The process of making a pie from scratch is certainly a rewarding one. And as with anything you bake, the preparation and process is crucial to the outcome. Youve spent time and effort putting the pastry together, so dont sell yourself short by skipping the final step—the egg wash for the pie crust. The truth is that cream and egg washes are a simple but vital step to improving the appearance and flavor of pies and other baked goods. Learn which type of pie crust wash to use based on your recipe and how to apply it for a beautiful, golden top.
For sweet/dessert pies we may use a light brushing of milk and sprinkle on a little sugar, not for browning but to add a little sugar crunch on top of the pie. Egg wash is the most reliable but it can be very thick and sticky. Milk wash will go on more evenly but it can soak into pastry and make it weaker.
What Is a Wash—and Why Pies Need One
A wash is a liquid brushed on the dough right before baking. It is typically made from either a beaten egg thinned with water or heavy cream.
Pies with a top crust or lattice top will typically call for an egg or cream wash to be brushed onto the dough. The type of wash you use is what will give the baked pie a polished finish. Its also the perfect “glue” for holding sugar thats sprinkled on the crust or seeds on top of a loaf of bread.
How to Make an Egg Wash
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The general rule of thumb for an egg wash is one well-beaten whole egg plus one to two tablespoons of water. More water will lighten the golden color, or for a shinier pie, you can substitute the water with cream or milk. Sometimes, an egg wash is made with just yolks for extra color—or just whites for extra shine.
How to Make and Use an Egg Wash | Baking Basics
FAQ
What is the best wash for pie crust?
Can you use milk instead of egg wash for pastry?
Is it better to brush puff pastry with milk or egg?
Do you put water or milk in pie crust?
Can you put egg wash on pie crust?
Yes, you can put egg wash on pie crust! Egg wash is a mixture of egg and milk or water that is brushed on the top of unbaked pies before they are baked. It helps to give the crust a golden and glossy color, as well as helps it to brown evenly. Egg wash also helps to seal the edges of the crust and prevents the filling from leaking out.
What are the healthier substitutes of egg in baking?
Egg is used for binding, leavening and moistness in baked recipes. The few alternatives of eggs are chia seeds which are used for their binding properties. Tofu is used to achieve the look of scrambled egg, a pinch of turmeric and yeast can be added to obtain flavor. Flaxseed gel with little baking powder is used in leavening the dough for moistness, mashed banana, applesauce, pureed avocado and garbanzo beans can be used.
Can you use egg wash on pie dough?
And remember egg wash isn’t just for pie; use it on any dough you’d like to give a nice shine to, including challah, brioche, and puff pastry. The classic egg wash is sometimes made with water or heavy cream, but most often it’s a combination of 1 egg to 1 Tbsp. milk, whisked together until smooth.
Does egg wash add color to pie crust?
This way you can brush an even thin layer on your pie crust, which will help it brown evenly. Water doesn’t add any flavor to your egg wash and will also not help add color. It will, however, help dilute the intensity of the yolk, especially when you are only using egg yolk.