What Does Cream of Tartar Do for Your Cookies?

You could be planning to bake some tasty cookies soon. Depending on the sort of dish you choose, you may come across certain ingredients with which you are unfamiliar.

Many cookie recipes call for cream of tartar, but many people have no idea what it is or what it does for cookies. Is cream of tartar a must-have ingredient in your cookie recipe?

Continue reading to discover more about cream of tartar and its qualities. You will learn how it is used as a cookie ingredient so that you can use it properly in the future.

Why Cream of Tartar Is Used in Cookies

Cream of tartar is used in cookies to help stabilize the whipped egg whites.

If your cookie recipe calls for whipped egg whites, cream of tartar is almost certainly included. This is because cream of tartar prevents crystallization of sugar and may also be used as a leavening agent.

This is an element that simply ensures that your cookies come out the way they should. If you use cream of tartar as directed in whatever recipe you’re using, your cookies will be more likely to bake correctly.

This will prevent the sugar in your cookie dough from becoming too crunchy, and you will have a more smoother cookie to enjoy altogether.

Cream of Tartar Is a Dry Powder

When you look closely at your cream of tartar, you will see that it is a dry powder. This powder, also known as potassium bitartrate, is produced as a byproduct of the fermentation of grapes into wine.

That word doesn’t exactly slide off the tongue, which is why it’s often referred to as cream of tartar on supermarket shelves.

Even though it is largely used in baked goods, it has become a popular item that people store in their pantries. Not every cookie recipe will call for cream of tartar, but many will.

If you like to bake items often, have this one on hand since you never know when you’ll need some.

Why Cream of Tartar Is So Useful

People who like baking pies with meringues will appreciate cream of tartar. If you’ve ever baked a meringue pie, you’re familiar with the process of beating egg whites.

This isn’t always simple since you need to whisk the air into the egg whites to get the desired consistency, but cream of tartar may assist.

When you add cream of tartar to egg whites, it helps to solidify the general structure of the air bubbles you’re attempting to beat into the egg whites. It allows you to produce your meringue quicker and with a superior meringue that is higher and more attractive.

However, meringue is not just used in pies, and you may already be aware that it is used in various cookies.

If you don’t have cream of tartar on hand for preparing meringue for pies or cookies, the procedure will be more difficult. This is why you should get some the next time you go shopping if you know you’ll be doing some baking.

It will make your life easier and your sweets will taste better.

Making the Perfect Snickerdoodles

Cream of tartar is a typical component in snickerdoodles, in addition to aiding with meringue pies and cookies.

Millions of Americans like Snickerdoodles, and you may prepare some of these delightful cookies each year. Snickerdoodles are made even better using cream of tartar, which helps them to be sour and chewy.

You may credit the acid in cream of tartar for the delicious snickerdoodles. They prevent the sugar in the cookie dough from crystallizing, resulting in perfectly baked snickerdoodles.

If you want to create the greatest snickerdoodles, you won’t be able to do without cream of tartar.

Combining Cream of Tartar with Baking Soda

If you’ve been baking for a while, you’ve probably heard of folks mixing cream of tartar with baking soda.

As previously stated, cream of tartar may also be used as a leavening agent. This happens when you substitute baking powder with cream of tartar and baking soda.

If you ever need to bake anything and realize you’re short of baking powder, simply mix some cream of tartar with baking soda. It works well in a pinch, and many people have used it throughout the years.

It’s easy to understand why cream of tartar has become a pantry essential for so many bakers worldwide.

Is There a Substitute for Cream of Tartar?

Yes, there is an alternative for cream of tartar if you don’t have any on hand. To imitate the acidic impact that cream of tartar has on dishes, use two tablespoons of lemon juice or vinegar.

It should be noted, however, that these components have unique tastes and that cream of tartar is the preferred ingredient.

If you want things to work out correctly, you should always use cream of tartar when it’s asked for. Lemon juice may provide the desired acidic response, but it does not guarantee that the results will be same.

As long as you keep this in mind, knowing that lemon juice or vinegar might possibly do the work will be beneficial.

Buy Cream of Tartar for Your Pantry

Make sure to stock up on cream of tartar the next time you’re in the baking goods section of your local grocery store.

Anyone who bakes on a regular basis will want to have some cream of tartar on hand. It is more beneficial than you may have anticipated, and it is a crucial component to which you should pay attention.

It should be easy to enjoy cream of tartar now that you know more about it. You’ve discovered how handy it can be in cookie recipes and that it’s required for making meringues.

Just make sure you have some on hand for the next time you’re baking in your kitchen.