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 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.
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 substitute cornstarch for cream of tartar? ›
No. Cornstarch is a starch used for thickening, while cream of tartar is an acid used for leavening, stabilizing, and preventing crystallization. They play totally different roles in baking and are not considered substitutes for one another.
Is cream of tartar important in a recipe? ›
The most common recipes that call for cream of tartar are those that call for egg whites to be whipped, like angel food cake, genoise cake, meringue, and macarons. Jampel says that is because cream of tartar works as an egg white stabilizer that increases both the volume and shelf life of the meringue.
Can I bake without cream of tartar? ›
Baking Powder
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 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.
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).
Can you use too much cream of tartar? ›
The FDA recognizes cream of tartar as a safe ingredient when consumed in small quantities. Ingesting high amounts of it may lead to hyperkalemia, or dangerously high potassium blood levels.
Tell students that cream of tartar is a dry acid and that, when mixed with water, it reacts with baking soda to produce carbon dioxide gas. This is very similar to the way vinegar (a solution of acetic acid) reacts with baking soda to produce a gas.
What can I use instead of cream of tartar? ›
What is a Good Replacement for Cream of Tartar? A good replacement for cream of tartar in baking is 1 teaspoon of vinegar or lemon juice for every 1/2 teaspoon of cream of tartar.
Can you leave out cream of tartar in a recipe? ›
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.
Is expired cream of tartar ok to use? ›
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.
What is an alternative way to remove tartar? ›
Naturally antibacterial, white vinegar will help to demineralise or soften tartar if used once or twice daily as a mouthwash. Swish a mixture of 2 cups of warm water, 2 teaspoons of white vinegar and a pinch of salt around your mouth for a few minutes. Do this after or between brushing your teeth.
Can I replace cream of tartar with apple cider vinegar? ›
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.
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.
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.
