Kitchen Spotlight: Emile Henry Bakeware

In this week’s Kitchen Spotlight, I want to share my secret for perfectly browned quick breads, juicy meatloaf, and evenly cooked casseroles. Of course, the ingredients you use play a big part in your kitchen success, but the tools you use once you’re in the kitchen are equally important!! The only bakeware that I use in my kitchen these days is Emile Henry. The company has been making their amazing glazed ceramic cookware in the town of Marcigny in Burgundy, France, since 1850.

According to the company’s website, “Ceramic is by far the best material for successful cooking and baking! Only ceramic is able to diffuse the heat slowly and evenly, to create perfectly browned gratins, tasty lasagna, and succulent cakes.” Emile Henry’s signature glazed ceramic is indeed very versatile. Dishes can go from the freezer, to the oven, and then to the dishwasher…and the cookware is also microwave safe. Best of all, the shiny glaze doesn’t scratch, is chip resistant, and also acts as a natural non-stick surface. That means clean-up is a BREEZE!

My personal Emile Henry collection includes a loaf pan, an 8x8 square baker, a pie plate, and an oval gratin dish. The loaf pan makes quick breads that don’t stick and come out perfectly browned and evenly cooked every single time. The square baker is great for evenly cooked cakes, moist brownies with chewy edges, and small casseroles. The gratin dish is designed to make homemade au gratin potatoes, but I use it for a casserole dish with excellent results as well.

I can’t say enough good things about Emile Henry products…I LOVE mine!! If you’d like to add a piece or two of this heirloom cookware to your kitchen, you can find it at Williams-Sonoma, Sur la Table, and Crate & Barrel. Prices average from about $35 for the loaf pan to $70 for the 13x9 baker. In my experience, you can also find Emile Henry products deeply discounted throughout the year at Williams-Sonoma outlet stores. We like to give the following set as a wedding gift to friends and family: an Emile Henry loaf pan, a package of some yummy quick bread mix, a set of spoonulas, and a set of pretty dish towels.