Sassafras
Sassafras Superstone La Cloche
Best artisan baker for home bread enthusiasts seeking professional crust results.
Elevate your home baking with the Sassafras Superstone La Cloche, a revolutionary bread dome that has been a favorite since 1983. This iconic baker replicates the conditions of a professional brick oven, allowing you to achieve a perfectly crisp crust and a wonderfully light crumb on your artisan loaves. Crafted from durable stoneware, it's ideal for sourdough and versatile enough for roasting vegetables and meats. The unglazed interior develops a unique patina over time, enhancing its baking performance. Simple to clean, it's an essential tool for any bread enthusiast.
$79.95
Owner Satisfaction
4.7
/ 5
Category Rank
83
/ 770
#83 in Bread Pans & Molds
Price vs Category Average
+79%
Above average
Material
Stoneware with Tangerine Glazed exterior
/ Stoneware with Tangerine Glazed exterior
Who it's for
- Home bakers seeking professional-grade crust and oven spring
- Bakers prioritizing consistent, even heat distribution for uniform loaves
- Enthusiasts wanting bakery-quality results without specialized steam equipment
Who should skip it
- Cooks with limited hand strength or concerns about breakage
- Bakers who prefer baking long baguettes or large specialty loaves
- Users who prefer the convenience of soap-and-water cleanup
Performance breakdown
Crust Development
Traps steam effectively to produce professional-grade, crackling artisan crusts.
Heat Retention
Heavy stoneware construction maintains consistent temperatures for superior oven spring.
Versatility
Transitions seamlessly from sourdough baking to roasting meats and vegetables.
Ease of Cleaning
Hand-wash only requirement demands extra care for the porous stoneware.
Build Quality
Durable, iconic design built to last through years of frequent baking.
Handling Ergonomics
Integrated handle is functional but requires caution due to significant weight.
Key Specs
Material
Stoneware with Tangerine Glazed exterior
Capacity
1-2 lb loaf
Overall Exterior Dimensions
12” Diameter x 8.5” Height with Handle
Interior Base Dimensions
10.5” Diameter x 1.5” Height
Interior Dome Dimensions
10.25” Diameter x 5” Height
Weight
8.00 lbs
Oven Safe Temperature
500°F
Warranty
1 Year Limited Warranty
Features
- Mimics professional brick oven baking
- Creates crusty, golden bread
- Traps moisture for even cooking
- Unglazed interior promotes light crumb
- Versatile for roasting meats and vegetables
- Oven and freezer safe
- Base doubles as pie/pizza plate
- Heats evenly for perfect browning
What customers say
Home bakers overwhelmingly praise the Sassafras Superstone La Cloche for consistently delivering professional quality bread. Its unique design excels at trapping steam, creating the perfect crisp crust while ensuring a moist, airy interior for sourdough and artisan loaves. Users highlight the robust Superstone material for its exceptional heat retention and distribution, leading to remarkably even baking results every time. Despite its weight, bakers find it easy to incorporate, simplifying the process of achieving superior rise and texture. The consensus is that this indispensable tool significantly elevates home baking, making the investment worthwhile for those seeking bakery quality results.
Know before you buy
The stoneware material absorbs and radiates heat evenly, while the dome shape traps steam released from the dough during the initial baking phase. This combination creates a humid environment that allows the bread to rise fully before the crust sets, resulting in a professional-quality, crispy exterior.
Yes, the base is designed to be multifunctional. You can use it as a standalone plate for baking pizzas, pies, or roasting vegetables and meats.
No, this baker is not dishwasher safe. Because it is made of natural stoneware, you should clean it by hand using hot water and a stiff brush; avoid using soap, as the porous material can absorb the scent and flavor of detergents.
The La Cloche is oven safe up to 500°F. It is important to avoid extreme temperature shocks, such as moving it directly from a freezer to a preheated oven, to prevent the stoneware from cracking.
The unglazed interior is designed to develop a natural patina over time, which actually improves its non-stick properties and baking performance. Simply wipe it clean after use and ensure it is completely dry before storing it with the lid on.
The La Cloche is sized to accommodate a standard 1 to 2-pound loaf. Its interior dimensions provide enough clearance for a typical artisan sourdough boule to rise without touching the sides of the dome.
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