I don't understand why you need to put cream of tartar in royal icing that will be used to decorate cookies. I thought that meringue powder already has cream of tartar in it. Can someone explain the reason for this? I'm making cookies and I want to make sure I need to add the cream of tartar before I decorate them. Thanks so much!
Sandy

I have never heard of this! I just use 2 pounds powdered sugar, 3 tablespoons meringue powder, and tons of flavoring to get rid of the meringue taste. Add water to desired consistency, beat for 7 minutes. Add more water to get to flooding stage and decorate. I would suggest tasting your royal before beating it for 7 minutes to make sure it has enough flavor.

I add it because one time I ran out of cream of tartar, thought it would be okay, but it took probably a day longer for my icing to harden. Maybe it was just a coincidence, but I always add it now!

I have the recipe from Antonia 74 from CC. I've decorated cookies with royal icing before without the cream of tartar. When I reviewed her recipe I wondered what the extra cream of tartar did to the icing. If anyone knows what it does I would love to know.
Sandy

It is a stabilizer.. it increases the volume of egg whites when you whip them. It also helps to prevent the crystalization of sugar when it's cooked. It's an acid made from teh sediment found in wine barrels.. who would have thought to use it in the first place?? LOL There is cream of tartar in meringue powder.. I wonder if your recipe is one that says you can substitute the MP for egg whites??

The recipe I have has you putting in 5 tablespoons of meringue powder and 1 teaspoon cream of tartar. This is why I'm confused. I'm wondering if someone out there knows the reason for the additional cream of tartar.
Sandy

It could be for extra stability or volume.

Thanks for the replies.
Sandy

There is a specific cream tartar for royal icing or any one will work to?

yes just regular cream of tartar

there is more than one kind?

or you were just checking to see if there was something more special?

just the regular cream of tartar--sold in the grocery store where spices are sold (in the us anyway ;)

It stabalizes your RI. And helps it not be a runny mess. And for white RI it helps give a BRIGHT white.

It's my understanding that people who live in very dry climates don't need to add the cream of tartar to their royal icing, but more humid environments need it or the icing takes forever to set up.