Round Bread Cloche

Dust the unglazed base with flour or line it with parchment paper. Place your shaped dough on the base and slash the top. Cover with the lid and bake in a preheated oven at 450°F for about 30–35 minutes. Remove the lid for the last 5–15 minutes to get a crispy, golden crust.

Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day +4

Preheating and Baking Methods

You can bake with your Emile Henry cloche in two distinct ways, both of which yield excellent results:

Preheated Method: Preheat your cloche in the oven at 450°F for 30 to 40 minutes. Carefully remove the lid, place your dough onto the hot base, cover, and bake. This replicates a professional stone oven and yields a great "oven spring."
Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day
Cold-Start Method: Alternatively, place your shaped dough onto the room-temperature base, cover with the lid, and place it directly into a cold oven. Turn the oven to 400°F and bake for roughly 45–50 minutes.
Priscilla Martel +4

Tips to Prevent Sticking

The unglazed base is porous and will develop a natural non-stick patina over time. For your first few uses, take these precautions:

King Arthur Baking

Lightly oil and dust the base with flour or cornmeal before placing your dough on it.
For easiest cleanup and guaranteed non-stick results, place a sheet of parchment paper under your loaf.
Breadtopia +3

Care and Maintenance

Thermal Shock: The Emile Henry ceramic is safe for both extreme cold (freezer) and hot temperatures (up to 500°F). However, never place a hot, empty cloche on a cold or wet surface, as this may cause it to crack.
Emile Henry USA +2
Cleaning: The base is dishwasher safe, but it is highly recommended to wash it by hand using warm, soapy water and a brush to prevent soap from soaking into the porous ceramic.