The Best Way to Make an Egg Wash and Use It for Perfectly Golden Baked Goods (2024)

Food

Learn this simple technique for making an egg wash and use it for stellar baking results.

Ananda Eidelstein

Ananda Eidelstein is a vegetable-loving food writer, recipe developer, and editor with nearly a decade of culinary and food media experience.

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Updated on June 03, 2024

Medically reviewed by

Kristy Del Coro, MS, RDN, LDN

Medically reviewed byKristy Del Coro, MS, RDN, LDN

Kristy Del Coro is a registered dietitian nutritionist, RDN, and professionally trained chef with more than 10 years of experience in the field of culinary nutrition. Her strong background in nutrition science, sustainable food systems, and culinary education makes her exceptionally qualified to write about food that is good for us and the planet—while not sacrificing flavor.

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Haley Mades

Fact checked byHaley Mades

Haley is a Wisconsin-based creative freelancer and recent graduate. She has worked as an editor, fact checker, and copywriter for various digital and print publications. Her most recent position was in academic publishing as a publicity and marketing assistant for the University of Wisconsin Press

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What Is an Egg Wash?

An egg wash is simply a whole egg, egg yolk, or egg white mixed with a small amount of water, milk, or cream. Often, a single beaten egg is also used; though it might be a bit trickier to brush on evenly, it will provide a luscious, dark sheen nonetheless.

The egg-liquid mixture is then brushed over baked goods—like bread or pastries—before going in the oven to help give them a strikingly golden color and an eye-catching gloss after baking. An egg wash can also help seal the edges of filled pastries or hand pies and help any sprinkled sugar adhere to the dough. It's a straightforward technique that elevates both sweet and savory baked goods.

How to Make an Egg Wash

As you may have guessed, making an egg wash is very simple and requires only two steps.

Beat one large egg and one tablespoon of liquid (water, milk, or cream) in a small bowl with a fork until well combined. (Alternatively, beat one large egg white or one large egg yolk with one teaspoon of liquid.)
Brush the egg wash mixture evenly on the surface of the dough using a pastry brush. Bake according to the recipe. The desired browning and gloss effect is a direct result of heat.

Because this technique involves raw eggs, the brush should be thoroughly washed after use to avoid cross-contamination, and this technique should not be applied if not followed by the indicated baking time of a recipe.

Water vs. Milk or Cream

Choosing which liquid to use in an egg wash can depend on how much browning and gloss is desired. The more fat and protein in the mixture, the more browning and shine. A whole egg mixed with water will produce golden-brown results with some gloss, while a whole egg combined with heavy cream takes that up a few notches and yields deeply golden-brown results with a touch more sheen.

Egg White vs. Egg Yolk

Additionally, you might wonder when it's best to use just an egg white or an egg yolk. An egg white mixed with water is best used for baked goods that would benefit from a nice gloss and just some light golden color. An egg yolk mixed with water will yield a deep golden color (much like a whole beaten egg without any liquid). Using milk or cream will further enhance the color and gloss.

However, feel free to use what you have on hand. The benefit of using a whole egg instead of only an egg white or an egg yolk is that it minimizes food waste. Or, be sure to use the rest of the egg for tasty scrambled eggs if only using the egg white or yolk for the egg wash.

How to Use an Egg Wash

To use an egg wash follow these simple steps:

Whisk your egg wash mixture together in a small bowl
With a pastry brush, apply the mixture evenly to pastries
Avoid pooling around the base or on the surface of the pastry, which can result in an uneven look after baking but can also be off-putting in terms of taste

Try one of these sample recipes that use this simple egg-wash technique when baking.

Ideally, a silicone brush is used for easy clean-up and less concern over loose bristles from a natural pastry brush, which has the potential to shed.

Recipes That Use an Egg Wash

01of 04

Honey-Apple Galette With Pistachio Sugar

The Best Way to Make an Egg Wash and Use It for Perfectly Golden Baked Goods (4)

Brushing the edges of this galette with an egg wash helps the pistachio sugar adhere to the dough. It's a beautiful apple recipe that's perfect for serving guests.

Red Pepper Walnut Knots

The Best Way to Make an Egg Wash and Use It for Perfectly Golden Baked Goods (5)

An egg wash helps these flaky and flavorful knots turn into golden perfection. They're a delightful party appetizer and are easy to make using puff pastry.

GET THE RECIPE

03of 04

Puff Pastry Cinnamon Rolls

The Best Way to Make an Egg Wash and Use It for Perfectly Golden Baked Goods (6)

These beautiful, puffy cinnamon rolls come together in just 30 minutes and are sure to make any breakfast holiday-worthy. Usually, the yeast in these pastries needs hours to rise and knead, but the substitution of puff pastry cuts the time down to just minutes. Finish with an egg wash, and you'll have perfect golden rolls.

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04of 04

Rotisserie Chicken Pot Pie

The Best Way to Make an Egg Wash and Use It for Perfectly Golden Baked Goods (7)

Rotisserie chicken shaves tons of time off of this recipe for a comfort food classic. And the store-bought puff pastry doesn't even need to be rolled—you can just cut it into squares and plop them onto the top. An egg wash finish gives the pastry that rich, golden brown exterior.

GET THE RECIPE

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a way to apply egg wash without a brush?

A couple of substitutions for a brush work just as effectively for an egg wash. First, you can use a spoon to drizzle or rub the egg wash onto your pastry gently. After you've finished, take a damp paper towel and smooth it over the wash to ensure it's distributed evenly. Parchment or waxed paper can also be an effective substitute for a pastry brush, and you can make your own "brush" by folding the paper vertically a few times and then cutting bristles at one end. Your fingers can also be used to apply the egg wash in a pinch.
Can just milk or cream be used as a wash on baked goods?

Yes, you can use just milk or cream as a wash on baked goods. You can also use oil or butter, and they all can give you that same crispy golden coating that eggs provide. You can apply these substitutes with a pastry brush, just like you would with an egg wash.
Are there vegan substitutes for egg wash?
Yes! You can use melted coconut oil, almond milk, or a vegan butter, soy milk, and agave mixture. You can also use:
- Aquafaba: The liquid in a can of chickpeas is known as aquafaba, and you can use it in vegan baking as a substitute for egg whites. Bakers like this option as a sub for egg wash because it has the closest consistency to egg whites.
- Cornstarch: To use the cornstarch method, make a slurry of cornstarch and water (like you would for a sauce thickener), and brush that onto your pastry.
- Flax egg: A flax "egg" is just flaxseed and water. When you whisk them together, they form a binding agent often used in vegan baking as a substitute for eggs. However, this option can leave the surface of pastries a bit mealy, so keep that in mind before using it as your egg wash substitute.

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