Abstract: A baking pan includes a lower pan part having a respective periphery and at least one raised area spaced from that periphery. The pan further includes an upper pan part having a respective periphery, the upper pan being removably connected to the lower pan part about the periphery of the upper pan part. This pan is utilizable in a cooking method including a dough proofing stage and a baking process. The baking process in turn incorporates a first cycle of baking and steaming and a second cycle of baking only. The baking pan has a water-receiving internal chamber and a proofing and cooking chamber communicating with the internal chamber via one or more perforations in an upper surface of the baking pan. The proofing and cooking chamber is formed by a cover or lid placed over the upper surface of the baking pan.