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Cocoa Ritz Cracker Pie

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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 you’ll be certain to love. If you’re 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 pie my home and travels pinterest image

 

Cocoa Ritz Cracker Pie

There isn’t anything that a slice of pie won’t cure. And this is why I make this during the holidays – because it brings back wonderful memories that I’ll 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. 

cocoa ritz pie my home and travels moms 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 you’re making this pie is that the Ritz cracker crust is the star of the show. This doesn’t mean that the rest of the ingredients aren’t – but with a name all about the crackers, you know that it’s 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
¾ C heavy whipping cream
2 T sugar
2 – 4 T instant cocoa**

Directions:

PIE:

Beat egg whites until stiff peaks form.

Gently fold in other ingredients.

Pour your filling into a greased 8” pie pan and bake 25 – 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.

 

What’s 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. (it’s 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 it’s sealed, and mash and roll and break them up. That’s 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, it’s 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.

cocoa ritz pie my home and travels pie on plate

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

cocoa ritz pie my home and travels feature image

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
  • ¾ C heavy whipping cream
  • 2 T sugar
  • 2 – 4 T instant cocoa**

Notes

PIE
Beat egg whites until stiff peaks form.
Gently fold in other ingredients.
Pour your filling into a greased 8” pie pan and bake 25 – 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 

 

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I’ve 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

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54 Comments

  1. I love desserts that I can make now and freeze for later. This pie sounds wicked good. I will try it soon 🙂

  2. 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.

  3. 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!

  4. 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.

  5. I have never had a Ritz pie before. How sweet that you have your mom’s pie plate and all the memories of it.

  6. 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.

  7. 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!

  8. 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.

  9. 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!

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