McCormick Cream Of Tartar 1.5 oz – Pure Tartaric Acid for Clean-Eating Holiday Desserts
McCormick Cream Of Tartar 1.5 oz – Pure Tartaric Acid for Clean-Eating Holiday Desserts
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Why you'll love it
- Trusted McCormick brand name in baking and spices
- All-natural ingredient with no additives or artificial components
- Multi-purpose jar works for both baking and non-toxic cookware cleaning
- Essential ingredient for classic holiday desserts that home bakers can't easily substitute
- Tasteless formula that doesn't alter the flavor profile of delicate desserts
- Compact 1.5 oz size keeps the pantry organized without bulk
Perfect for
- Stabilizing beaten egg whites for angel food cake and meringue shells during holiday baking
- Making homemade baking powder by combining with baking soda and cornstarch
- Preventing homemade whipped cream from deflating for pie toppings and frostings
- Creating fluffy 7-minute frostings and meringue for pies
- Making a gentle paste cleaner for copper cookware
Cream of tartar is an all-natural ingredient essential to holiday baking. It adds texture, volume and lift to beaten egg whites in angel food cake, meringue shells, meringue for pies and 7-minute frostings, resulting in light and fluffy holiday desserts. Cream of tartar, also known as tartaric acid, is a byproduct left after the fermentation of grapes into wine. This tasteless baking necessity stabilizes beaten egg whites in desserts and egg dishes. A pinch of cream of tartar also helps prevent homemade whipped cream from deflating. To make your own baking powder, simply mix 1/2 tsp. cream of tartar and 1/4 tsp. each baking soda & cornstarch. You can also make a gentle cleaner for copper cookware by mixing cream of tartar with a little water into a paste.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this cream of tartar free of artificial additives?
Yes, McCormick cream of tartar is a pure, single-ingredient product (tartaric acid) with no artificial colors, flavors, preservatives, or anti-caking agents.
Is it gluten-free and allergen-friendly?
Cream of tartar is naturally gluten-free and contains no common allergens, making it a safe choice for those with dietary sensitivities when used in baking.
Does the ingredient come from a natural source?
Yes, cream of tartar is a natural byproduct of wine grape fermentation, giving it a plant-based, recognizable origin that aligns with whole-food and clean-eating values.
Is this safe to use in homemade wellness-oriented recipes?
Yes, it's a standard baking ingredient that has been used for generations in homemade recipes like meringues, whipped cream, and gentle copper cleaners, all of which suit a wellness-focused home.
Does it add any flavor that could affect the taste of my food?
No, cream of tartar is essentially tasteless in the small amounts used in recipes, so it won't alter the flavor of delicate desserts like angel food cake, meringues, or whipped toppings.
Is this a non-toxic option for cleaning my copper cookware?
Yes, cream of tartar mixed into a gentle paste with water or lemon is a classic, non-toxic way to clean and polish copper cookware without harsh chemicals, supporting a healthier home environment.
Can I use this in my mindful weekend baking ritual?
Absolutely. Many home bakers enjoy the slow, intentional process of making from-scratch desserts, and cream of tartar supports that ritual by helping create the perfect texture in classic recipes.
Is it safe for kids to be around during baking?
Yes, it's a common food ingredient used in family recipes like meringues and angel food cake. As with all pantry items, it should be stored out of reach of very young children.
Does this support a clean-eating lifestyle?
Yes, because it contains only one pure, recognizable ingredient, it fits well into clean-eating and whole-food approaches to home cooking and baking.
How does this compare to baking powder with added starches and chemicals?
Many commercial baking powders contain anti-caking agents and additives. Using cream of tartar with baking soda and cornstarch lets you control exactly what's in your homemade leavening, which many wellness-focused bakers prefer.
Is this a better choice than commercial chemical copper cleaners?
Yes, for wellness-minded homeowners, a cream of tartar paste offers a natural alternative to harsh chemical polishes, which can leave residues and strong fumes near food preparation areas.
Will baking with this give me peace of mind about ingredients?
Yes, knowing that the only ingredient in the jar is pure tartaric acid gives wellness-focused bakers confidence that they're making desserts with the cleanest possible components.
Does it have a strong smell that could disrupt a calming environment?
No, cream of tartar is virtually odorless, so it won't interfere with the calm, mindful atmosphere you create while baking or while enjoying a quiet evening at home.
Is it safe for people with dietary restrictions?
Cream of tartar is vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, and contains no major allergens, making it a versatile option for households with various dietary needs.
Is this ingredient sustainably sourced?
Because cream of tartar is a natural byproduct of the wine industry, it makes use of material that would otherwise be discarded, which aligns with sustainability and waste-conscious values.
Will I really notice a difference in my baking versus skipping it?
Yes. In egg white recipes, cream of tartar helps create higher volume, better structure, and more stable meringues, angel food cakes, and whipped toppings, which can elevate your baking results noticeably.
How do I use McCormick cream of tartar to stabilize egg whites?
Add 1/8 teaspoon of cream of tartar per egg white when you begin beating. It helps the whites whip up to a higher volume and hold their structure longer, which is ideal for meringues, angel food cake, and soufflés.
How do I make homemade baking powder with this product?
Combine 1/4 teaspoon of cream of tartar with 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda and 1/2 teaspoon of cornstarch. This creates a single batch of homemade baking powder equivalent to 1 teaspoon of store-bought.
How do I make a cream of tartar paste to clean copper cookware?
Mix 2 tablespoons of cream of tartar with a small amount of water or lemon juice to form a paste. Apply it to the copper surface, gently rub with a soft cloth, rinse thoroughly, and dry to restore shine.
Is cream of tartar compatible with all my baking recipes?
Cream of tartar is compatible with most baking recipes that call for egg whites, whipped cream, or homemade baking powder. It is not typically used in yeast breads or recipes where a tangy flavor would be undesirable.
Can I use this product if I only have a hand mixer, not a stand mixer?
Yes, cream of tartar works with both hand mixers and stand mixers. It actually helps stabilize egg whites during the longer whipping time that hand mixing sometimes requires.
What comes in the box when I order this product?
You will receive one 1.5 oz jar of McCormick Cream of Tartar with a resealable lid. No additional tools or ingredients are included, so you may want to have a measuring spoon on hand.
How should I store cream of tartar to keep it fresh?
Store the jar in a cool, dry place with the lid tightly sealed. Properly stored, cream of tartar can maintain its potency for several years, making it an easy pantry staple to keep on hand.
Is cream of tartar safe to consume in normal baking amounts?
Yes, cream of tartar is a common food ingredient used in small quantities (typically 1/8 to 1/2 teaspoon per recipe) and is recognized as safe for culinary use.
What is the difference between cream of tartar and baking powder?
Cream of tartar is a single acidic ingredient (tartaric acid), while baking powder is a complete leavening blend that already contains an acid (often cream of tartar) plus baking soda and a drying agent. You can use cream of tartar to make your own baking powder at home.
