Cocoa Ritz Cracker Pie
This Cocoa Ritz Cracker Pie is perfect for any holiday and especially around Thanksgiving. This homemade pie is packed full of flavor and has an easy to make process that youโll be certain to love. If youโre looking for an easy recipe that will have everyone running to the table, this is the one for you! And it can be made ahead of time.
Cocoa Ritz Cracker Pie
There isnโt anything that a slice of pie wonโt cure. And this is why I make this during the holidays โ because it brings back wonderful memories that Iโll cherish forever.
One of the main reasons I love making this pie is using this stoneware pie plate. My Mother had 3 of these at one time, which she had for many years. She gave me one of them a very long time ago, so since she is no longer alive, not only do I enjoy this recipe she passed on to me, but memories of this pie plate.
She was frugal about items she bought so I have to think they had to be pretty cheap to buy, and especially if she bought three of them.
How to make this Ritz Cracker Pie recipe
The main thing to think about when youโre making this pie is that the Ritz cracker crust is the star of the show. This doesnโt mean that the rest of the ingredients arenโt โ but with a name all about the crackers, you know that itโs good.
Ingredients:
3 egg whites at room temperature***
1 C sugar
1 C pecans, finely chopped
23 Ritz crackers, finely crushed
1 t vanilla
Chocolate Whipped Cream Topping
ยพ C heavy whipping cream
2 T sugar
2 โ 4 T instant cocoa**
Directions:
PIE:
Beat egg whites until stiff peaks form.
Gently fold in other ingredients.
Pour your filling into a greased 8โ pie pan and bake 25 โ 30 minutes at 325.
The pie will just start to turn brown as it is getting done.
Place on wire rack and cool completely before adding topping.
TOPPING:
Start whipping the cream until it just becomes frothy.
Add the sugar and instant cocoa and continue whipping until stiff peaks form.
Spread this over the cool pie and refrigerate immediately.
Toasted Pecan pieces can be added for garnish on top.
Refrigerate any leftovers.
*** Egg whites can be brought to room temperature quickly if you place them in a glass or metal bowl and set in another bowl of warm water for 5 โ 10 minutes.
**The instant cocoa can be added to your taste.
Plus remember, this is sweet also, so if you add 4 T of instant cocoa, you might decrease your sugar slightly.
TO FREEZE:
After letting the pie cool completely, wrap in a couple of layers of saran wrap, then aluminum foil and freeze.
DO NOT add the whipped topping before freezing.
To thaw, just let it set on the counter, still wrapped, at room temperature for a couple of hours.
Add your topping and serve, or refrigerate until serving.
Whatโs the best way to crunch up the Ritz Crackers?
There are several ways that you can do this. If you have a food processor, you can use that and just toss them and let it do all the work. However, if you have a rolling pin and a Ziploc bag, that will work just fine, too. (itโs especially fun if you have little helpers in the kitchen because they LOVE to break up the crackers!)
Just add the crackers into the bag, make certain that itโs sealed, and mash and roll and break them up. Thatโs really all there is to it!
Really though Ritz Crackers are so easy to just crush by hand. Place in a Ziploc bag and just crush them. Seems like a good way to take out frustration too.
Can you freeze this Ritz Cracker Pie recipe once made?
You can! In fact, itโs actually a really great texture once you pop it in the freezer and eat it later. Just cover it very well to keep out the air and it should freeze up just fine. See the note above about freezing.
Toppings to add to this Ritz Pie Recipe
Even though this cracker crust pie recipe is pretty dang good on its own, you can easily add other toppings as well to your slice of the pie. Swirl a little chocolate syrup on the plate before serving.
About the only topping you need is a few more toasted pecans or maybe some chocolate chipes.
Are you ready to make this delicious Ritz Cracker Pie recipe? I have a feeling that once you realize how simple it is to make a pie without the need of a crust, this will be a family and holiday favorite in your home too.
Cocoa Ritz Pie
Ingredients
- Pie Ingredients
- 3 egg whites at room temperature***
- 1 C sugar
- 1 C pecans, finely chopped
- 23 Ritz crackers, finely crushed
- 1 t vanilla
- Chocolate Whipped Cream Topping
- ยพ C heavy whipping cream
- 2 T sugar
- 2 โ 4 T instant cocoa**
Notes
PIE
Beat egg whites until stiff peaks form.
Gently fold in other ingredients.
Pour your filling into a greased 8โ pie pan and bake 25 โ 30 minutes at 325.
The pie will just start to turn brown as it is getting done.
Place on wire rack and cool completely before adding topping.
TOPPING
Start whipping the cream until it just becomes frothy.
Add the sugar and instant cocoa and continue whipping until stiff peaks form.
Spread this over the cool pie and refrigerate immediately.
Toasted Pecan pieces can be added for garnish on top.
Refrigerate any leftovers.
*** Egg whites can be brought to room temperature quickly if you place them in a glass or metal bowl and set in another bowl of warm water for 5 - 10 minutes.
**The instant cocoa can be added to your taste.
Plus remember, this is sweet also, so if you add 4 T of instant cocoa, you might decrease your sugar slightly.
TO FREEZE:
After letting the pie cool completely, wrap in a couple of layers of saran wrap, then aluminum foil and freeze.
DO NOT add the whipped topping before freezing.
To thaw, just let it set on the counter, still wrapped, at room temperature for a couple of hours.
Add your topping and serve, or refrigerate until serving.
More Dessert Recipes
- Mini Personal Pumpkin Pies
- Best Chocolate Cake Recipe
- Chocolate Guinness Bundt Cake
- Greek Yogurt Berry Cheesecake Parfaits
- Apple Cakes Recipes for Fall
Iโve included affiliate links to Amazon for you to find some products easier. I may receive a small commission, but the price is the same for you. It just helps my blog out.
Happy Travels,
Rosemary
yummy. reminds me of so many pot lucks.
I love salty and sweet together!
Me too – of course you can’t beat chocolate covered pretzels.
I love desserts that I can make now and freeze for later. This pie sounds wicked good. I will try it soon ๐
I hope you make it. It’s so good.
Sounds easy and delicious. Using crackers is always great and gives a different flavor to your pie.
You would never know it had Ritz Crackers in it.
I am so sorry to hear about your Mom. I think she would be proud that you have continued her tradition of using the stoneware for your pies. I imagine that they would make a superb crust. Thank you for sharing.
It’s almost like I’m afraid to use it as I don’t want to break it.
That pie looks so good! Can I have a bite??
I wish I had some right now.
This looks so delicious and really simple enough to make. I love that you gave a freezing option so that I can make it ahead of time for a holiday event! Super awesome!
It really does freeze well and really easy to do. Hope you try this.
This looks yummy Rosemary and seems simple enough to make. I’ll be passing this on to my pie making sister to try.
It’s great to make a couple and have them on hand for anything last minute. I hope she tries it and you love it as much as I do.
What an interesting pie! It sounds good and very easy to make too. I’ll have to save your recipe and make this with the kids.
They would have fun crushing the crackers. And it’s yummy.
Oh yes please, this pie looks fabulous. I’ve always been a fan of pies. It’s so sweet that your mom gave you a pan so you can think of her when you make this pie.
It’s really good when you want something different.
Now I most definitely need to try this, I have to admit I am not a fan of crusts so anything without it is definitely a plus1
Hope you try it – making pie crust just isn’t my thing.
I have never had a Ritz pie before. How sweet that you have your mom’s pie plate and all the memories of it.
You would never know Ritz crackers were in it. I love my pie plate.
Oh, I bet this tastes heavenly! I love that no crust is required. Brillant!
Pie crust is one of those things I just don’t like to make. Usually Pillsbury if I need it. But no crust is better.
This would be a really good one for Thanksgiving! It sounds so tasty and I like how pretty it looks!
It really is good. And make ahead makes it great for any busy time.
The pie looks soft, gooey and full of taste. I love the fact that you are attached to the pie plate as it has your mom’s memories associated with it. So many household items have memories associated with them and are a great way to remember loved ones.
I was in a blogger conference once and they said to not give any stories, just the recipes. I think they mean so much more when you know the history. Thanks and hope you try it.
Cocoa and Ritz?! What’s not to love about that! Nothing like a good easy recipe…and a little chocolate never hurts.
And with whipping cream – chocolate whipping cream – even better.
Well, now I need pie, in the middle of the afternoon no less! Sounds like a great recipe to try during the holiday season.
It’s always time for pie. Watch out though, you will eat more than you think.
this looks so delicious!My daugther will love this for sure.
This pie looks delicious and so easy to make. Thank you so much for sharing this recipe with us.
It is all that. And more. Hope you try it.
This pie looks absolutely delicious! I love the flavor combination of sweet and salty. I never would’ve thought to use Ritz crackers in the crust!
I never thought of using Ritz as a pie crust. I would definitely give it a try. It is so awesome that your mom passed that plate down to you. Now you will always have something to remember her by.
You would never know Ritz crackers was in this.
I wish Ritz would make a gluten free cracker so I can try this; I love salty and sweet desserts!
Are there any buttery crackers gluten free? I don’t know a lot about gluten free things. Hope you find something because it’s really good.
This looks so decadent and delicious I definitely had to pin to try over the holidays. I love family recipes…thanks for sharing yours!
Hope you enjoy it as much as we do.
Your cocoa Ritz pie sounds so delicious, Rosemary, now I just need to hide a box of crackers because the kids finish them before anyone else has a chance.
Maybe crush them up ahead of time, then they won’t want them. Hope you try it.
Sounds delicious! I love a crustless pie.
Pinning for Thanksgiving.
Have a great day,
Kippi
Pie crust is my least favorite thing to make.
This looks delicious! I canโt wait to try it!!
It’s something the whole family has loved and made all through the years.
I have so many treasures from my mom, too, and somehow I think the food just tastes better when it’s served on one of those pieces. It’s like the memories are baked right in. Off to pin this yummy recipe. Thanks for sharing and Happy Holidays!
Thanks. Always a little sentimental when I make this.
Looking for some new dessert recipes for Thanksgiving. this look amazing.
A long time family favorite. So easy, and make it ahead too.