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with Herring .]] A cracker is a dry, thin, crispy, and usually savory Biscuit that developed from military Hardtack and nautical ship biscuits. In 1801 Josiah Bent began a baking operation in Milton, Massachusetts , selling "water crackers" or biscuits made of flour and water that would not deteriorate during long sea voyages from the port of Boston. The crackling sound occurred during baking, hence the name. This is where the American term "cracker" originated. His company later sold the original hardtack crackers used by troops during the American Civil War . The company is still located in Milton and continues to sell these items to Civil War reenactors and others. The holes in crackers are called "docking" holes. The holes are placed in the dough to stop air pockets from forming in the cracker while baking. In U.S. English, the name "cracker" is most often applied to flat biscuits with a savory, salty flavor, in distinction from a "cookie," which may be similar to a "cracker" in appearance and texture, but has a sweet flavor. Crackers sometimes have Cheese or Spice s as ingredients, or even Chicken stock. Brands including Captain's Wafers , Club Crackers , Town House Crackers , Ritz Crackers , Cream Cracker s and Water Biscuit s are used spread with Cheese , Pâté , or Mousse . Saltine and Oyster Cracker s are often used in or served with Soup . Mock Apple Pie is made from Ritz (or similar) crackers. Animal Cracker s, being mildly sweet, are an exception to the rule-of-thumb "crackers are salty/savory; cookies are sweet." However, the manner in which animal crackers are made (layered dough) classifies them as crackers. Graham Cracker s are also eaten as a Cookie , although they were invented for their supposed health benefits. A popular snack is crackers with Cheese as a topping. SEE ALSO EXTERNAL LINKS
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