5 from 3 votes
Plecovník Czech Sausage Bread
This is Plecovník—a savory Easter loaf from Czech Silesia filled with smoked meat and sausages. Warm, rich, and comforting, it's making a well-deserved comeback. I cannot wait to share the recipe with you!
Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
50 mins
Additional Time
2 hrs
Total Time
3 hrs 5 mins
Servings:
1
loaf
Calories:
3625 kcal
Course:
Bread
Cuisine:
Czech
Ingredients
- 3 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons instant yeast
- ⅛ teaspoon granulated sugar
- ½ cup water
- 1 cup beer
- 1 ¼ pound sausages
- 1 ¼ pound smoked pork belly
For bread wash:
- 1 clove garlic
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ cup water
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, combine 3 ¾ cups all-purpose flour, 2 teaspoons instant yeast, and ⅛ teaspoon granulated sugar. In a separate container, mix 1 cup beer and ½ cup water, then warm to 110–115°F (38°C). Pour the liquid into the flour mixture and transfer to the bowl of a stand mixer.
- Mix at low speed until the dough comes together, then knead at medium-high speed for about 8 minutes until elastic and slightly sticky. Transfer the dough to a clean bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1.5 hours.
- Meanwhile, take 1 ¼ pound sausages, smoke pork belly or other meat out of the fridge, cut the meat into smaller pieces, and let it come to room temperature. Crush 1 clove garlic and mix it with 1 teaspoon salt and ½ cup water.
- Lightly dust a baking sheet with flour. Generously flour your work surface, turn out the dough on it, and using your fingers, stretch it into a rectangle, with the long side matching your baking sheet.
- Arrange the sausages and meat on the dough, aligning the sausages along the long edge. Roll the dough into a log, pinch the seam, and tuck in the ends. Place seam-side down on the floured baking sheet and let rise for 30 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 450 °F. Bake for 15 minutes, then brush with the garlic water. Reduce the heat to 350 °F and bake for another 35 minutes.
- Brush the baked loaf with garlic water again. Cool completely on a wire rack before slicing.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- SERVING:
- The basic recipe makes 1 loaf, app. 12 slices.
- Plecovník is a festive bread from the Hlučín region, once tied to Easter but still popular today—especially among younger cooks who cherish it as a regional tradition.
- SERVING: Slice the cooled loaf to reveal the tasty surprise inside! Serve it pre-sliced on a plate or cut fresh portions as needed.
- STORAGE: Since Plecovník contains meat, store it wrapped in plastic in the fridge for up to five days. It also freezes well—just cool, bag, and freeze within a day. Use within three months for best flavor.
Nutrition Information
Calories
3625kcal
(181%)
Carbohydrates
394g
(131%)
Protein
129g
(258%)
Fat
157g
(242%)
Saturated Fat
53g
(265%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
18g
(106%)
Monounsaturated Fat
71g
(355%)
Cholesterol
403mg
(134%)
Sodium
7177mg
(299%)
Potassium
1887mg
(40%)
Fiber
19g
(76%)
Sugar
2g
(4%)
Vitamin A
0.3IU
(0%)
Vitamin C
1mg
(1%)
Calcium
142mg
(14%)
Iron
28mg
(156%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 1 loaf
Amount Per Serving
Calories 3625
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 3625kcal | 181% |
| Carbohydrates | 394g | 131% |
| Protein | 129g | 258% |
| Fat | 157g | 242% |
| Saturated Fat | 53g | 265% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 18g | 106% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 71g | 355% |
| Cholesterol | 403mg | 134% |
| Sodium | 7177mg | 299% |
| Potassium | 1887mg | 40% |
| Fiber | 19g | 76% |
| Sugar | 2g | 4% |
| Vitamin A | 0.3IU | 0% |
| Vitamin C | 1mg | 1% |
| Calcium | 142mg | 14% |
| Iron | 28mg | 156% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.