Need a way to make those pie crusts brown and shine without using egg or dairy? Then you’ll want to try this Vegan Pie Crust Wash method that used on my cheater blueberry pie.
Don’t tell me that you don’t know what a cheater blueberry pie is?!
It’s the kind that you use a store boughy crust and filling from a can! There’s no stirring, mixing, blending, rolling, or effort involved! All you have to do is preheat the oven, roll out the dough, dump the canned filling, roll out another dough, brush the crust wash and pop it in the oven! SO SIMPLE!
The store-bought crust that I used for the cheater blueberry pie contains wheat and soy, but is free of dairy, egg and nuts. The crust isn’t safe for me since I avoid gluten, but I was making the pie specifically for my son who’s able to have gluten. Not to mention, I’m more of an apple pie kind of girl. No offense, blueberry.
Vegan Pie Crust Wash secret revealed!
So what did I use to make the crust turn out brown and shiny???
The secret ingredient used to wash the pie crust is….
warm apricot jam.
I stirred the jam to get out all of the lumps and warmed it in the microwave for about 30 seconds. Make sure to give it another brisk stir and then brush the top of your pie crust prior to baking. That’s it!
There! Now you can sleep at night knowing the biggest secret in creating a gorgeous pie crust without dairy or eggs.
You’re welcome.
Elizabeth 😉
O what a fabulous idea! Adds a little extra sweetness too!
This looks just perfect, just in time for Thanksgiving!
I’ll have to try it out for my allergy-friendly apple pie in a couple of weeks!
This is such a great idea, especially for an egg free/vegan option! It’s perfectly golden brown and I bet it added just the perfect amount of sweetness.
It did! The contrasting flavor of the apricot complimented the sweet blueberry taste perfectly!
As a blueberry lover, I am offended. HA! Love it.
Ha! I’m a blueberry lover too, just not in a pie. 🙂
What an awesome idea! I am all about the little cheats…toddlers and diy don’t mix!
Such a great idea! And I bet the natural sugar gives the crust a good crunchy finish.
We learned this in culinary school and I had totally forgotten about this trick until now!
Love this idea! It looks amazing – picture perfect pie 🙂
This is BRILLIANT Elizabeth. Do you think it works with other flavors or is there something special about apricot?
Thanks! I’m sure it’ll work with all flavors. I just thought apricot was a nice contrasting taste to the blueberry and I wanted to choose one with a light color.
I love this jam idea plus I’m sure it adds some really yummy extra flavor!
Love this! In traditional French baking, the apricot jam is a must mixed with water or an alcohol. You are brilliant as it has a nice stable flavor that is not too strong and yet, makes things gorgeous, like your pie! When it is mixed with water, you can brush it over cake before you add a filling, so that is a variation, but a similar concept. Another secret: do it over chicken before roasting. Thank you for your fabulously creative thoughts and gorgeous photos!!!! Happy Thanksgiving
Oooohhh! I love your secrets, Caroline! Happy Thanksgiving!
Can I use this on the inside of the crust for fruit pies? My apple pie recipe calls for brushing egg yolk on the inside, then baking for 5 minutes before adding the apples.
Pat, most recipes call for brushing the top of the pie crust, not the inside.