Mason Cash Bread Baking Set

You know I love bread, right?

So I was pretty sure I'd like the bread baking set from Mason Cash. It includes a large bowl that's used for mixing and rising, and a lid for the bowl that doubles as a baking stone. So it's two pieces with three uses.

Or, depending on how you use the bowl, it might have other functions. Like, you can use it for mixing the dough, then use the bowl to let the bread rise, then shape the dough and put in on the lid for the final rise while the upside-down bowl functions as a lid,

Yes, it's a bowl and a lid, too.

It's also a really nice bowl for other things, like fruit or for serving large quantities of mashed potatoes.

I took it for a test drive with bread (of course) after seasoning the lid/baking stone piece according to the instructions. The bowl doesn't need seasoning, since it's completely glazed. But the lid does need seasoning because it's unglazed clay. I also used cornmeal under the bread to keep it from sticking.

The result? I kind of love this! It's big enough for a big lump of dough, and the fact that the lid doubles as the baking stone makes it even more useful

Speaking of that lid - it's the perfect size for pizza.

Who's it for: People who love baking bread or who have other uses for a large bowl plus a baking stone.

Pros: It works just like it's supposed to, and it looks attractive.

Cons: It's a bit pricey, but good baking stones aren't cheap. Plus you get a bowl.

Wishes: I wish there were little handles on the bowl to make it easier to move when it's upside down on the baking stone lid. But that's a small wish. I was able to lift it, but the handles would just make it easier.

Source: I received this from the manufacturer for the purpose of a review.

Note: I was so anxious to test this, I just threw together a loaf of bread and didn't measure or time it well enough to write up a recipe. I'll do that later, I promise!

Salton Easy Bread

If your pod-style coffee maker and your bread machine romanced each other, the result might be something like the Salton Easy Bread. It's a bread machine for people who want the easiest process possible.

It couldn't possibly be easier than this, unless your neighbor baked a loaf of bread and delivered it to you.

The concept is just like coffee machines, where you have your pre-measured coffee in a capsule or pod.

But in this case, you have capsules that contain bread ingredients - flour, yeast, salt, flavors - that you insert into the machine.

The machine pierces the capsule and the ingredients fall into the machine's mixing/baking bowl. There's a water container at the back of the machine - just like on your coffee machine - and it dispenses measured water into the bowl.

Buttons on the front of the machine let you select a few basic things - like whether you want a light, dark, or medium crust - but other than that, it's all pretty automatic. When the bread is done, you open a tray in front, remove the bowl, and flip the bread out. Just like a regular bread machine.

There are quite a few different types of bread mixes available, ranging from a basic loaf to one that's super-seedy and rustic. I've tried most of them, and they're all good.

The loaves aren't as large as my other bread machine, but that's really not a problem. These are easy enough to make that folks could make a new loaf every day, if they wanted to.

Who's it for: People who want a really easy way to bake bread.

Pros: Easy. Very easy.

Cons: While there are a number of different types of bread, it's not infinite.

Wishes: Make-your-own pods would be awesome. I could assemble my own recipes, store them, and when I want to bake it would just be really simple.

Source: I received this from the manufacturer for the purpose of a review.