Snickerdoodle Cookie Recipe - How to Make Snickerdoodles Without Cream of Tartar

Snickerdoodle Cookie Recipe - How to Make Snickerdoodles Without Cream of Tartar Cream of tartar is an age old ingredient, found in just about any Snickerdoodle recipe. The common household baker rarely knows what cream of tartar is, let alone has this acidic based salt in their spice cupboard. Suffice it to say you can still enjoy delicious Snickerdoodles even though you may not have any on hand. You may even find you like the end results better with a simple common substitution.

Cream of tartar is commonly used in conjunction with baking soda when making Snickerdoodle cookies. Baking soda is the leavening agent while cream of tartar has no leavening qualities at all. It is the acidic counterpart that allows the baking soda to react and not leave a bitter taste in the cookie after it is baked. Baking soda must always be used with an acid based food such as buttermilk, yogurt, fruits, and cream of tartar. A Snickerdoodle recipe usually calls for two parts cream of tartar to one part baking soda. However, in the absence of cream of tartar you can replace this two to one formula with baking powder. Baking powder is also a leavening agent. It produces a gas during the baking process that raises the baked good in the oven. Baking powder makes a good substitution in this recipe because it is conveniently made of baking soda, cornstarch, and cream of tartar. If you have baking powder in your cupboard, then you have the cream of tartar necessary to make Snickerdoodles. However, although you can substitute baking powder in your Snickerdoodle recipe, you may arrive at a different finished result. It will taste every bit as good as you want it too, you will find that it is a thicker cookie that has spread less in the oven during the baking period. Since most people find this favorable in a cookie then it should not be a problem. If you have always enjoyed thinner, crispier Snickerdoodles, then stick with the original formula that uses cream of tartar. Whether you are using the baking soda cream of tartar combination or the baking powder alone, you will make a crackled, spicy, sweet treat enjoyed by all. Try these Snickerdoodle cookie recipes: one with cream of tartar and one without to see which one you prefer the most. Snickerdoodle Cookie Recipe - How to Make Snickerdoodles Without Cream of Tartar

3 Homemade Candy Recipes That You Can Make For Holiday Gifts

3 Homemade Candy Recipes That You Can Make For Holiday Gifts When it comes to making homemade food to give as holiday gifts, I think we all will agree that candy is at the top of the list. All three of these recipes are easy to prepare and will take less than 15 minutes to make (not including set up time).

You can make the candies and then package them in cellophane food-safe bags, metal cookie/candy tins or decorative holiday plastic containers. You can safely make these recipes up to 1 week before you plan on giving them as a gift. Holiday Marble Bark 6 squares semi-sweet baking chocolate 6 squares premium white baking chocolate 1 cup crushed peppermint candies Using 2 different microwave-safe containers, melt the semi-sweet and white chocolates in separate bowls. You should use the high power setting, stirring the chocolates at 30 second intervals until they are melted. I find that using a silicone nonstick spatula works best for this task. Stir 1/2 cup of the peppermint candies into each container. Alternately spoon melted chocolates onto waxed paper lined cookie sheet. Swirl chocolates together with the spatula to give it a marbled effect. Refrigerate for 1 1/2 hours or until firm. Break into bite-sized pieces. Double Peanut Clusters 2 cups peanut butter morsels 1 tablespoon vegetable shortening 2 cups salted peanuts Melt the peanut butter morsels and shortening in the top of a double boiler over hot, not boiling water. Carefully stir in the peanuts until they are well covered by the mixture. Line a baking sheet with waxed or parchment paper. Drop mixture by the teaspoons onto the baking sheet. Cool until firm. Pecan Pralines 1 lb. bag brown sugar 2 tablespoons butter 1 cup whipping cream 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 cup whole pecan halves Using a medium-sized saucepan, combine the brown sugar with the whipping cream. Simmer this mixture over low for 10 minutes, stirring often with a nonstick silicone spatula. Remove from heat and stir in the butter, vanilla extract and pecan halves. Beat this mixture by hand for 3 minutes. Line a baking sheet with waxed or parchment paper and drop the mixture onto the sheet by rounded tablespoons. Cool until firm. 3 Homemade Candy Recipes That You Can Make For Holiday Gifts