There are many different recipes that call for cream of tartar as an ingredient. This component is one that you need to be acquainted with if you spend a lot of time in the kitchen baking.
The tartaric acid that is found in cream of tartar comes in a powdered form and is sometimes referred to as potassium bitartrate. This organic acid is formed naturally in the fermentation process of wine and may be found in the leaves of a wide variety of plants.
In particular, cream of tartar has been shown to be of great assistance in the kitchen, whether one is cooking or baking. It is helpful in maintaining the consistency of whipped egg whites, avoiding the crystallization of sugar, and aiding in the leavening of baked products.
Continue reading in order to get more knowledge on cream of tartar. In addition, in the event that you do not have any cream of tartar on hand, or in the event that you need anything other than cream of tartar, this article will provide you with suitable alternatives.
Contents
Cream of TartarNutrition Facts
What is Cream of Tartar
Cream of tartar is an acidic residue that is left over after the production of wine. It is a powdered, dry substance that is used in a variety of baking recipes, including those for cookies, cakes, and frosting.
The cream of tartar is mostly composed of tartaric acid (grapes are a natural source of tartaric acid).
Cream of tartar is most likely best recognized for enhancing the taste of baked goods, particularly cookies. For example, the acidity that cream of tartar imparts to snickerdoodles is what accounts for their signature tang.
It is also known for its ability to stabilize egg whites by inhibiting the combining of egg proteins, which leads to the production of a meringue that is smooth and airy.
Additionally, cream of tartar is used to prevent sugar from crystallizing, which is beneficial for both the chewy consistency of cookies and the syrupy consistency of simple syrup.
Because of the way it interacts with sugar, it also stops cookies from becoming brown, which is why you’d see it in a recipe for frosted sugar cookies.
Cream of Tartar Uses in Recipes
Cream of tartar is one of those baffling items that you may have seen in a cupboard but were unsure of its use when you came across it. In the end, unlike baking soda, its name doesn’t give anything away about what it is.
Despite this, even a little bit of cream of tartar may make a world of difference when it comes to cooking. Here are some mouthwatering examples of delicious dishes that call for it:
- Biscuits
- Snickerdoodle
- Strawberry Banana Shortcake
- Meringue Pie
- Frosted Chocolate Cake
- Two-Berry Pavlova
- Amish Sugar Cookies
- Strawberry Cookie Cups
- Blue-Ribbon Doughnuts
- Cranberry-Orange Cake
- Meringue Cookies
- Double Delights
- Vanilla Butter Rollouts
- Surprise Meringues
- Soft Sugar Cookies
Cream of Tartar Substitutes
Cream of tartar is a powder that is used in many different recipes. Its primary purpose is to prevent sugar from crystallizing while also acting as a leavening agent and to stabilize egg whites.
If you’re in the midst of preparing a dish and realize that you’ve run out of cream of tartar or if you want to make a few minor adjustments to your recipe, there’s no need to panic since cream of tartar can be readily replaced with another ingredient.
Have a look at some alternative ingredients that can add a new dimension to your dish.
White Vinegar
There is no need to freak out in the kitchen if you discover that you are out of cream of tartar. Cream of tartar may be replaced with white vinegar in many recipes.
Additionally, white vinegar may be used in lieu of cream of tartar in recipes that need the stabilization of egg whites, such as souffles. This works quite well. Therefore, as you are whipping the egg whites, instead of adding cream of tartar, substitute it with an equivalent quantity of white vinegar that is called for in the recipe.
However, as white vinegar may alter both the flavor and the consistency of a dish, it is not recommended as a replacement for baked products such as cakes.
Baking Powder
The primary difference between cream of tartar and baking powder is that baking powder already includes cream of tartar in its ingredient list (Baking powder is made of baking soda and cream of tartar).
Therefore, if your recipe asks for baking soda as well as cream of tartar, you may simply replace both of those ingredients with baking powder.
It is possible to get the desired results by exchanging one teaspoon of cream of tartar for one and a half teaspoons of baking powder.
This substitute is perfect since it can be used in any meal without affecting the taste or the consistency of the dish.
While both baking powder and cream of tartar are classified as leavening agents, cream of tartar is capable of producing more minute air bubbles than baking powder does when it comes to assisting baked products in rising.
Lemon Juice
Being aware that cream of tartar is often used to prevent egg whites from becoming curdled and to assist in getting the results that are sought in recipes.
Lemon juice may be used in place of cream of tartar if you find yourself in a circumstance where you do not have access to any cream of tartar.
It is important to note that lemon juice has the same acidic astringency as cream of tartar, a factor that contributes to the development of stiff peaks in egg whites.
Additionally, in order to avoid the formation of crystals in syrups and frostings, lemon juice may be used in lieu of cream of tartar.
You will get the best possible results if you modify your recipe by substituting an equal quantity of lemon juice for the cream of tartar called for in it.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can you freeze cream of tartar?
Cream of tartar can, in fact, be frozen, and after defrosting it will still be used for a very long time. It is essential to make use of a container with a tight-fitting lid in order to keep cream of tartar in the freezer.
Is cream of tartar unsafe?
When used in very small doses, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) believes cream of tartar to be a safe substance. The problem is that it may lead to hyperkalemia, which is a condition in which there are dangerously high amounts of potassium in the blood if it is ingested in big quantities.
Can I use baking powder instead of cream of tartar in the meringue?
In this recipe, cream of tartar may be substituted for baking powder. Baking powder can also be used. It is recommended that the quantity of baking powder that is used be proportional to the amount of cream of tartar that is used.
Crispy and sweet, meringue pies are a treat that can be enjoyed at any time of the day.
What happens if you don’t have cream of tartar?
You may substitute 1 teaspoon of lemon juice or white vinegar for every half teaspoon of cream of tartar that the recipe calls for. As an example, if the cookie recipe you are using asks for one teaspoon of baking soda, you may substitute two teaspoons of lemon juice for the cream of tartar.
Can you skip cream of tartar?
In the vast majority of situations, you won’t even need to include the cream of tartar. Although the finished product may not be as fluffy or flawless as you had hoped, it will still turn out well and have a delicious flavor. Especially if you bake your meringue, there is a remote possibility that part of its height may be lost or that it will collapse completely.
Is baking powder the same as cream of tartar?
The fact that cream of tartar is often included in baking powder is the primary distinction between that ingredient and baking powder. Cream of tartar and baking soda are the two components that make up baking powder. Both cream of tartar and baking soda are leavening agents, however cream of tartar produces more uniformly sized air bubbles when it is used to make baked products rise.
Can I substitute baking soda for cream of tartar?
Simply combine it with baking soda in a ratio of one part baking soda to two parts cream of tartar. This should provide the desired result. Therefore, if you have a recipe that asks for cream of tartar and baking soda, you may omit the baking soda and replace it with 1 teaspoon of baking powder for every 2/3 teaspoon of cream of tartar. This will provide the desired results.
Conclusion
Yes, cream of tartar may be replaced with a variety of other ingredients. Before deciding which component to utilize, for instance, you should think about what the cream of tartar contributes to the dish. It would be helpful if you also thought about any undesirable changes in taste that may potentially occur.
It is possible that the end result will be different from what you are used to despite the fact that these replacements will give adequate outcomes. However, since you are using obviously different things, you should anticipate that the texture and look would be somewhat altered.