Emile HenryItalian Bread Loaf Baker | Burgundy

I bought this bread loaf baker specifically because I wanted to make loaves instead of sourdough rounds all the time. For reference I usually make sourdough bread in either my Staub or Lodge dutch ovens and this was my first time making bread in a ceramic baker. After reading the EH instructions and seeing a few youtube videos, I gave it a try. I used the same multi-seed recipe I normally do for a boule I bake in my Staub, so it didn't fill out the EH baker, which is a bit larger.I preheated the loaf baker at 485 F (since ceramic generally heats up faster than cast iron) and then once I took it out, I just tipped my bread into it directly from the loaf-shaped proofing basket without greasing the baker or putting in some flour beforehand. I scored my bread, gave it a healthy spritz of water on and around the loaf, sealed it and baked it at 450 F for 25 min, before uncovering and baking for an additional 25 min. It came out perfect - crispy, chewy thin crust with a spongy and soft interior.If I were to double my recipe, I'm sure I would get better height, but I like the smaller size. I was also pleased that I had no need for parchment paper or greasing the baker. My bread just popped right out when I tipped it over and the baker stayed relatively clean. The additinal bonus is that the loaf baker is light, so for those who find enameled and cast iron ovens too heavy, this is an excellent alternative. Also, it cools down much quicker than cast iron and it looks pretty set out on my kitchen hutch. This is made in France so the enamel and craftsmanship is quality and it feels like it will last a long time. I highly recommend this to those who enjoy home baking and would like sandwich-stylebread!

Emile makes great products and this is definitely one on them. I recommend this brand and style for bread baking. Great durable surfaces that maintain luster after many baking projects.

This pan is huge. I didn't like the bread using the recipe that came with the pan - it was too dense. The version below uses sourdough and has a higher hydration.Using a standard 100% hydration sourdough starter.1) Mix all the ingredients roughly and leave for 30 minutes in the Kitchenaid bowl.2) Knead for 5-8 minutes. Let rise in the Kitchenaid bowl for an hour.3) Divide the dough into two and knead each piece for five minutes using the mixer. The dough will come together nicely.4) Place all the dough in a large bowl. Allow to rise for half an hour, then transfer the dough to the ceramic baking pan. The dough will be quite wet, so line the pan with parchment (or it could be oiled and floured). I suppose one could skip the resting in a large bowl and simply transfer to the baking pan.5) Preheat the oven. Leave to rise in the baking pan for about an hour. Use the poke test to check the rise.6) Bake the covered pan for 50 minutes in a preheated convection oven at 480. Remove the lid and bake five or ten more minutes to crisp the top.Whole-wheat 300gBread flour 500gStarter 400gWater 450gSalt 3 tspOil 2 tbsMolasses 2 tbsYeast 1 tsp% Hydration 65.00%Flour weight 1000Total weight 1650

APR UPDATE: Well I jumped the gun and believed the rep when she told me in February that they would send a replacement. Now it's April and still waiting, and they are ignoring my requests for status. I do not think I will ever get a new lid, and unfortunately will have to throw this expensive item in the trash. Buyer beware: You are out of luck if you need to file a warranty claim.FEB UPDATE: A rep from Emile Henry called me today and apologized for the delay in my warranty claim. They will be sending me a replacement lid. I am happy now and I revised my rating to 4.5, as I really do like their products.I always loved Emile Henry and purchased this in 2019 to add to my collection (I also have the cloche and baguette baker in the same red color). There is a 10 year warranty, the color is pretty and my breads get nice crispy crusts. I am only giving this 2 stars for now because after 3 years of bread baking I noticed a hairline crack in the lid. I submitted a warranty claim a month ago and after several emails and one phone call I am still waiting to hear back from them and am beginning to doubt if they will honor the warranty. If I get a resolution I will update this review.

Oh my God, this was perfect and even comes within an instructional baking book

In the last six months I have gone from never baking a loaf of bread to baking a sourdough loaf at least once a week. It is the only bread we eat. I started baking it a Dutch oven but decided to "bite the bullet" and invest in a loaf making vessel that was clay and isn't a "non-stick" material. LOVE IT and worth every penny of the investment!

The media could not be loaded. This bread pan looks so pretty but unfortunately it arrived broken due to poor packaging for shipping. Amazon Customer Service was nice to refund me my money. I want this pan so bad but afraid to buy a replacement because it might not make it again.

When I purchased this product I didn't realize how HUGE it was! I am experimenting with bread recipes and not getting the best results so far. It is BEAUTIFUL and I will continue to experiment until perfection!!

I bought the exact one my brother had because I wanted to bake a sourdough bread that looks like a normal loaf of bread, rather than the traditional round loaf. It works perfectly!

Le 09/03/2022Le colis de l'article EMILE HENRY pain de campagne grand cru livré par la Poste ce jour est cassé dans l'emballage?Très insatisfait

This bread bakers gives amazing results every time. It gets as close as you can to a bakers steam oven as you can in a domestic oven. Great crusty finish on all types of bread including sourdough. The easy to clean glaze on the baker is a boon. Highley recommended for that professional finish.

This bread baker is absolutely incredible! My sourdough used to turn out a bit flat, but when I started using this baker, it was like magic. Suddenly, my bread is bursting with life—light, fluffy, and perfectly risen! It’s built to last—heavy-duty and so well-made. I can’t imagine baking without it now. I’ve already told all my friends about it! Plus, it’s such great value for money. Considering how expensive sourdough is at the supermarket, I’ve more than recouped my investment three times over by baking at home!

I enjoyed trying out this Emile Henry Bread Baker. I had only ever made the boule shape of Artisan Bread in a round Dutch oven. I used parchment paper around the whole piece of dough, to make clean up easier, rather than greasing and flouring. It worked well. The first time I used it, however, I hadn't covered the top side well, so a piece of the top crust of the bread stuck to the lid, thus ruining the presentation of the loaf. It tasted just fine though, of course. The second time I used it, I cut a separate piece of parchment paper and molded it to the inside of the lid and that worked perfectly to avoid any sticking. I am very happy with this Bread Baker. So nice to be able to cut slices of bread for sandwiches from the regular Loaf shape.