When applied on the dough's surface, a honey wash will caramelize in the oven's heat and give a golden brown exterior and glossy crust, similar in function to egg wash.

However, due to the high sugar content of a honey wash, it can easily burn, become overly browned, or harden if kept in the oven for too long or baked with too much heat.

Honey acts as a finishing glaze, so it shouldn't be too thick or crystallized. Thin it out by microwaving it for about 30 seconds or melt it on low heat in a saucepan, if needed.

Once in liquid form, mix one tablespoon of honey (or more if you want a sweeter glaze) with two tablespoons of water, milk, or a plant-based milk alternative, and whisk to combine.

Apply honey wash in a thin, even layer using a pastry brush. For bakes requiring less time in an oven, apply honey wash to the surface, add toppings, and transfer to an oven.

For bakes that take longer or need heat higher than 350 degrees F, apply the honey wash during the last 10 to 15 minutes of baking to avoid burning or overly browning the sugar.