Product Description

Our Superstone La Cloche Bread Baker utilizes the steam generated by the moist dough within the bell, resulting in a delicious bread with a crackly , golden crust and light crumb. Roasts, chickens and fish bake as the flavors of the natural juices circulate within the dome, thus preserving moisture and reducing shrinkage. 11"D x 2"H.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #5667 in Kitchen & Housewares
• Brand: Sassafras
• Model: 1005
• Released on: 2004-03-08
• Dimensions: 6.00" h x 11.00" w x 11.00" l, 9.00 pounds

Features

• Use to bake light, crusty breads and moist fish and meats
• Fits in standard-size oven with upper racks removed
• Superstone natural stoneware
• Soak in warm water, scrape off food with a wire brush or pad
• Unique dome top and material create even circulation of heat

Customer Reviews

La Cloche
I had wanted one of these baking dishes ever since I read about them in Carol Field's book THE ITALIAN BAKER. My wife and I received one as a wedding present and I have now baked bread in it multiple times. It does indeed make a difference in the texture of the crust. After years of experimenting I had never been able to achieve that especially crisp crust that you get from a bakery, until now. Another plus is that the dough's final rise inside the covered dish obviates the need for plastic wrap. I lately have purchased the rectangular "baguette" version of La Cloche at an outlet store, and have found it to be a more practical shape for day to day baking. The original bell-shaped La Cloche is great, however, for making large, round hearth loaves or a cluster or dinner rolls.

I'm The Baker
I love to bake. I really love to bake bread. My specialty is sourdough. So now I have 3 strikes against me, that is, until I found La Cloche.

Although it can be used to cook meats, I personally only use it for bread. La Cloche turns your regular oven into a brick oven, and the quality of your bread will amaze you. It browns beautifully, has a crispy, chewy crust that seems to carmelize the sugars in the crust differently. There is no need to spray water or create steam in the oven, because the steam is created inside La Cloche by the bread itself. So actually bread making is more simple and safe because you are not spraying water into a 500 degree oven.

There are 2 shapes, a french bread style and round oven hearth style. I have both and pop them into the oven at the same time, so I am baking 2 loaves of bread at once, which is a little more economical.

Truly, I wish I had this from the beginning of my baking attempts. If you are a baker or love one, go ahead and spring for it. You will never regret this kitchen tool. All my other bread pans are now unused.

Guaranteed to Arrive Damaged
I ordered this item because of the rave reviews. Unfortunately, it is highly fragile and the manufacturer has done a TERRIBLE job of packaging the product, especially the bottom piece. My first order arrived with the bottom piece in a million pieces, as did the second, as did the third.

Amazon has been VERY good about refunding my money. However, until either the manufacturer or Amazon addresses the packaging issue, it's not worth your time ordering, as it will arrive damaged.