Substitute For Cream Of Tartar In Snickerdoodles

Substitute For Cream Of Tartar In Snickerdoodles

Making snickerdoodles at home is one of the most exciting things to do and the ingredient that makes snickerdoodles stand out from all the other cookies is cream of tartar. In some cases you might find out that you do not have cream of tartar in your pantry, but this shouldn’t hinder you from preparing your snickerdoodles. This article highlights some of the substitutes of cream of tartar that you can use when making snickerdoodles. For those of you who are not aware of that snickerdoodles are this article contains a brief explanation of what exactly they are and it will explain the benefits of cream of tartar to snickerdoodles so that you can have an understanding of what exactly to look for in a substitute.

Contents

What are snickerdoodles?

A snickerdoodles is a type of cookie that is rolled in cinnamon and it has a texture that is light and fluffier compared to other cookies. The most interesting thing about snickerdoodles is that they are made using cream of tartar which is an ingredient that is commonly used in combination with egg whites to make a meringue. It is very rare for cookie dough to be made using cream of tartar. The the next section of this article will highlight the importance of cream of tartar to the snickerdoodles so that when looking for a substitute for cream of tartar in snickerdoodles we can find an ingredient that has the same properties and functions as cream of tartar.

What is cream of tartar?

Cream of tartar in scientific terms is often referred to as potassium bitartrate and it is a by-product of wine making.  Appearance wise it is a powder that is white but when you taste it is very acidic. Cream of tartar is used to make snickerdoodles because it gives the cookie a slightly bitter taste which is not found in most cookies. Furthermore, the cream of tartar helps to prevent the sugar inside the cookie dough of the snickerdoodles from crystalizing, so as a result the cookie stays soft and not crunchy like most cookies. Moreover the cream of tartar works as a raising agent in the snickerdoodles this is because it is usually used in combination with baking soda, so the acidic properties of cream of tartar activate the baking soda to make the cookie dough rise. Since we are now aware of the functions and benefits of using cream of tartar in snickerdoodles the substitute of cream of tartar in snickerdoodles should be able to fulfil most of the functions that the cream of tartar does.

Substitutes for cream of tartar in snickerdoodles

Substitute cream of tartar in snickerdoodles with baking powder

The widely used substitute of cream of tartar in snickerdoodles is baking powder.  When using baking powder to substitute cream of tartar in snickerdoodles just use 2 teaspoons of the baking powder and omit the baking soda from the snickerdoodles. This is because naturally baking powder is a raising agent so if you use it in combination with baking soda the snickerdoodle will not come out nicely. The downside of using baking powder as a substitute of cream of tartar in snickerdoodles is that it does not really add that acidic taste to the snickerdoodle unlike when you use cream of tartar.

Substitute cream of tartar in snickerdoodles using lemon juice or white vinegar

If you are looking for that tangy taste found in snickerdoodles then you can use lemon juice or white vinegar to substitute cream of tartar. This is because lemon juice and white vinegar are acidic ingredients therefore they will add an acidic like flavour to the cookie. You can simply add ¼ a teaspoon of lemon juice or white vinegar to all the other ingredients when making the dough.  However, the problem with using lemon juice and white vinegar to make snickerdoodles is that they do not help the cookie dough of the snickerdoodles to rise thus, the snickerdoodles will not come out perfectly. Furthermore, the lemon and vinegar do not necessarily keep the snickerdoodle soft as compared to when you use cream of tartar.

Easy recipe for making snickerdoodles without cream of tartar

NB: try this recipe if you are substituting cream of tartar with baking powder.

For this recipe you will need; 2 sticks of unsalted butter, 1 larger egg, 2 teaspoons of baking powder, 1 ½ cups of granulated sugar, ¼ teaspoon of kosher salt and 3 cups all-purpose flour. For the cinnamon topping you will need 1 tablespoon of cinnamon and sugar

Step 1

The first step is to cream the butter and sugar together using the standard creaming method for cookies until they are really fluffy and light.

Step 2

When the butter and sugar are nicely mixed add the eggs and mix them well then you can add all the remaining dry ingredients and mix. The dough will be kind of thick but do not mind that.

Step 3

When the dough is ready, scoop it into large balls depending on the size that you like. Then roll them into the cinnamon and sugar mixture and flatten them on a baking sheet.

Step 4

Place the snickerdoodles in the oven that is at 350F and bake them until they have a nice golden colour. This can take 8 to 10 minutes before they are done. When they are done remove them from the oven and allow them to rest for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a cool rack.

Conclusion

Snickerdoodles are very common and the ingredient that makes them unique is the cream of tartar as it serves a number of purposes for example it makes the cookie soft whilst adding a tangy taste. Furthermore the cream of tartar helps the snickerdoodles to rise when they are baked. The article above has highlighted the substitutes of cream of tartar when making snickerdoodles and baking powder is the most recommended substitute since it helps the snickerdoodles to rise although it doesn’t add that acidic flavour. Lemon juice and white vinegar were also mentioned however they only add that acidic feel but they do not help the snickerdoodles to rise.

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