A question about a recipe: Vanilla Bean Meringue Cookies

I'm guessing that in Europe, Copper bowls are often used...and with those creme of tarter isn't needed.

I usually use either Kosher Salt as drbabs suggests or a touch of lemon juice. Cream of tartar is definitely not necessary-- and even in Snickerdoodles I don't use it at all.

Try a pinch of kosher salt. It helps the egg whites stiffen up quickly.

Cream of tartar is available in Germany. Go to an Apotheke and ask for Weinstein.

I'd leave out completely, it's not necessary if you follow the other elements of meringue success: age the egg whites properly, warm them up, clean equipment, gradually add sugar, etc.

Little known fact, baking powder is 1 part baking soda and 2 parts cream of tartar! I've used baking powder as a sub for cream of tartar before in meringues with no ill-effects (http://biggreencookbook.blogspot.com/2011/12/chocolate-chip-meringues.html).

No, cream of tartar (tartaric acid) is not a must. You just need an acid and the acid in lemon juice or vinegar will work too. You also don't need a lot (1/4 tsp), so the lemon juice doesn't impart any flavor

Thanks for the interesting question! The cream of tartar acts to stabilize the meringue. I have never used a substitute for cream of tartar, but have read that both lemon juice and white vinegar can be used. To substitute, you use the same amount of liquid as the cream of tartar called for in the recipe. For these meringues, 1/4 teaspoon of either lemon juice or white vinegar could be substituted for the 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar listed in the original recipe.

I don't know if lemon juice would impart any flavor into the finished cookies. I do know that I always wipe my mixing bowl and beaters with white vinegar before making meringue and I have never detected its flavor in the baked product.

I hope that you will share your results with me. I'd love to add the information to the original recipe. I'm sure that you aren't the only one who either doesn't have cream of tartar on hand or finds it hard to come by. Good luck-I looking forward to hearing from you!