Cream of Tartar Substitute (Best Replacements + Exact Ratios)

Have you ever found yourself in the middle of a recipe only to find that you don’t have a Cream of Tartar? It happens more often than you’d think. Don’t worry, I have a couple of easy replacements you can use as a Substitute for Cream of Tartar.

I found myself in that exact situation. I was knee-deep into baking cookies for Santa with the kids when I realized that I did not have Cream of Tartar. Now, what would you do in that situation? There is no way that you would stop and tell the kids, “Well, it looks like Santa won’t get any cookies this year.” No…you press on! Thank goodness for the internet and substitutions. I will tell you that the ratios on the internet are all over the place, and a bit confusing. I’ll first tell you what I did. Then, I’ll point you in the right direction for more ratios, so you can check those as well.

Cream of Tartar Substitute

Best Substitute for Cream of Tartar in Baking

Cream of tartar acts as the acidic ingredient in many baking recipes. When combined with baking soda, it helps cookies and baked goods rise and gives them a soft texture. If your recipe uses both baking soda and cream of tartar, baking powder is usually the easiest substitute because it already contains both ingredients.

I ultimately used baking powder in place of Cream of Tartar. I found that if you replace Cream of Tartar with baking powder, you need to also take out the baking soda in the recipe. You need to use Baking Powder alone in the place of Cream of Tartar & Baking Soda. You see…Baking Powder already has Baking Soda in it, and it also has Cream of Tartar. That’s what the acidic ingredient is in Baking Powder – it helps make the bread or cookie rise. 

My original cookie recipe needed 1 tsp. Of Baking Soda and 1 tsp. of Cream of Tartar. I took those out of the recipe altogether and used 1 tsp of baking powder in their place. Let me tell you they were the best sugar cookies that Santa had ever received from us, and my recipe has changed forever – for the better. 

What to Use Instead for Meringue and Egg Whites

My baking plans involved cookies and cream of tartar. If your baking plans involve whipping egg whites into a meringue (thus the need for Cream of Tartar), check out my substitute for that specific circumstance. 

Unlike cookies and baked goods, whipped egg whites need an acidic ingredient to stabilize them, so lemon juice or white vinegar works better than baking powder in this situation.

If you’re making whipped desserts, you may also like my homemade whipped cream or my lemon meringue cookie recipe.

Expert Tip

Baking powder is baking soda and cream of tartar already mixed together, so there you have it. Baking powder already contains both an acidic ingredient and baking soda, making it an easy substitute in many baking recipes.

If your recipe calls for baking soda, then you can probably omit it. It’s already in the baking powder.

If your recipe calls for 1/2 cream of tarter and 1/4 baking soda – add them together and use 3/4 baking powder

If you love baking shortcuts and ingredient swaps, you might also like my cooking tips and kitchen guides.

FAQs

Can You Substitute Lemon Juice or Vinegar for Cream of Tartar?

• When Cream of Tartar is added to whipped egg whites, it acts as a bonding agent. It keeps them from deflating like a balloon and leaving your recipe flat. 
• In this circumstance, you’ll want to – use 1 tsp. of acid in the form of Lemon Juice or White Vinegar per 1/2 tsp. of Cream of Tartar 
• *So, if your recipe calls for…
• 1 tsp. of Cream of Tartar, then that is = to 2 tsp. of Lemon Juice or White Vinegar
• 1/2 tsp. of Cream of tartar = 1 tsp. of Lemon Juice or White Vinegar

More Baking Tips

• Substituting Baking Soda for Baking Powder
• How to Make Buttermilk with Lemon Juice
• Substituting Butter with Applesauce in Baking

Learn More About Cream of Tartar and Baking Science

Learn more about the baking science behind cream of tartar and why acidic ingredients affect texture and rise.

About.com – explains the chemistry and gives very precise amounts

Additional substitution ratios

Need more exact conversions? This guide covers additional cream of tartar replacement scenarios.

What’s Cooking America – Another ratio for you