Cloth Bread Basket

If you want perfectly shaped bread loaves with a satin-smooth finish every time, then you need to get yourself a cloth bread basket!

At Acovia Design, we love these proofing aids, and today we’ll be showing you why your kitchen urgently needs one.

Why Use a Cloth Bread Basket?

Have you ever seen those perfectly shaped, rounded loaves of bread? It’s not just years of experience that allows artisan bakers to shape their bread like that. 

Their secret is a bread basket with cloth! Also known as a proofing basket or banneton, cloth baskets are available in any shape or size. 

An artisan baker will place their dough in a cloth bread basket. As the gluten relaxes, the dough will gradually take the shape of your basket. 

Doing this gives your bread that distinctive and enticing shape that’s instantly recognizable.

Using a cloth basket is also a pretty straightforward procedure.

How To Create The Perfect Loaves With Cloth Bread Baskets

To create a perfectly shaped loaf, first, generously sprinkle your bread basket’s cloth lining with flour. Cover the entire cloth lining before shaking off any excess.

Now, make your bread like you usually would. However, instead of proofing it on the countertop, gently dust the surface of your loaf with flour.

Pick your shaped, proofed dough up and place it upside down inside the cloth bread basket. The bottom of your loaf will be on top.

When it’s time to bake your loaf, grab some baker’s parchment. Lightly sprinkle cornmeal or flour over the parchment. 

Next, take your proofed dough and gently sprinkle some more flour or cornmeal over it. After you’ve sprinkled it, take your proofed dough and place it on the parchment the right way up. 

Sometimes, especially when working with a delicate dough that doesn’t rise as much, you may need to support the dough with one hand when placing it onto the parchment.

Never let the dough flop down hard on the parchment. Otherwise, it’ll flatten and lose that beautiful shape you’ve been working so hard to get.

Now you can cut or slash the top to create a signature finish to your loaf of bread. The last step is to bake the loaf like you usually would.

Remember, you don’t bake your bread in the cloth basket. You only use the basket for shaping the bread during the proofing process.

Take it and dust it off when you don’t need your cloth anymore. From there, store it in a cool, dry place until the next time you need to use it. 

If you absolutely must wash your basket, never use scented soaps or harsh chemicals, as this can leave your bread with a nasty aftertaste.

Get In Touch For Bread Baskets With Cloth

At Acovia Design, we’ve been manufacturing cloth bread baskets for over 15 years. We’ve mastered the art of creating them in various shapes and sizes. 

If you’ve got a particular cloth bread basket in mind, get in touch with us. We’ll help you find the perfect solution!