Is the dough firm enough to braid and then bake free-form without a loaf pan? It looks wonderful and very much like a parmesan-cracked pepper loaf I recently purchased for the price of a small country. I never buy store bread, but somehow the fragrance of the loaf got to me! :p Go for it! It may spread sideways a little, but should basically hold its shape. You can even braid it and twist it into a round shape. The pan makes the bread perfect for slicing and sandwiches.

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