1863 Blog

Recipe for Hardtack

2 cups flour
1/2 tablespoon salt (optional)
1/2 to 3/4 cup water

Preheat oven to 250 degrees F. Combine flour with salt in a mixing bowl. Add water and mix with hands until the dough comes together. Roll out on a table to about 1/3 inch thickness. Use a knife to cut 3×3 squares from the dough. Place on baking sheet, and use a dowel (see note above) to make 16 evenly-spaced holes in each square. Bake for at least four hours, turning over once half-way through baking. Cool on a rack in a dry room.

Story: After a long day of practice, I got very hungry. I went around searching for some birds and deers, but there wasn't anything. Then, I went asking for supplies and only got flour and water. I later remember my dad told me a recipe called Hardtack. It was flour and water mixed then baked. I got a bowl, placed in the ingredients, and started mixing away. I later used my knife and cut the dough into 3 by 3 squares. I placed it on a pan and over a fire. I noticed many other people were also making it. It was probably because it was easy and fast to make. I made this because hardtack was my source of energy for upcoming battles.