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If you want to bake sourdough bread in a clay baker then this is the post you're looking for! I noticed that so many people have been finding these beautiful clay pots and baking dishes in thrift stores lately and don't know what to do with them. So I've put this post together just for you!
What is a Clay Baker or Clay Pot?
The clay baker I'm referring to is a terracotta baking pan with a tight fitting lid. They are generally unglazed. You will often see these referred to as Rompertopf or Sassafras because these are the brand names of companies that make these clay bakers.
They are often found for a few dollars in thrift stores and many people buy them with the purpose of using them to bake sourdough. But once they get home they are worried they are going to do something wrong, so they put it at the back of the cupboard and forget about it!
I was recently walking through Aldi and spotted a gorgeous clay baking dish and decided I would buy it and make some sourdough bread in it so I can help other people who might not know how to do it! The thrift stores aren't very good where I live, but you can always rely on Aldi!
I'm here to tell you that it makes a lovely loaf of sourdough so go and grab yours and let's get baking!
What Are the Benefits of Using a Clay Pot for Baking Sourdough Bread?
- OVEN SPRING - The moisture in the terracotta holds steam around the sourdough as it bakes, ensuring you get a nice expansion on the dough. This oven spring results in a lovely open, lacy crumb.
- GOLDEN CRUST - The steam helps to form the most gorgeous golden crust. You will need some lid off time at the end of the bake to ensure it crusts up.
- BUDGET FRIENDLY - A clay baker found at a thrift store is a really budget friendly way to bake sourdough bread, especially if you don't already have a cast iron Dutch oven.
- CAN USE TO STORE SOURDOUGH ONCE BAKED - Once cooled, you can store your loaf of sourdough bread in the clay pot, even once it's cut and it will stay fresh for a few days. It prevents mold by allowing the bread to breathe, but keeping it sufficiently moist at the same time.
Are There Any Downsides To Using a Clay Pot for Baking Sourdough Bread?
- SOAKING BEFORE PREHEATING - This isn't necessarily a downside, but soaking the pot before preheating is more time consuming than preheating a cast iron pot.
- RISK OF THERMAL SHOCK - Clay pots can be at risk of thermal shock if placed in a hot oven or if you have the oven too hot. They can shatter and crack if not treated correctly.
- NOT AS VERSATILE AS DUTCH OVEN - While you can roast meat and vegetables in the clay pot, it's not able to be used on the stove top or for as many applications as a Dutch Oven.
What Sourdough Bread Recipe to Use?
I've used my simple sourdough bread recipe when testing sourdough bread making in a clay baker. It's the perfect size to fit a standard loaf of sourdough bread (made with 500g of flour).
Other sourdough bread recipes that will work well with this style of baking pot are:
- Overnight Sourdough Bread
- High Hydration Sourdough Bread Recipe
- Small Batch Sourdough Bread
Important Precautions for Baking with Terracotta Dishes
Terracotta baking dishes are fairly fragile (as opposed to cast iron Dutch Ovens) so you do need to take care when using them to bake sourdough bread. One of the most important things you can do is to read the manufacturer's recommendations and instructions.
This can be tricky though if you found your clay baker at the thrift store! So here are few things to take caution with if you are you going to use your clay dish for baking sourdough:
- Always soak your terracotta baking dish before using it in the oven.
- Do not put a cold baking dish into a hot oven as this can cause thermal shock which may lead to shattering or cracking of the terracotta.
- Once soaked, dry your baker with a towel to remove excess water and place into a cold oven. Once the clay baker is in the oven, then turn it on to preheat so that the baker can gradually warm up with the oven.
- Do not use a clay baking pot above 220C (428F). You can still bake great sourdough at these temperatures if you follow my recommendations.
How To Bake Sourdough Bread in a Clay Baking Pot
Firstly, you need to prepare your sourdough bread recipe and allow the dough to cold ferment in the fridge in a banneton (or banneton alternative). For this demonstration, I prepared one loaf of my simple sourdough bread recipe.
When you are ready to bake your sourdough bread, soak your clay baking pot, fully immersed, for around 30 minutes.
Once you're ready to bake, dry off the excess water with a towel and place into your oven. Turn the oven on (no more than 220C (428F) and allow the pot to preheat inside the oven.
Once your oven is at temperature, tip your sourdough loaf out onto a piece of parchment paper and score.
Carefully take your preheated pot out of the oven and use the parchment paper to transfer the sourdough into the pot (leaving it on the parchment paper). Place the lid onto the clay baker and place it back into the oven.
Bake the sourdough at 220C (428F) for 40 minutes covered and then for a further 15 minutes at 210C (410F) or until the sourdough bread is cooked to your liking.
Once golden brown and cooked through, remove the bread from the oven and allow it to cool on a cooling rack. Leave the clay baker in the oven to cool down gradually with the oven (I find this helps stop it cracking).
Do You Have To Do The Cold Bake Method When Using Terracotta?
No, not necessarily. You can use the cold oven bake if you want to, but as long as your terracotta dish is soaked properly and preheated with the oven (following recommended guidelines), it should be fine. You can read more about the cold bake sourdough method here.
