This new ALDI find for $24.99 is a game-changer – I use it all the time

It works wonders on much more than just bread.

As a bread lover and baker, I have long dreamed of owning a fancy bread oven in which I can bake my bread. At the same time, spending nearly $300 on a single-purpose kitchen appliance isn’t exactly among my “sensible adults” habits.

That’s why I almost dropped my sourdough starter when I saw that ALDI was selling the Crofton cast iron bread cloche. At just $24.99, it’s a fraction of the cost of its Le Creuset counterpart, which is (literally) twelve times more expensive.

I believe in investing in quality kitchen appliances, but if I can get the same results at a budget-friendly price, the math doesn’t add up for me. The price for the bread dome from ALDI was right, as they say, and I saw it as an opportunity to finally get one. So, for all my homemade bread lovers, this one is for you!

Why I love ALDI’s Crofton Bread Dome

The Crofton Bread Dome, like its more expensive counterpart, is made from sturdy enameled cast iron, meaning it retains heat exceptionally well. Its design helps create a perfect steam-filled environment from which bread dreams are made.

I christened it by baking my favorite sesame and semolina bread shortly after bringing it home and then trying a loaf of no-knead bread the next day. Every time I lifted the lid I was greeted with a deep golden, deliciously crispy crust and a spongy crumb with perfect chewiness. I’m going to make a smaller batch of focaccia in it tonight and can’t wait to see how it turns out.

While it may not be available in Le Creuset’s rainbow colors, there’s little else to differentiate it. The classic white or jewel green enamel surface of the ALDI dome looks elegant and timeless anyway. Plus, like any enameled cast iron cookware, it’s easier to keep clean since no seasoning is required!