Hard Tack Crackers
3 cups water (or milk)
8 cups plain flour
8 tbsp lard (or shortening)
3 tsp salt
optional
5 tsp sugar 1 tsp molasses
Mix and knead to form a workable dough. Flatten out or roll to 1/2 inch thickness. Cut into 3 inch squares, punch holes with an ice pick or nail, 3 rows of 3 holes per square. Bake at 400 deg. for 45 minutes, or until jaw breaking hardness is achieved. Cool in open air and store in cloth or paper sack. Spoilage is not a problem here. I have an original piece from Elias Moore that probably tastes as good today as it did in 1865.
