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Egg Wash

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The real secret to gorgeous baked goods is a well-made egg wash. Though a little tricky to do perfectly right, it really contributes a glorious color and a little bit of a crispier texture on the very top of your pie crust or baked good.

For some delicious summertime uses for this Egg Wash recipe, try my blueberry pie or my favorite strawberry rhubarb pie!

Table of Contents
  1. What Is an Egg Wash?
  2. Egg Wash Ingredients
  3. How To Make Egg Wash
  4. How to Use an Egg Wash on Pies
  5. How To Use Egg Wash on Buns and other Baked Goods
  6. PIN THIS RECIPE to Your BAKING RECIPES Boards and Remember to FOLLOW ME ON PINTEREST!
  7. Egg Wash Recipe
egg wash on a pie crust

What Is an Egg Wash?

An egg wash is one of those secret tricks of the baking trade to produce perfect, glossy and crackly crusts on anything delicious and baked.

Though a pretty simple thing, it is a key step in many baking recipes. When done right, it creates the most beautifully mottled, amber-brown color that looks “right” and somehow makes whatever you are eating taste even more delicious.                                                                                   

Egg Wash Ingredients

Don’t forget to look at the recipe card at the very bottom of the page for all the ingredient amounts below.

• Egg

• Water

ingredients for egg wash

How To Make Egg Wash

• Whisk together the egg and the water in a medium bowl until completely incorporated

• check to make sure there aren’t any yolk streaks – really whisk it up to get it all mixed together

• Use a pastry brush to top any type of baked good for a beautiful color on top as it bakes  

How to Use an Egg Wash on Pies

One of the most common uses of egg washes is to top pies and give them a beautiful sheen once it’s baked.

If you are using egg wash on a solid pie, meaning a pie that is topped with one single sheet of pie crust, then it is easy enough to apply the egg wash, like with Saskatoon Pie.

However, a lot of pies actually use a criss-cross pattern of pie dough, creating a sort of lattice network with gaps in the middle for venting steam. If your pie is made up like this, you need to be a little more careful with your egg wash.

You want to try and avoid getting excessive amounts of egg wash into the innards of your pie. It won’t ruin it (unless you pour an entire egg’s worth in there), but the extra protein from the egg could mess up the texture of your pie filling.

brushing egg wash on top of a pie

How To Use Egg Wash on Buns and other Baked Goods

Egg washes aren’t only used for making pies, but pretty much every possible baked good you can imagine. If it could benefit from a slightly crispy, beautiful brown topping, then you should use an egg wash, like when making Hot Cross Buns.

A really common trick that uses egg wash is in trying to seal edges. Things like apple turnovers or anything that needs to be crimped into place can really benefit from egg wash because it helps the dough to stick together.

While you could just use water, the addition of the egg allows for some really delicious browning as well.

Looking for more delicious Dessert recipes? Try these out:

Blackberry Coconut Bundt Cake

Banana Pudding Cake With Cream Cheese Glaze

Lemon Cherry Crunch Cake

Enjoy!

Love,

Karlynn

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How to make an egg wash that gives you that delicious, shiny golden brown finish to your pastries and baked goods!
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Egg Wash

How to make an egg wash that gives you that delicious, shiny golden brown finish to your pastries and baked goods!
5 from 4 votes
Prep Time
1 minute
Course
Condiment
Cuisines
American, Canadian
Servings
1
Calories
1
Author
Karlynn Johnston

Ingredients
 

  • 1 whole egg
  • 1 tablespoon water

Instructions
 

  • Place the egg and water in a medium-sized bowl. Take a whisk and whisk them together until they are completely incorporated.
  • Make sure that there aren't any yolk streaks running through the wash as this will transfer into a streak on top of your baking! You have to really make sure that the two are completely mixed together!
  • Use a pastry brush to brush an even layer on top of your pastry or baked good. Again, making sure that the layer is even will result in even browning.
  • Bake the baked good according to the recipe instructions you are using.

Recipe Notes

  • The secret is making sure this is well combined for a streak-free, perfectly browned baked finish! 
  • Egg wash is perfect for when you want to adhere sanding sugar to the top of pie crusts and pastries as well. Simply brush over top then sprinkle the sugar on top and bake as directed.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 1kcal, Carbohydrates: 1g, Protein: 1g, Fat: 1g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 4mg, Sodium: 2mg, Potassium: 1mg, Vitamin A: 5IU, Calcium: 1mg, Iron: 1mg

All calories and info are based on a third party calculator and are only an estimate. Actual nutritional info will vary with brands used, your measuring methods, portion sizes and more.

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Karlynn Johnston

I’m a busy mom of two, wife & cookbook author who loves creating fast, fresh meals for my little family on the Canadian prairies. Karlynn Facts: I'm allergic to broccoli. I've never met a cocktail that I didn't like. I would rather burn down my house than clean it. Most of all, I love helping YOU get dinner ready because there's nothing more important than connecting with our loved ones around the dinner table!

Learn more about me

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