Maple & Apple Bread Pudding

Ingredients

Custard

6 large organic eggs
1/2 cup pure maple syrup (preferably Grade B)
1/2 cup (packed) dark brown sugar
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 tsp of WildCheff Pie Spice Blend
1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
1 cup whole milk
1 cup heavy whipping cream
2 tablespoons apple brandy (such as Applejack or Calvados)
1 1-pound rustic or French bread, cut into 3/4- to 1-inch cubes (6 1/2 to 7 cups)

Apples

3 Tbsp of unsalted butter
2 1/2 lbs McIntosh or Cortland apples (about 5), peeled, quartered, cored, cut into 1/3-inch-thick slices (about 7 cups)
1/4 cup pure maple syrup plus additional for brushing (preferably Grade B)
1/4 cup (packed) dark brown sugar

Directions

Custard

Whisk eggs, maple syrup, brown sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, Pie Spice Blend, and sea salt in large bowl. Add milk, cream, and brandy and whisk until well blended. Add bread cubes and press to submerge into custard. Let soak at least 30 minutes, occasionally pressing on bread cubes to submerge.

Apples

Meanwhile, position rack in bottom third of oven and preheat to 350°F. Generously butter a 9x5-inch glass or ceramic pan with at least 3-inch-high sides. Melt 3 tablespoons butter in large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add apple slices and sauté until deep golden and beginning to soften, stirring and turning apple slices frequently, 10 to 12 minutes. Stir in 1/4 cup maple syrup, then brown sugar. Simmer until sugar dissolves and mixture thickens to syrup, about 1 minute. Remove from heat. Mix half of apple slices into bread-custard mixture. Transfer bread pudding mixture to prepared pan. Arrange remaining apple slices atop bread pudding in 2 lengthwise rows. Spoon any remaining syrup from skillet over apple slices. Place loaf pan on baking sheet that has sides on it (to catch any spills during baking).Bake bread pudding until puffed and cracked on top, apples are deep-brown and instant-read thermometer inserted into center of pudding registers 170°F to 180°F, about 60-80 minutes (pudding will rise high above top of pan). Remove from oven and let rest at room temperature 45 minutes to 1 hour (pudding will fall). Brush apples on top of pudding with additional maple syrup. To serve, spoon pudding into bowls, and serve warm or at room temperature.