Why You Need To Be Egg Washing Your Apple Pie Crust
Pie-making can be intimidating for even an experienced home baker. Pie crust is a tricky thing to master, and so much depends on the weather (via Baking Kneads). If it's too humid, you may need to reduce the amount of liquid added, which is why many pie crust recipes instruct you to gradually add the water until the dough just comes together – you still want to see spots of butter or shortening amongst the flour. Sometimes you'll need all the water (or more if you live somewhere dry) or maybe even just half. And, of course, blind baking is one more step in ensuring your pie crust stays crisp. If you don't have pie weights, you can use anything from dried beans to sugar to blind-bake your crust.
You also need to consider your pie filling and how it will affect your crust. If you're baking a blueberry pie – which is mostly water – you need to take into account the water released from the berries as they cook (via Baking Kneads). You can do this by tossing the berries with some flour or cornstarch before baking. If you forget this step, no amount of blind baking is going to prevent the dreaded soggy bottom and a saucy comment from Mary Berry.
For an extra touch of professionalism, though, consider an egg wash before you bake.
An egg wash will give your pie that professional, golden brown crust
You should start egg washing pastry because it's essential to make your pie look ready for its "The Great British Baking Show" moment. Egg wash is how your favorite bakeries and patisseries get that golden-brown sheen on their baked goods that makes them look irresistible, as well as upping the crispy factor of your pie crust, per Food & Wine. Egg wash is also an excellent binder for your apple turnovers to make sure that juicy apple filling doesn't come spilling out. Also, consider sprinkling some raw sugar on the egg-washed crust for some extra crunch and sparkle – instead of leaving the crust behind on the plate, it'll get eaten.
If there's an egg allergy among your guests, opt for brushing milk or cream on your pie dough to achieve the delicate brown coloring. And for vegans or those with lactose issues, you can also brush almond milk or even oil on your pie crust to achieve the delicious, crispy, brown crust, according to Pure Wow. If all else fails and your crust remains pale, it might still be underbaked. Throw it back in for a few more minutes, but keep an eye on it.