Hard tack is just a really hard bread or cracker. My grandmother used to make one called tea cakes. These were pretty hard but so good. You could carry them in your pocket all day and not lose a crumb. I think it had to do with how long they were baked. She would keep some in a jar with a slice of apple. Because she and my grandfather liked them softer. Here is the recipe. CF:)
1873 Tea Cakes
Little Mama Bradshaw

1 cup of butter = ½ pound
2 cups sugar
3 eggs beaten lightly
6 table spoon buttermilk
1 scant teaspoon soda
½ teaspoon cinnamon (ground)
½ teaspoon nutmeg (ground)
¼ teaspoon cardamom (ground)
5 cups flour

Preheat oven to 400 deg….
Mix butter and sugar until light. Add eggs, cinnamon, nutmeg and cardamom. Mix soda with buttermilk and add to mixture. Add flour small amount at a time.
May be rolled out or dropped by teaspoon full. Bake in quick oven about 10 min. or until just brown. Makes about 91/2 doz.
This recipe comes from the Bradshaw, Laird, and Herrington Family. 1873 Hardin Co. Texas (Little Mama Bradshaw)
My Grandmother:

CF, thank you so much for sharing this precious recipe. I know everyone's going to enjoy these biscuits a lot! It'll give my kids something constructive to do with their mouths, chewing these! katie :D