5. Skipping the Egg Wash
Ever been to a pie-baking contest and seen the winning sweet potato pie? It has a lovely golden-brown glaze to it. And it is not cracked on the top. Those of you who have baked sweet potato pie before know how difficult the perfect color and top texture can be to achieve. If you’ve been wondering what the secret is, it’s a simple wash of raw egg brushed over it before it goes into the oven.
It’s a breeze to do this and it only takes a minute or two. Crack an egg and whisk briefly in a small bowl, and with a pastry brush, spread a thin layer of egg over the top of the pie. There are some bakers who swear by adding a little milk, melted butter or sugar to the egg for an extra touch of golden brown. If you’re pressed for time, you can leave off the egg wash but you may find you regret it.