Questions About Cream of Tartar?

Question

It's kind of expensive($4.00 for a tiny jar) so I'd like to know if it can be used for anything besides angel food cakes and meringues. Also, how do you store it and how long will it last? Thanks for any help.

Answer 1

You also use it in snickerdoodle cookies.  Even though it's expensive, it will keep for a long time so you might as well just buy the small jar of it.  Your recipes will turn out much better with it instead of trying to substitute.

Answer 2

The answer is, there is not a good substitution. If cream of tartar is used along with baking soda in a cake or cookie recipe, omit both and use baking powder instead. If it calls for baking soda and cream of tarter, I would just use baking powder.

Normally, when cream of tartar is used in a cookie, it is used together with baking soda. The two of them combined work like double-acting baking powder. When substituting for cream of tartar, you must also substitute for the baking soda. If your recipe calls for baking soda and cream of tarter, I would just use baking powder.

One teaspoon baking powder is equivalent to 1/4 teaspoon baking soda plus 5/8 teaspoon cream of tartar. If there is additional baking soda that does not fit into the equation, simply add it to the batter.

Answer 3

Many sugar cookie and shortbread cookie recipes call for cream of tartar. It also can be used in many recipes for frosting and homemade candy. Since it's such a tiny jar, you could probably use it up within a year, if you baked enough!