I've had so much fun baking bread lately with my sourdough starter, but I was frustrated. Why wasn't my bread *pretty* like at Panera or the bakery?
It tasted good, but it was dull looking. None of the recipes I read said anything about getting a pretty, shiny, crackly crust. What was the secret?
Then I read in a magazine....brush with beaten egg! Now, why hadn't I thought of that?
{See that shiny crust?}
So, if you want a shiny, golden crust on your bread, just brush the top with beaten egg right before popping it in the oven!
Also, tonight I just came across this site with great ideas for glazing bread. I can't wait to try them all!
Be sure to scoot on over to Works For Me Wednesday for hundreds of "works for me" tips!
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Oh, that looks SO good. I've been wanting to make some and then try serving soup in bread bowls!
ReplyDeleteYour bread looks beautiful. I'm glad to know about purchasing that sourdough starter. Thanks for sharing. Love & blessings from NC!
ReplyDeleteMmm your bread looks delicious! My favorite bread recipe includes the egg wash on top and it always looks lovely
ReplyDeleteOh yeah!
ReplyDeleteOh yeah!
Gotta glaze that bread up with some egg wash!
Oh...and you can also sprinkle course sea salt on top of the egg wash and bake...I love me some crunchy sea salt on bread.
And Ina sprinkles freshly cracked pepper on top of her egg washed pot pies!!!
Oh that bread looks so yummmmmmmy!
And I know your house smelled beyond heavenly!
Oh how lucky your boys are...hubby and son!!!!!!
And I know your bestest friends...are lucky too!
xxooxx
You are FAB Bridget!!!!!!!
Great tip!
ReplyDeleteMy favorite bread recipe includes the egg wash on top and it always looks lovely
ReplyDeleteWork From Home
Your bread looks delicious! I have never made my own bread. I've made rolls, but not a loaf!
ReplyDeleteGreat tip, I guess it makes sense, but I wouldn't have done it either, so thanks!
ReplyDeletePretty bread, here I come!
Oh that makes total sense! thanks for the tip I always wondered that too~
ReplyDeleteok, you are REALLY tempting me with that bread aren't you?!!!
ReplyDeleteGuess I'm going to need to buy that starter!! LOL
Those bread bowls look AWESOME!!
Beat the whole egg or just the egg white??????? Mom used to brush it with melted butter right out of the oven for a nice soft crust.
ReplyDeleteI got a free starter from here....teh shipping for KAF's starter was $6.95!!!!!!!
ReplyDeletehttp://home.att.net/~carlsfriends/
Cindy....the whole egg. :) Yay for the starter! I think I saw that website when I was looking for mine. I'm sure it will be great!
ReplyDeleteI tend to prefer my sourdough looking rustic and without shine, but I must say, yours does look quite pretty. I think I'll save myself a nickel or two and use the egg for breakfast though. Thanks for sharing the secret.
ReplyDeleteI love that trick! :-)
ReplyDeleteI ordered my sourdough starter from KAF and it should be getting here tomorrow...I can't wait!!
mmmm...i was just at panera today :). your bread looks yummy. i read in an old 1950s betty crocker book i have a/b brushing the tops with egg whites. they also mentioned that if you want a soft crust to brush with butter?? either way, it all tastes the same going down :).
ReplyDeleteIt's raining outside, a great day for homemade bread! Your bread does look beautiful!
ReplyDeleteTHANK YOU! I've wondered that EVERY time I've baked a yummy homemade bread!
ReplyDeleteI think I have heard that somewhere before... but have never done it! Thanks for the great reminder. I am SOOO wanting homemade bread now!
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
Amanda
I've always wondered why that was a step in certain recipes...it makes sense now!!
ReplyDeleteOh, that crust on your bread bowl is a killer.
ReplyDelete~ingrid
I'm hungry just looking at your photos! What a great tip! Thanks for passing it along.
ReplyDeleteVery beautiful breads! I recently discovered another way to make your bread shiny, on accident. I use a baking stone and throw a cup of water on the oven floor right after I put the bread in to create steam. Well, this time, my boyfriend opened the door with about 20 min. baking time left and all the steam escaped. So to give the bread some moisture back I sprayed it with water. It came out super shiny! It was a rye bread, btw, so this may not work with all breads.
ReplyDeleteWhat a yummy crust! I'd love to have one of these in my breakfast tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteI love the looks of those soup bowls. Very nice!
ReplyDeleteYum... Your bread looks beautiful! I was not aware of that trick to make the bread look so nice and shiny. I think I'll be making bread tomorrow, so I'll give it a try! Thanks :)
ReplyDelete