Hardtack Biscuit (Ship's Biscuit) Recipe

[Stephen]

Updated: 20th Sep 2019

Hardtack (Ships Biscuit) has been around for centuries. With many types of recipes around, I personally feel that the simplest way is the best way to start. It will never go wrong. This will become a comfort food in an event like SHTF. With so many ways to use it, it's worth baking up a few batches and setting them away in storage with a good oxygen absorber.

Equipments:
- Measuring cup
- Mixing bowl
- Rolling pin (optional)
- Baking tray (Usually comes with your oven)
- Baking Paper (optional)
- Tongs
- Cookie Cutter (optional)

Ingredients
❖ 3 cups of white flour (whole wheat flour produce hardtack that won't last as long)
❖ 1 cup of water
❖ 2 teaspoons of salt

The ratio for Hardtack is 3:1 flour to water.
3 cups of flour to 1 cup of water

==
1. Preheat your oven to 177°C (350 °F).

2. Start by mixing 3 cups flour and 2 teaspoons of salt together into a mixing bowl.

3. Take the water cup in one hand and slowly pour it into the flour while using your other hand to knead them into a dough.

4. Knead the dough. Once you’ve used all the water, using both hands, work the dough until it reaches a uniform consistency. It will feel like playdough. If the dough gets flaky, add a few more drops of water.

5. Turn the dough out onto a floured area and use a rolling pin (or shape by hand) to flatten out the dough until it is little more than 1/8 inch (0.32cm) thick.

6. Cut the dough into 2 or 3 inch squares or use a cookie cutter as you desire.

7. Poke substantial holes all the way through so that air passes very easily through them. (This will also help give them breaking points once baked). You may use fork or stick to do the job.

8. Layout the dough onto the baking tray. Use baking sheet if requires. The dough shouldn’t expand much, so you don’t need large spaces between them.

9. Place them in the oven for 30 minutes.

10. First 30 minutes is over, pull out the Hard Tack and allow them to cool. Flip them over using the Tongs.

11. About 20 minutes, place them back in the oven. This time set your timer for one hour.

12. Following the last hour of baking, turn your oven off. DO NOT REMOVE the Hardtack. Instead, leave your biscuits in the turned-off oven. Let the heat slowly drop in the oven while your biscuits slowly dry even further. This is a great practice for really zapping any remaining moisture left inside.

==
Remark: Please keep in mind that baking time will vary depending on the thickness of the dough and the humidity in the air where you live.

This video shows an example of how it was done. May not be 100% the same, but is similar.

[Heartlander]

Great tips for making hard tack. I used to like the SAF hard tack biscuits in the 1980s. But we don't see them around anymore.

[XxDrAg0nxX]

They dun let us sell those SAF biscuits

[Stephen]

SAF Hardtack or any food are controlled items. It is against the law to sell them.
Why don't you make it yourself?
The recipe is so easy that those never cook before can easily bake some on their own.

Do it with your kids and have family time together is also a good idea.