Substitute For Cream Of Tartar

Our answer

Nigella's recipe for Lily's Scones (from HOW TO BE A DOMESTIC GODDESS) uses a combination of bicarbonate of soda (baking soda) and cream of tartar as raising agents. Bicarbonate of soda is alkaline and cream of tartar is acidic and mixing the two together with liquid starts a reaction that forms bubbles of carbon dioxide. These bubbles expand in the heat of the oven and cause the scones to rise.

Cream of tartar can be difficult to find in some countries but can be replaced with another acid. Fresh lemon juice is the best substitute in this recipe and should be used in the same quantities as the cream of tartar (4 1/2 teaspoons). As it is a liquid rather than a powder the lemon juice should be added at the same time as the milk. Otherwise the recipe remains the same.