Cream Cracker Faults & Remedies

What can be problematic in Cream Cracker making and how can we fix it?
 

1. Cracker becomes too hard and flinty if;

I. The flour is too strong

II. Less shortening in the dough

III. Over mixing

IV. Chemical imbalance in the recipe

V. Too long, bake time

2. Cracker become very fragile and bake easily when the;

I. Flour is too soft

II.Too much shortening in the dough

III. Excess Ammonia

3. Checking or hairline cracker due to;

I. Fast cooling

II. A cool draft blown on the hot cracker or too strong or too weak flour also cause checking

III. Less shortening can cause checking

IV. Little glycerin or syrup should remedy the problem and little slower baking

4. The height of a cracker is reduced with less spring puffing cracker become thin when;

I. Flour is too soft

II. Over fermentation

III. The dough is being too hard with insufficient water

IV. Apart from the above main cause could be insufficient bottom heat of the feed end and 1^st zone

5. Cracker may shift open in two layers;

I. Whether too much dust in the laminator

II. Is Sponge fermentation fast there is too much water in the sponge

III. The temperature of the atmosphere too high

IV. Cracker dough become sour and collapse when the dough is over fermentation.

V. Sponge and dough crusting due to excessive heat can cause a hard spot on the cracker. To prevent this, dough container should be kept cover with thick cloth cover

6. Cracker become flat and soggy when;

I. The sponge is kept more than 20 hours turned in to dough (over ripe sponge) a sponge should be processed in to dough 30 minutes early or 30 minutes late if not after 18 hours

II. pH of the sponge and dough after fermentation - 6.3%

 

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Baking of the Cream Crackers

There is correct baking time for each combination of dough and oven condition. Too long and too short bake will effect adversely all the desirable characteristics of the cracker forms (spring, Blister, tenderness, etc.) A very hot oven and quick bake is required. It is important to have the cracker falling on to a preheated oven band before the cracker enters the baking chamber (the oven band temperature of 230 °C).

The temperature of the first zone has to be higher than the rest of the oven.

The coloring of the cracker could be done at the last zone.

Damper Setting

I.1^st Zone-Keep moisture damper fully closed

II. 2^nd Zone-Damper ½ open

III. 3^rd Zone- Damper ¾ open

IV. 4^th and 5^th Zone - amper fully open 

FAULTS

• Blisters are too pronounced due to too hot and oven
• Poor lamination

pH of baked crackers – 6.5% - 7.3%

Cream Cracker Mixing Method

1. Sponge 16 –18 Hrs. Fermentation

    Dough 4 Hrs. Fermentation

2. Overnight 16 Hrs., All In Mix

3. Sponge 4 Hrs. & Dough 4 Hrs

4. 4 Hrs. All In Mix (Straight Dough)

5. 2 Hrs. Sponge & 2 Hrs. Dough

The Most Accepted Method Is The 18 Hr. Sponge & 4 Hr. Dough Method. Such Crackers Give Good Flavour. They Are Flakier & Give Good Colour.

Sieve Flour before Use

1. Flour (for the sponge) Rather strong flour with gluten content 8.5% - 10

2. Flour (for the dough) Medium flour with gluten content 8.0% - 9.0 is required

3. Flour slightly old is better than very fresh flour. If flour is very fresh, a little soda will give better results

Shortening  

1. 13% - 18% of fat on flour base could be used.percentage 14 % - 15% is excellent.

2. The flavour taste, colour, and shelf life depend on the shortening selected. As cracker contains very little sugar, it could become rancid taste if an inferior fat is used. Quantity of fat is determined by its source. For spraying of cracker, 76% RBD coconut oil or palm kernel oil is best. [RBD = Refined, Deodorized, & Bleached].

Yeast

1. Active dry Yeast

Normal dry yeast is used for fermentation. This could be sprinkled on flour or dissolved in water according to instruction on pack. Should never be mixed with salt or very warm water.

2. Non – Active Dry Yeast or Autolysis Yeast

It is heat-treated and the fermentation properties are lost .it gives a good flavour, improves the dough character and extends keeping quality. This also supplies Vitamins and Amino Acids. It gives a tender cracker with no buckling or cupping. This has to be used with very strong flavour because this can damage the gluten. Could be used in the sponge.

Salt

1-13/4 % flour base or according to taste should be dissolved and strained before use.

Sugar

1-1.5 % on flour base could be used. Brown sugar gives extra flavour and added colour. It is used as a yeast food. Powdered sugar is best. 

Malt

Non-Diastatic Malt should be used in cream crackers. It is yeast food and gives colour and flavour. Diastatic malt should not be used as this can affect the gluten. 

Invert Syrup

It is a yeast food, which gives colour and flavour, and may inhibit checking. 

Water

The quality of the cracker may vary from location to location according to the type of minerals available in the water. Any water supply that is satisfactory for drinking purposes could be used for cracker satisfactorily.

Sodium bicarbonate  

Is used to control the pH of cracker, make it tender, and to do obtain a good colour. It will increases the height. Its recommended to use be used according to the acid level of the dough.  It should be sifted on the floor while mixing the dough.

Ammonium Bicarbonate 

Ammonia gives light and tender cracker. Too much ammonia will give out an off taste if not properly baked. Ammonia should be dissolved in part of the dough water. 

Sodium Metabisulfite (S.M.S)

This should be dissolved in the part of the dough water and sprinkled on top of the flour while mixing. It extends the gluten and gives a smooth finish.

Milk Powder

Milk powder is generally not used in cream cracker as certain enzymes in the milk powder could destroy the gluten properties in the flour. 7% full cream milk powder could be used when making special “Milk Cream Crackers". If it is necessary to achieve a milk flavour and good colour, skim milk powder should be used. Whey powder helps to make a tender cracker with good colour and extended shelf life. When used savory varieties, it increases the flavour. It could be dissolved in part of the dough water.

 

For 100Kg flour, 1- 2% of whey powder could be used.

CREAM CRACKERS – Formulation 1
STRONG	75.000 Kg	Sponge Mix -2min
YEAST	0.800 g
SUGAR	2.500 kg + 2 kg of Water
Water	26.5 L approximate
Ferment 16 hours
Add the Following Things to the Fermented Sponge
MEDIUM	75.000 Kg	Dough Mix 5 – 6 Min
SHORTENING	21.000 Kg
MALT EXRACT	1.000 Kg
SALT	2.700 Kg + Dissolve 2 liters
WHEY	2.700 Kg + Dissolve in 4 liters
SODA	0.700 g
AMMONIA	0.275 g + Dissolve in 1 liter
SYRUP	0.600 g
S.M.S	0.015 g + Dissolved in
WATER	11.000 L
Ferment 4 Hours again
LAYER DUST
Soft Flour	31.000 kg	Mix thoroughly
Salt	0.600 g
Shortening	7.500 kg	Mix again

About 2Kg of dust is required for 20 Kg of dough

pH of Cracker 6.5 – 7.3%

Moisture 1 – 2 % 

Short Fermentation Cream Crackers (Straight Dough)

Shortening	22.500 kg	Mix for 4min
Malt	1.630 kg
Sugar	0.800 g
Salt	2.600 kg
Soda	0.500 g
Ammonia	0.340 +500 ml water
Add the following ingredients
Ascorbic Acid	0.011g	Mix for 3 Min
S.M.S	0.015 + 1 L water
Yeast	1.700kg + 5 L water
Water	16.000 L
Weak Flour	75.000 kg
Strong Flour	75.000 kg
Water	27L Approximate	Mix for 6 min
Ferment – 3hrs
Cracker Dust
Weak Flour	11.000 kg	Mix 3 Min
Salt	0.170
Soda	0.005 g
Ammonium Bicarbonate	0.008 g
Corn Flour	4.000 kg
Shortening	6.000 kg	Mix 6 Min. & chill

  2 Kg of dust for 20Kg Dough. 

Related article:

Checking in Chrackers

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