What is cream of tartar?
Cream of tartar, which is shelf-stable, is usually found in either the baking or spice aisle of the grocery store, and comes in a powder form. If you keep it well-sealed in an airtight container and away from extreme heat, it has an exceptionally long shelf life.
What does cream of tartar do?
Cream of tartar’s most popular use is to stabilize egg whites, making them less likely to deflate in dishes like meringues and mousses, but there are other uses for it too. Here are a few other ways cooks might use cream of tartar:
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What’s the best cream of tartar substitute?
Since cream of tartar is an acid, you’ll need to swap in another acidic product, such as lemon juice or white vinegar, neither of which will significantly alter the taste of your finished product.
If you’re looking for a cream of tartar replacement, here are some guidelines:
Cream of tartar recipes
Here are just a few ways cream of tartar can transform the look and texture of tasty dessert recipes.
Snowman Meringue Cookies: In this recipe, cream of tartar is used to create the stiff, shiny egg whites needed for the perfect meringue.
Spiced Snickerdoodle Cookies: By preventing the sugar molecules from coming together, cream of tartar helps give these cookies their signature flat, creased look.
Creamy Lemon Mousse: The cream of tartar is added to egg whites and sugar that are beaten over a bath of simmering water. The resulting meringue is added to the lemon base to give it a light, fluffy texture.
Chocolate-Covered Strawberry Angel Food Cake :Flour and cocoa powder are added to the beaten egg whites, producing a cake with a featherweight texture but a rich, decadent flavor.
Burnt Sugar Lollipops: Cream of tartar is used to help keep crystals from forming in the hot syrup, guaranteeing a smooth-looking finished product.
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