Hardtack

Hardtack has been a staple in the back country for years; a boring staple for sure.  Still it is filling. 

Hard Tack has been around a very long time.  The G. H. Bent Companyhe has been making Hard Tack since 1801 and still sells it today.  The company was a supplier to Union Forces in the Civil War.

A few years ago I made Hard Tack to take along on a backpacking trip into Glacier National Park with two of my sons.  On their first try of this dry biscuit they both thought it was "pretty lame."  On day three of the trip, while eating spaghetti, they devoured it.

So, here is a simple recipe.

Hard Tack Recipe

2 cups of flour

1/2 to 3/4 cup water

6 pinches of salt

1 tablespoon of shortening (optional)

Mix all the ingredients into a batter and press on to a cookie sheet to a thickness of ½ inch.

Bake in a preheated oven at 400°F (205°C) for one hour.

Remove from oven, cut dough into 3-inch squares, and punch four rows of holes, four holes per row into the dough (a fork works nicely).

Flip the crackers and return to the oven for another half hour.