This vintage recipe, Soda Cracker Pie (a.k.a. Stupid Pie), is one of the easiest desserts you’ll ever make! Made with just 6 simple ingredients, this cherished favorite is budget-friendly, requires no crust, and features one surprising secret ingredient…saltine crackers. Trust me, it magically transforms into a light, chewy, delicious meringue-like pie that’s been a favorite for generations.
Published On: April 4, 2016 | Last Updated: November 9, 2025
(New!) This post has been updated and includes a new, printable recipe card!
Why it is called Stupid Pie
The name “Stupid Pie” most likely comes from how ridiculously easy this Depression era style pie is to make! It requires just a few simple ingredients and no traditional pie crust. The finely crushed saltine crackers, egg whites, sugar, and pecans, along with the vanilla and baking powder, transform into a surprisingly chewy, salty-sweet meringue like pie during baking.
My friend Elizabeth gave me this cherished family recipe years ago when I was living in Colorado. This easy-to-make dessert has just a few ingredients and is absolutely delicious. I can’t believe I waited so long to make this heavenly pie…I can see why it’s been a holiday favorite for generations.
After doing some research, I found that this pie is known by a few names and variations: Cracker Pie, Ritz Cracker Pie, Piccadilly Cafeteria Pecan Delight Pie, Mystery Pie, Cracker Meringue Pie, Ritz Meringue Pie, and more. This pie can be made with saltine crackers or Ritz crackers. My friend has even used wheat saltine crackers. Who knew egg whites, crushed soda crackers, chopped pecans, sugar, vanilla and baking powder could make such a magical treat. I love this pie!
INGREDIENTS YOU NEED TO MAKE SODA CRACKER PIE (Stupid Pie)
You only need six simple ingredients (plus desired toppings) to make this delicious pie. Here’s a quick look at what you’ll need. Full measurements are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post.
- saltine crackers (or soda crackers, finely crushed)
- egg whites (separated from the yolks)
- chopped pecans (or walnuts)
- granulated sugar
- pure vanilla extract
- baking powder
- Toppings (fresh whipped cream, Cool Whip, ice cream, berries, fresh fruit)
HOW TO MAKE SODA CRACKER PIE
Prep the Pan and Oven: Preheat oven to 325°F. Grease a 9-inch pie plate very well – the pie will stick if not properly prepared!
Whip the Meringue: In a medium bowl, beat the egg whites until stiff peaks form. The meringue should hold its shape when you lift the whisk.
Gently Fold Ingredients: Next, gradually add the remaining ingredients (sugar, vanilla, finely crushed crackers, pecans, and baking powder). Gently fold the mixture using a spatula. Do not stir or beat.
Bake the Pie: Pour the mixture evenly into the prepared pie plate. Bake on the middle rack of the oven for 30 minutes.
Cool and Top with Whipped Cream, Fresh Fruit, and Serve: Cool completely before serving. Top the cooled pie with fresh whipped cream and fresh fruit (like strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, or peaches) and enjoy!
Even though there are soda crackers in the pie, you don’t taste them at all! This homey dessert tastes exactly like what you get if a pecan pie and a macaroon had a baby. It’s not nearly as sweet as a pecan pie, either… it’s just so, so right.
Top the soda cracker pie with fresh whipped cream, fruit and berries or even vanilla ice cream, and you have one awesome dessert to serve family and friends. I can see why this is my friend’s go-to dessert during the holidays. Thank you, Elizabeth, for such a wonderful recipe. This will be cherished for years to come.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Yes! The pie will be richer due to the butter in the Ritz crackers, but it will still be delicious. Ritz crackers are often used in Cracker Pies, so be sure to experiment with different variations of this recipe!
Yes! Since the pie is usually topped with whipped cream, it should be covered and stored in the refrigerator.
The pie will last up to 3 days in the refrigerator.
More Vintage Favorites You Should Try!
PINNABLE IMAGE
Please Note: Some may think Soda Cracker Pie is the same as the classic Ritz Cracker Mock Apple Pie recipe, but the two are different. Both pies are made with crackers, but Mock Apple Pie is made with a double-pie crust, no eggs, cinnamon, and more. It tastes like apple pie, but it’s made without apples!
Soda Cracker Pie (Stupid Pie)
Equipment
- 9-inch pie plate
Ingredients
- 18 soda crackers, finely crushed
- 3 large egg whites
- 1 cup pecans, chopped
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 ½ teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
Toppings
- fresh whipped cream, Cool Whip, ice cream, berries, fresh fruit
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Grease a 9-inch round pie dish (grease well).
- In a medium size bowl, beat egg whites until stiff peaks form.
- Next, gradually add remaining ingredients (sugar, vanilla, finely crushed crackers, pecans and baking powder), gently folding into mixture using a spatula. Be sure to gently fold, do not stir or beat mixture.
- Pour mixture evenly in the prepared pie plate. Bake on the middle rack of the oven for 30 minutes.
- Cool and top with fresh whipped cream and fresh fruit, like strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, peaches and more. Enjoy!
Notes
TIPS
- It’s best to have everything measured out and ready to go in small bowls before starting.
- For a pretty presentation after cooling, you can top the whole pie with fresh whipped cream and fresh fruit. Leave about a 1/2-inch bare edge so it looks like a crust. Important: Do this only if you plan to eat the pie within a day, and always store it in the refrigerator. Otherwise, it is best to serve individual slices topped with whipped cream, berries, fresh fruit.
Angie
My mother had a great variation for this recipe. Fix the soda cracker crust as listed. She did use 20 saltine squares crushed up instead.Bake & let crust cool in a greased 13x 9 glass dish. Then she made a cream cheese layer which is 1 block softened cream cheese, 1.5c powdered sugar, &tsp of vanilla.Mix on high until creamy & easy to spread. If too thick you can add splash of milk while mixing to thin it out so can be spreadable. Set cream cheese mix to side. Another bowl use 1 pkt of Dream Whip. Follow directions on box which you will add some milk & vanilla with it. Mix on high in fluffy & well blended. Then put the 2 mixtures into 1 bowl & FOLD together. Don’t want to overmix. Spread this on cooled crust. Finally, you finish with 1 can of blueberry pie filling. (I have tried strawberry & cherry pie fillings as a variation which were fine but the blueberry seems to be the favorite where I’m from anyway. Just spread pie filling over the very top not quite to the edge. It is super delicious. My mom was a great cook &had some wonderful ideas to tweek recipes until they were awesome. In memory of my mother, Pat, who passed away too young @ 38 yrs old in 1986, since Mother’s Day is just around the corner I hope someone out there tries this recipe. She would be thrilled to know others enjoy as much as our family & friends did. Hope all you Mother’s out there take time to recognize your mother & how very lucky you are to still celebrate it with them & not without them. You only have 1. Don’t waste time you have & make more memories together. Thanks!
Barbara
Would Truvia work in place of the sugar?
Anonymous
The Crackers make the meringue a little softer. If the Meringue appears to go flat bake it anyway, as it will puff up and be so GOOD!