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Mock Apple Pie (Zucchini Apple Pie)

A classic old-fashioned Mock Apple Pie made with tender zucchini slices that taste exactly like apples. Cinnamon, sugar, lemon, and butter transform zucchini into a perfect apple-like filling. Even my daughter said this was one of her favorite pies — and I accidentally forgot the brown sugar!
Print Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
1 hour
Total Time 2 hours 5 minutes
Servings: 8
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

4 cups peeled, seeded, sliced zucchini (cut like apple slices)

1 cup sugar

1/4 cup brown sugar (optional – my pie tasted amazing even without it)

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

2 tablespoons lemon juice

1 pinch salt

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/4 cup butter

2 tablespoons flour (optional, thickens the filling)

1 double pie crust (bottom + top)

1 tablespoon butter (to dot the top)

1 egg + 1 tablespoon water (optional egg wash)

Cinnamon sugar for sprinkling (optional)

Method
 

1. Peel the zucchini, cut it in half lengthwise, scoop out any large seeds, and slice into thin “apple-like” slices.

2. In a skillet, melt 1/4 cup butter over medium heat. Add the sliced zucchini.

3. Add the sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, lemon juice, pinch of salt, and vanilla extract.

(Optional: add 2 tablespoons flour if you want a thicker filling.)

4. Cook for 10–12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the zucchini becomes tender

and looks like cooked apple slices.

5. Preheat your oven to 400°F. Place the bottom pie crust into a 9-inch pie dish.

6. Pour the zucchini “apple” filling into the crust and dot the top with 1 tablespoon butter.

7. Place the top crust over the pie, trim and crimp the edges, and cut 3–4 small slits

on top for venting. Brush with egg wash if you want a shiny crust.

8. Bake for 40–45 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbling

up through the slits.

9. Let the pie cool for at least 1 hour before slicing so the filling can set.

    Notes

    • Many traditional Mock Apple Pie recipes use 1/4 cup brown sugar.
    • I actually forgot to add the brown sugar the first time I made this — and it STILL tasted amazing.
    • My daughter said it was one of her favorite pies and never guessed it was zucchini.
    • If you want a deeper caramel flavor, add the optional brown sugar.
    • If your zucchini gives off a lot of moisture, add the optional flour to thicken the filling.
    • Tastes exactly like real apple pie — nobody will guess the secret ingredient!