Cream of tartar is a mystery ingredient to many people, and despite its name, is not actually creamy at all. Cream of tartar is a dry, powdery substance and is a byproduct from fermenting grapes that are being turned into wine.
Cream of Tartar Uses
There are many uses of cream of tartar, but it’s most commonly used in baking. When beating egg whites for a meringue, adding just a little bit of this substance speeds up the creation of foam and helps stabilize the little air bubbles that create this foam. Cream of Tartar helps create the stiff peaks that are desired in meringue pies and the airy bubbles that make a great angel food cake.
Cream of tartar is also widely used in snickerdoodle cookies to give them the distinctive tangy flavor and the chewiness sought after in a great snickerdoodle or Vanilla Buttercream Cookie. Cream of tartar prevents the sugar in cookies from crystallizing which would create a crunchier cookie.
Cream of tartar is also used with baking soda to become a leavening agent, which makes baked goods puff up while in the oven due to the production of carbon dioxide gas. Cream of tartar can be added to boiling vegetables so they keep their bright color.
ADDCREAM OF TARTARTO CART
Substitutes for Cream of Tartar
Cream of tartar has many different uses, which means there are many different substitutes to use in different situations. Using 2 teaspoons of lemon juice or vinegar creates the acidic impact of 1 teaspoon of cream of tartar in a traditional baking recipe, like in our Coconut Cream Cake recipe. The most widely used substitutes are:
- Lemon juice
- White vinegar
- Baking powder
- Buttermilk
- Yogurt
You can also simply leave out the cream of tartar from a recipe, which may result in baked goods that are not as fluffy, but will still work out and taste good.
Common Cream of Tartar Recipes & Substitution Questions
What Can I Use Instead of Cream of Tartar in Snickerdoodles?
Cream of tartar gives snickerdoodles their signature chewiness and tangy taste. To create a similar effect without the cream of tartar, substitute both the cream of tartar and the baking soda with 2 teaspoons of baking powder.
Cream of Tartar Substitute in Meringue
Lemon juice works as a great substitute in meringue to stabilize the egg whites and provide the high stiff peaks you look for in a meringue.
Cream of Tartar Substitute Calculator
The general rule of thumb is for every ½ teaspoon of cream of tartar in a recipe, use 1 teaspoon lemon juice or white vinegar. For example, if a recipe calls for 1 teaspoon cream of tartar, you’d use 2 teaspoons of lemon juice or white vinegar.
FAQs
The Best Substitute for Cream of Tartar
What can I use if I don't have cream of tartar? ›
The 6 Best Things to Use If You Don't Have Cream of Tartar
- Lemon juice.
- White vinegar.
- Baking powder.
- Buttermilk.
- Yogurt.
- Copper bowl.
- No substitute.
You can also simply leave out the cream of tartar from a recipe, which may result in baked goods that are not as fluffy, but will still work out and taste good.
Can you replace cream of tartar with baking soda? ›
You'll need more volume to activate the baking soda—try using at least two times the amount of cream of tartar.
Is cream of tartar really necessary? ›
The bottom line: For smooth, stiff beaten egg whites that keep their shape, don't skip the cream of tartar. If you don't have cream of tartar, substituting 1/4 teaspoon lemon juice or white vinegar per egg white works almost as well. To avoid meringues that weep, don't skip the cream of tartar...
What happens if you forgot cream of tartar? ›
Without cream of tartar, you'll get the same baked good in the end, but the consistency may not be as flawless. If you're worried about your cake coming out too flat or your lemon meringue pie going runny, adding cream of tartar is an effective way to prevent it.
Can I use apple cider vinegar instead of cream of tartar? ›
Apple Cider Vinegar: For people with allergies to white vinegar, apple cider vinegar can be used instead. Use the same ratio as white vinegar, using two times the amount of apple cider vinegar as cream of tartar called for in the recipe.
What is the ratio of baking soda to cream of tartar? ›
To make baking powder, mix one part baking soda and two parts cream of tartar. So, if you recipe calls for 1 tablespoon of baking powder, use 1 teaspoon of baking soda, mixed in with 2 teaspoons of cream of tartar.
What is a substitute for cream of tartar in Snickerdoodles? ›
You can either replace cream of tartar with baking powder at a 1:1.5 ratio (1 teaspoon cream of tartar : 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder), or you can replace cream of tartar with the combination of baking soda and either lemon juice or vinegar (as with this recipe).
What is a substitute for cream of tartar in angel food cake? ›
When cream of tartar is used to add volume and stabilize and whiten whipped egg whites, as with an angel food cake, replace every 1/8 teaspoon of cream of tartar (the amount needed per egg) with 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice or distilled white vinegar.
Baking powder is a good cream of tartar substitute for cookies because it is synergistic with baking soda. You'll need 1.5x the amount of baking powder substitute for the cream of tartar called for in the recipe. Baking powder is a great cream of tartar replacement because it doesn't impart any flavor.
What does cream of tartar do in pie crust? ›
Pie crusts can be notoriously tricky to master, but cream of tartar can make a significant difference. It hinders gluten formation, resulting in a more tender and flaky crust that complements your delicious pie fillings perfectly.
What difference does cream of tartar make? ›
Cream of tartar is a white powder sold in the baking aisle that's commonly used to stabilize whipped egg whites in meringues and cakes, prevent sugar crystallization in candies and caramel, and act as the activating ingredient in baking powder.
Is baking powder and cream of tartar the same? ›
As we've already determined, baking powder is made from cream of tartar and baking soda. So, if you have baking powder, you technically have cream of tartar too! You can substitute 1.5 teaspoons of baking powder for every 1 teaspoon of cream of tartar.
Can you substitute cream of tartar with lime juice? ›
While cream of tartar can successfully stand in for lime juice to provide leavening, it will significantly change the flavor and texture of your batter. There are other acidic ingredients that can be substituted for lime juice with greater success.
What is a simple trick to remove tartar? ›
Orange peels are also a great way to get rid of tartar. This is easy to do as you just take the inside of an orange peel and rub it along the teeth and gum areas. Another method is used by making a paste from the mashed bits of the inside of the peel and mixing them with water.
Can I use baking powder instead of cream of tartar in playdough? ›
Baking powder is a combination of baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) and cream of tartar. It should work as a substitute for cream of tartar, but you may need to play around with the amount to get the texture you want.
