In a large mixing bowl, use a fork to stir together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
Cut in the chilled vegetable shortening using a pastry cutter or your fingers. The dough should have the texture of cornmeal at this point.
Add the cold water to the flour mixture a little at a time and work it into the dry flour into a dough. Depending on the weather and the flour you use, you may not need to add all the water. It is essential to avoid overworking the dough at this point. The dough should be stiff, but it needs to stay together easily when you form it into a ball.
Turn the dough on a slightly floured surface. Roll with a rolling pin until very thin. Cut into squares and pick several times with a fork.
Bake on bottom rack in a 400-degree oven for 10 minutes.
Then remove and place on top rack and increase temperature to 450 degrees to brown the crackers. Immediately salt to taste when removed from oven.
Recipe Tips
Pro Tips for Perfect Crackers
Dough Handling
Keep ingredients cold until ready to use
Don't overwork the dough or crackers will be tough
Roll dough as evenly as possible for uniform baking
Use a pasta machine for consistent thickness
If dough springs back while rolling, let it rest 5 minutes