Common Crackers

Name: Common Crackers
Yield: Makes about 3 dozen crackers
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 1/2 cups (12 1/2 ounces), all-purpose flour; 2 teaspoons, baking powder; 1 1/4 teaspoons, salt; 3 tablespoons, vegetable shortening, cut into 1/2-inch pieces and chilled, plus 2 tablespoons melted and cooled; 1 cup, beer, chilled

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Appears in Cook's Country August/September 2011

Desserts or Baked Goods

American

We hoped to revive this delicious old-fashioned cracker, but could we speed up its production for a faster world?

SERVESMakes about 3 dozen crackers

TIME1½ hours, plus 1 hour cooling

WHY THIS RECIPE WORKS

These crackers were inspired by the “hardtack” found on ships centuries ago. Unlike quick-to-go-stale bread, these dry, sturdy crackers would keep over long expeditions. Instead of the traditional yeast version, which requires a couple of l...

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