Introduction
Cream of tartar, also known as potassium bitartrate, is a white, powdery substance that is commonly used in baking. It is a by-product of the winemaking process and is derived from the sediment that forms in the barrels during fermentation. Cream of tartar is an acidic ingredient that helps stabilize egg whites, prevents sugar from crystallizing, and adds a light, airy texture to baked goods. It is also used to make meringues, frostings, and other desserts.
What is Cream of Tartar?
Cream of tartar, also known as potassium bitartrate, is a white powdery substance that is a by-product of the winemaking process. It is a tartaric acid salt that is used in baking, cooking, and other household applications. Cream of tartar is a key ingredient in many recipes, including meringues, angel food cake, and royal icing. It is also used to stabilize egg whites, prevent sugar from crystallizing, and add volume and stability to baked goods.
Cream of tartar is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of ways. It can be used to make a leavening agent for baking, as a stabilizer for egg whites, and as an acidulant in recipes. It can also be used to make a tartar sauce, a condiment often served with fish and chips. Additionally, cream of tartar can be used to make a cleaning solution for copper and brass items.
Cream of tartar is a safe and natural ingredient that is widely available in grocery stores and online. It is important to store cream of tartar in an airtight container in a cool, dry place. It should be used within one year of purchase for best results.
Keeping a small jar of cream of tartar in your pantry is a crucial baking ingredient. But what is it, and why is it used for cookies, meringues, pies, and other delicious treats? A little bit makes a big taste impact!
Table of Contents
When I first came across cream of tartar, I was making a batch of snickerdoodle cookies. It seemed foreign to me at the time, but ever since, I’ve always stashed a jar in my kitchen. Potassium bitartrate, a byproduct of the winemaking process, has revolutionized baking. The most underrated ingredient in baking, we use it without even realizing it! The tangy white powder has a wide range of functions.
Cream of tartar is one of the main ingredients in baking powder, along with baking soda, to give cakes and cookies rise and structure. As a stand-alone ingredient, you can add it to egg whites for more stable whipping capabilities, prevent sugars in syrups from crystalizing, enhance flavors in baked goods, and use it to make buttermilk.
What is cream of tartar made of?
Grapes naturally contain tartaric acid, a mellow, sour-tasting fruit component. Cream of tartar is a byproduct of winemaking. The tartaric acid is neutralized with potassium hydroxide, which creates potassium bitartrate, also known as potassium hydrogen tartrate.
The white crystals are finely ground into a white powder. The clean acidity makes it a versatile ingredient to add to baked goods.
What is cream of tartar used for?
- Leavening Agent: It’s most famously added as the acid component with alkaline baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) to create baking powder. When the ingredients are hydrated, they react to form carbon dioxide bubbles to help baked goods rise. To make 1 teaspoon baking powder, combine 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar plus 1/4 teaspoon baking soda.
- Sugar Solutions: Use when making sugar syrups for sauces, caramels, frostings, icing, and candies. A little bit of acid prevents sugar from crystalizing as it cools down. The acid breaks sucrose into glucose and fructose in a process called inversion. The smaller molecules make it harder for larger crystals to form.
- Chewy Cookies: In cookies, the acid prevents the sugars in the recipe from crystallizing and turning crispy. This adds chewiness and tang to snickerdoodle cookies.
- Egg White Stabilizer: The acidity of tartaric acid lowers the pH of whipped egg whites, making the egg proteins unfold. This creates a more robust network of water and air pockets, adding volume and stability. This prevents meringue toppings from “weeping” or expelling liquid. It also gives a shinier appearance. Stablizies meringue cookies and macarons. Use about 1/8 teaspoon per large egg white.
- Whipped Cream: A pinch can help stabilize whipped cream, just like egg whites. Don’t add too much or the cream will taste sour.
- Prevent Browning: The tartaric acid binds to the sugar molecules, which prevents browning. This works great for sugar cookies when you want a lighter hue for decorating. It keeps white cakes and angel food cake bright in color.
- Acidulant: Used to make buttermilk substitutes. It acidifies milk for a clean, tangy flavor. Over time, it will also thicken the liquid, coagulating some of the proteins in the milk. Add 1 3/4 teaspoon cream of tartar to 1 cup of milk.
Substitutes for cream of tartar
If you don’t have any cream of tartar on hand, don’t worry, you have a few options. Lemon juice, distilled white vinegar, and baking powder are common household ingredients that can be swapped in depending on the recipe.
- Leavening Agent: Use double the amount of lemon juice or vinegar for the cream of tartar in the baked goods recipe. For example, 1 teaspoon of lemon juice or vinegar for every 1/2 teaspoon of cream of tartar. Vinegar will impact the taste in high amounts. Alternatively, swap out 1 teaspoon of baking powder for every 1/2 teaspoon of cream of tartar and 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda.
- Stabilizing Whipped Egg Whites: Substitute 1/4 teaspoon lemon juice or white vinegar per one large egg white. You need double the amount of cream of tartar.
- Preventing Crystallization: In liquid sugar solutions, omit the cream of tartar and replace 1/4 of the sugar in the recipe with corn syrup. It’s already an invert sugar that will prevent crystallization.
Ways to use cream of tartar
Frequently asked questions
Stored in a cool and dry area, it can be used indefinitely. The powder should be white and have a mild acidic aroma.
No, cream of tartar can be used as the acidic component in baking powder. Baking soda must be added as an alkaline ingredient for any bubbling reaction.
It can be used as a nontoxic household cleaning product. Make a paste with water to polish stainless steel and aluminum pans. Polish copper by mixing equal parts lemon juice and cream of tartar, then rinse. Slean porcelain sinks with a mixture of equal amounts of vinegar and cream of tartar.