How to Make Hardtack Recipe - the Imperfectly Happy home (2024)

How to make hardtack recipe. Make this vintage survival bread for your food storage. This hardtack recipe, if properly stored can last for years without any further preservatives. This hardtack recipe has been used for hundreds of years by pioneers, miners, sailors and soldiers.

What is hardtack bread?

Hardtack or survival bread is basically a cracker made from water, flour and salt. It has been used to sustain people when perishable foods were not available or practical (like a long sea voyage without refrigeration).

Hardtack is said to have been used since the 17th century. It is often referred to as a sea biscuit.

What does hardtack taste like?

It really doesn’t have a lot of flavor but that it wasn’t designed to be delicious. It is a bland, hard, cracker or biscuit. But in an emergency situation, it will taste like sustenance!

You could add a pinch or two of black pepper or dried spices to give your hardtack a bit more flavor. This isn’t traditionally done but you might find it more appetizing.

How to properly store hardtack bread:

You want to make sure that your hardtack or survival bread is stored in a cool dry place. I would recommend storing it using vacuum sealing in food storage bags so it is completely resistant to outside elements.

If you do not have a vacuum sealer then good airtight container will be your next best option.

How long does hardtack last?

This is sort of the million dollar question. Some people will tell you that hardtack is an indefinite shelf life, as in it will last forever. That is true and not true. Yes, stored properly this survival or hard times bread can last for decades. But you must know the longer it is stored the harder it will become.

Eating Hardtack:

After awhile the only way to consume it will be to dunk it in liquid first. Historically it was dipped in coffee.

Can I buy premade hardtack?

One of the great things about hardtack is the recipe is very inexpensive and easy to make. But yes, you can purchase already prepared hardtack like Genuine German Army Survival Food or Pilot Bread Crackers in a can.

Either way it should have a long shelf life.

Equipment Needed to Make Hardtack

Mixing Bowl
Wooden Spoon for Mixing
Measuring cups and spoons
Rolling Pin
Baking Sheet
Fork or other tool for poking holes in the dough

Ingredients Needed for Hardtack Recipe

All Purpose Flour (you’ll need 2 cups of flour)
Salt
Water

That’s it! Do not be tempted to add in oils, this will greatly reduce the time the crackers and be stored.

Steps to Making Hardtack

Gather your equipment and ingredients.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

Printable Recipe

Hardtack or Survival Bread

Ingredients

2cupsAll Purpose Flour
3/4cup Water
1 1/2tspSalt

Instructions

Gather your equipment and ingredients.
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
Mix the flour, water, and salt in a bowl. If the dough is sticky, add a small amount of flour, until you can knead it.
With a rolling pin, roll out the dough into a rectangular shape until it is about 1/2 inch thick.
Cut the dough into six equal pieces. This recipe should make 10 – 12 crackers, so you will do these steps twice.
You can cut them smaller if you prefer.
Use a fork or other sharp object to poke holes in the top of the dough to prevent air bubbles.
Bake for 30 minutes.
Use tongs to flip each piece over and bake for 30 more minutes.
Let hardtack cool completely and store in an air-tight container. Now your old-fashioned survival bread is ready to be added to your food supplies for long term storage.
Remember this is best served with coffee, milk or water.