So what is a glaze? This can affect the finished look of your bread and the taste depending on the glaze you choose. I have the details of glazes below.
Tips on glazing:
-When applying a glaze before baking, be careful not to 'glue' the loaf to the rim of the loaf pan or the baking sheet. This not only makes it difficult to remove the loaf from the pan, but can keep the loaf from expanding during the cooking process.
-Use a clean, soft pastry brush. I like using the silicone pastry brush. It is not only soft but dishwasher safe which means you will have a sanitized pastry brush which is very important when using the egg wash.(Click here)
-For those glazes that are done before baking, lightly brush the loaf when it has risen and is ready to go in the oven. Be careful to not press hard.
Basic Egg Wash:
This gives a shiny, golden look to the crust. It can also be used as a 'glue' to be applied before any topping (oats, cheeses, but this will be on the March newsletter! Stay tuned).
-For a clear egg wash, use only the egg white beaten with 1 Tbs. water and pinch of salt.
-For extra golden sheen, allow the first coat to dry and then add one more coat of egg wash.
-For a darker sheen: use the whole egg, 1 Tbs. water and pinch of salt
NOTE: Only use the egg wash before the loaf is cooked. NOT after the loaf is baked.
Milk Wash:
Brush the bread dough with milk. For a sweeter glaze, dissolve a little raw sugar or honey in warm milk. Makes a golden crust.
NOTE: Only use the milk wash before the loaf is cooked. NOT after the loaf is baked.
Honey Wash:
This gives a soft, sweet, sticky crust. You brush this on the still warm loaf of bread. You only do this wash after the loaf is baked. Let the loaf sit out for several hours to let the honey soak into the loaf. This is really good with a cinnamon/raisin loaf. A little sticky to work with but oh soooo good!
Olive Oil Wash:
This gives an added flavor and shine. Brush the dough with olive oil immediately BEFORE and AFTER baking.
Butter:
I sometimes baste my bread but always baste my dinner rolls with melted butter. It makes a shine but also makes the rolls richer as the rolls soak in wonderful butter.
Fascinating! I usually brush my bread with butter, but am going to try some of the others now.
ReplyDeleteButter definitely is a great glaze as the butter soaks down into your bread. The other glazes keep your bread moist. The egg wash glaze gives a nice shine to your bread!
ReplyDeleteNext month, I will be featuring extra toppings to add beautiful texture and beauty to your breads. Stay tuned! :)
When you use the butter glaze for buns/bread do you do it before or after baking? This information is helpful. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI do the egg glazes before cooking; butter glazes after the bread is cooked. :) Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteWhat if I wanted to mix what I brush on it? Like a butter-egg or butter-olive or milk-egg mixture? Would any of those be good together?
ReplyDeleteReally the glazes have different purposes. The egg wash is to give it a shiny look while the butter/oil are for taste. The butter can give it a little bit of a shine but it usually just deepens the color.
ReplyDeleteI would skip the egg wash if you want to use oil or butter. As I said, the egg wash is for shine only and the butter/oil will dull the shine.
Personally, I like the butter glaze as I love bread and butter. The butter glaze soaks down into the bread crust making it soooo good! :) Let me know how else I can help you with your baking needs.
What seeds or grains are the best to use on top of breads before baking?
ReplyDelete