Apple And Maple Bread Pudding

• 6 large 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
• 1/2 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 loaf pain rustique, all crust trimmed, bread cut into 3/4- to 1-inch cubes (6 1/2 to 7 cups)
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 2 1/2 pounds Granny Smith 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

1. Whisk eggs, maple syrup, brown sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, 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.
2. Meanwhile, position rack in bottom third of oven and preheat to 350u0b0F. Generously butter 9x5-inch glass or ceramic loaf pan with at least 3-inch-high sides. Melt 3 tablespoons butter in large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add apple slices and saute 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.
3. Mix half of apple slices into breadcustard 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 rimmed baking sheet (to catch any spills during baking).
4. Bake bread pudding until puffed and cracked on top, apples are deep brown, and instant-read thermometer inserted into center of pudding registers 170u0b0F to 180u0b0F, about 1 hour 30 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. Spoon pudding into bowls and serve warm or at room temperature.

eggs, maple syrup, brown sugar, vanilla, ground cinnamon, salt, milk, heavy whipping cream, apple brandy, rustique, unsalted butter, apples, maple syrup, brown sugar

Taken from www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/apple-and-maple-bread-pudding-356873 (may not work)