Should I egg wash my pie crust?

One of my very favorite kitchen tricks is to brush a bottom pie crust with an egg white wash before filling. This keeps the filling from seeping into the crust and creating a soggy bottom. I like to avoid soggy bottoms at all costs. Egg white and water is also perfect for sealing edges, like when making a pie.

What does egg wash do for pie crust?

An egg white only egg wash is useful for brushing on the bottom of blind-baked pie crusts to create a watertight barrier between the filling and the crust. Or it can be used to help sugar adhere to pastry.

What do you brush on pie crust before baking?

For a glossy golden appearance, brush with an egg yolk that was beaten with 1 teaspoon of water. For slight shine, brush with half-and-half cream of heavy whipping cream. For a crisp brown crust, brush with water. For a little sparkle, sprinkle with sugar or decorator sugar after brushing with one of the washes.

Should I brush pie crust with egg or milk?

For a crisp crust with a matte, classic pie appearance, use just milk. Many biscuits and rolls are brushed with milk or buttermilk to give them that finishing touch. For a little more shine than an all-milk wash, but not as much as an egg wash, use heavy cream or half-and-half.

Do you egg wash the top of a pie?

Pies with a top crust or lattice top will typically call for an egg or cream wash to be brushed on to the dough just before baking. The type of wash you use is what will give the baked pie a polished finish (it's also the perfect "glue" for holding sugar that's sprinkled on the crust).

Pie Crust Tip: Egg Wash

Is egg wash just egg white?

The simplest egg wash requires a single egg, but other egg washes can involve water, milk, or cream. Some recipes may tell you to use only the egg white, while others may tell you to use the yolk. Each combination produces a different color and shine: Beaten whole egg: Rich golden color and deep shine.

What happens if you forget egg wash?

Is egg wash necessary?

Without egg wash, the pastries look dull and dry, and not appetizing. Egg wash is also a great glue for making two pieces of pastry stick together (like the edges of a double pie crust), or adhering seeds and grains to the top of bread and rolls. So next time, don't skip the egg wash.

Which is better egg wash or milk wash?

Pastry chefs use an egg wash primarily for shine, though the egg yolk will contribute a golden color to the finished baked product. For a clear shine, an egg white alone can be used. Milk, on the other hand, is used to encourage browning.

Is butter a good egg wash?

While it might taste great, the only time you can get away with using butter as a substitute for an egg wash is as a glaze. Butter will make the pastry softer and add a slight shine, but there are still drawbacks (via Our Everyday Life).

How do you make a good egg wash?

Should I brush my pie crust with butter?

But topping pie crust with a spritz of water and a sprinkle of sugar, or a quick brush of sweet butter followed by the merest drift of flour, can take your pie — both its flavor and its texture — to a new level.

Why do you brush milk on pie crust?

A milk wash is used to encourage browning of the crust color, but also imparts flavor.

How do you keep a bottom pie crust from getting soggy?

Add a Layer

Sprinkle dried breadcrumbs or crushed cornflakes, or other types of cereal, on the bottom crust before filling and baking in the oven. This will prevent the filling from turning the crust soggy.

How do you make pastry shiny?

Just before your bread, pies or pastries go in the oven, use a pastry brush and paint them with a light, even coat of egg wash. When your dough bakes, the egg wash does too, creating a glossy sheen for that professional bake-shop look.

What are the methods of finishing pie crust?

Can you use melted butter instead of egg wash?

Melted Butter

This is a popular egg wash substitute. There are few things that can beat the taste of butter. It gives a crispy delicious flavor to the finished dish. To use: Melt butter at a low flame and turn it off just as the butter melts.

Can you egg wash after baking?

An egg wash can be applied to shaped bread or rolls before or after proofing, but it should always be added before baking. When applying after proofing, use a very light touch with the brush to avoid deflating the bread.

How do you seal a pie crust with egg whites?

Another additional step that you can do is to whisk an egg white with one tablespoon of water and brush it on the bottom and sides of the crust. Then, pop it back into the oven for 2-3 more minutes or until the egg wash is dry and shiny.

What happens if you don't brush pastry with egg?

Leaving a pastry without an egg wash will make the crust look pale and doughy, thus giving it an unfinished look. There are several alternatives that can be used as substitutes for an egg wash. Leaving a pastry without an egg wash will make the crust look pale and doughy, thus giving it an unfinished look.

Do you put egg wash on apple pie?

Brush the top of the pie with an egg wash and sprinkle with additional sugar. Bake in a preheated 425°F oven for 15 minutes then lower the temperature to 375 and continue baking for 30 minutes or until the apples are tender and the crust is golden brown.

What do you brush pastry with?

Since the best-looking pastries are made by applying a thin, even coat of egg wash, adding a little liquid (1 tablespoon per egg, or 1/2 tablespoon per yolk or white) will help thin it and make it easier to brush. Besides diluting the egg, milk or cream will also affect the final appearance.

What can I use instead of an egg wash brush?

Paper Towels

These work particularly well with oils, melted butter, and egg washes. Just ball up the paper towel, and soak the bottom corner in your basting liquid. Gently rub this over your food as needed.

How do you seal pastry edges?

To seal stuffed Puff Pastries, pinch the edges together or press with the tines of a fork, just as you'd seal a piecrust. Make sure the edges of your Puff Pastry are cut—a folded edge will not rise and puff.

Do You brush pie crust with egg white or egg yolk?

Whites only will give a shine, while baked goods brushed with yolk or whole egg washes will bake up more golden.