cooking and were useful when apples were scarce, expensive, or unavailable.

Ritz made the dish famous to a much wider audience. Nabisco introduced Ritz Crackers in 1934, and the company promoted a mock-apple-pie recipe using Ritz crackers, sugar, and spices during the 1930s and for many years afterward. The recipe became closely linked to the brand through packaging and advertising.

A common misconception is that Ritz invented mock apple pie. The company popularized its own version, but earlier “cracker pie” recipes already existed. Another mix-up is treating the dessert as a true apple pie: the classic Ritz version contains no apples, relying on syrup, seasoning, and the crackers’ texture instead.