What's the purpose of adding water to an egg wash?

What's the purpose of adding water to an egg wash? - Photo of People Eating Breakfast

Many recipes I've seen call for beating a tablespoon or so of water in with the egg for an egg wash.

What is the effect of adding the water to the egg wash when baking?



Best Answer

The proteins in a fresh egg are too viscous, even when thoroughly beaten, to wash a baked good.

The water thins the proteins so you get a nice glaze instead of a layer of scrambled egg.

Older eggs have sometimes degraded enough that they don't need the water but it is easier to always add water than to make a subjective judgement on the state of your egg proteins.




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Quick Answer about "What's the purpose of adding water to an egg wash?"

Egg washes may contain water, milk, or cream, and sometimes salt. 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.

Why do you add water to egg wash?

The proteins in a fresh egg are too viscous, even when thoroughly beaten, to wash a baked good. The water thins the proteins so you get a nice glaze instead of a layer of scrambled egg.

Is water or milk better for egg wash?

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. Use it for that traditional rich, golden brown color with just enough shine. For a crisp crust with a matte, classic pie appearance, use just milk.

Does egg wash make a difference?

In baking, many recipes call for an egg wash to be brushed on the baked good before it goes into the oven. The purpose of this is to give the final product a golden brown color that is slightly shiny. This is purely for aesthetic purposes and does not really affect the final flavor of the baked good.

Does egg wash have water in it?

Egg wash is a mixture of beaten egg and liquid (usually water or milk) that is brushed onto baked goods like pastries before baking. It adds shine and color and helps to seal up edges.



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