Maple-Bacon Bread Pudding

• 1 pound thick-cut bacon
• Unsalted butter, for greasing
• 17 large eggs
• 1 cup creme fraiche
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1 vanilla bean, split and seeds scraped
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 3 3/4 cups half-and-half
• 3/4 cup pure maple syrup, plus more for serving
• 1 1/2 pounds brioche (3 small loaves), crusts discarded and loaves sliced 1 inch thick (see Note)
• Chopped toasted pecans, for serving

1. Preheat the oven to 350.
2. Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil and arrange the bacon on it in a single layer.
3. Bake the bacon for 25 to 30 minutes, until it is browned and nearly crisp.
4. Transfer the bacon to paper towels to drain and cool, then coarsely chop it.
5. Meanwhile, butter a 9-by-13-inch ceramic baking dish.
6. In a large bowl, beat the eggs with the creme fraiche, sugar, vanilla seeds and salt, then beat in the half-and-half and the 3/4 cup of maple syrup.
7. Layer half of the brioche slices in the prepared baking dish and sprinkle with half of the chopped bacon.
8. Repeat the layering with the remaining brioche and bacon.
9. Pour the custard over the brioche and gently press the bread into the custard.
10. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
11. Preheat the oven to 325.
12. Uncover the bread pudding and bake for about 1 hour 10 minutes, until puffed and the center is just set.
13. Let stand for 15 minutes.
14. Serve with chopped pecans and maple syrup.

bacon, butter, eggs, creme fraiche, sugar, vanilla bean, kosher salt, maple syrup, loaves, pecans

Taken from www.foodandwine.com/recipes/maple-bacon-bread-pudding (may not work)