Whether added to snickerdoodle cookies to make them wonderfully soft, to whipped egg whites to make them stable, or to simple syrup to prevent sugar crystals from forming, cream of tartar is an all-around good thing to have on hand. But what is it about cream of tartar that makes it so magical?
What Is Cream of Tartar?
Technically, cream of tartar is an acid—specifically, tartaric acid. It’s a byproduct of wine production, the residue left on the barrels, actually.
Most commonly, cream of tartar is used as a leavener, because when it’s combined with baking soda, together they produce carbon dioxide gas. That’s the same gas that’s produced by yeast in bread baking.
When it’s added to egg whites, it boosts the strength of the individual air bubbles and slows down their natural tendency to deflate. And when added to simple syrup, it prevents sugar’s natural tendency to re-bond and form crystals.
The Best Substitute for Cream of Tartar
But what do you do if you don’t have cream of tartar in your pantry and your recipe calls for it? Try this simple fix: Substitute fresh lemon juice or white vinegar for the cream of tartar
For every 1/2 teaspoon of cream of tartar in the recipe, use 1 teaspoon lemon juice or white vinegar.
As an example, if your cookie recipe calls for 1 teaspoon baking soda, add 2 teaspoons lemon juice instead of the cream of tartar. If your simple syrup recipe asks for 1/8 teaspoon cream of tartar, use three to four drops of lemon juice. And for the whipping egg whites? Add 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice per egg white.
The results will be so close, you probably won’t notice the substitution.
Other Substitutes for Cream of Tartar
While lemon juice is our top pick for a cream of tartar substitute, you can also use these other handy stand-ins.
Baking Powder.In baking recipes, if the ingredients listcalls for both baking powder and cream of tartar, you can sub baking powder for the cream of tartar. Use a ratio of 1.5 tsp. baking powder to 1 tsp. of cream of tartar in the replacement.
Buttermilk. The acid in buttermilk makes it a good stand-in for cream of tartar in baking recipes, as long as you reduce the amount of liquid in the rest of the recipe. For each 1/4 tsp. of cream of tartar that the recipe calls for, remove a 1/2 cup of liquid from the recipe and replace it with 1/2 cup of buttermilk.
FAQs
The Best Substitute for Cream of Tartar
What can you use instead of 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.
How much baking soda instead of cream of tartar? ›
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 the same as baking powder? ›
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.
What happens if you omit cream of tartar? ›
A frosting without crystalized sugar is a lot creamier, and any batter or meringue with stabilized egg whites yields a fluffier end result, The Spruce Eats explains. Without cream of tartar, you'll get the same baked good in the end, but the consistency may not be as flawless.
Is cream of tartar necessary in a recipe? ›
You technically could — egg whites will still whip to stiff peaks without cream of tartar — but we highly recommend including it whenever it's called for in a recipe.
What does cream of tartar do in play dough? ›
While cream of tartar is not an ingredient you probably keep on hand in your kitchen, it is worth the investment if you are trying to become a playdough making pro. Cream of tartar really helps to get your playdough to the fun gel form and prevent it from staying too wet.
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 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).
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.
Can you replace cream of tartar with citric acid? ›
Citric Acid: Citric acid, like cream of tartar, is a strong acid and can be used as a substitute in baking. It can be found in specialty baking stores or online. Use the same amount of citric acid as cream of tartar called for in the recipe.
What is the purpose of cream of tartar in biscuits? ›
As the biscuits rise, the carbon dioxide gas expands, creating pressure on the dough. This pressure can cause the dough to collapse without proper support. Cream of Tartar helps stabilize the dough structure, ensuring the biscuits maintain their shape and rise uniformly.
What to use if you don't have cream of tartar? ›
The Best Substitute for Cream of Tartar
For every 1/2 teaspoon of cream of tartar in the recipe, use 1 teaspoon lemon juice or white vinegar. As an example, if your cookie recipe calls for 1 teaspoon baking soda, add 2 teaspoons lemon juice instead of the cream of tartar.
Can you use baking powder for tartar? ›
Tartar is a hard calcified coating that forms on the teeth when plaque hardens. Baking powder may work, but it is not quite effective. Instead, apply a paste of baking soda to your teeth and rinse after 15 minutes. The action is slow.
Does cream of tartar go bad? ›
Cream of tartar does not expire so long as you store it in a cool and dry space. When in doubt, check for a powdery, white appearance and a slightly acidic smell. Discard your cream of tartar if it has become discolored or if it has a strong smell.
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 does cream of tartar do in royal icing? ›
Using salt and acid (cream of tartar) balances the sugary sweetness. Silver rum adds a subtle flavor, without darkening the icing like vanilla. Creaming helps minimize the grit of powdered sugar.
What does cream of tartar do in donuts? ›
Cream of tartar has an acidic and tangy taste with a slight hint of citrus, similar to vinegar or lemon. It's often added to baked goods to boost the flavor of other ingredients and bring a bit of tangy zing.
