Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Baking Dish
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Generously grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray, ensuring complete coverage including the corners and sides.

Step 2: Prepare the Bread
If your bread is very fresh and soft, consider letting the cubes air-dry for about 30 minutes before assembling, or place them on a baking sheet in a 300°F oven for 10 minutes. This slight drying helps the bread better absorb the custard without becoming too soggy.

Step 3: Cook the Bacon to Perfection
If you haven’t already, cook your bacon until crispy using your preferred method. For optimal flavor and texture, thick-cut bacon works best in this recipe. Drain well on paper towels and crumble into small pieces once cooled.

Step 4: Create Your Maple Custard Base
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, maple syrup, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and salt until well combined and slightly frothy. The consistency should be smooth with no visible egg whites.

Step 5: Combine Bread and Custard
Add the cubed bread to the egg mixture, gently folding with a large spatula to ensure every piece is coated. Allow it to sit for about 10 minutes, occasionally pressing the bread down gently to encourage absorption. This brief soaking period is crucial—long enough to flavor the bread but short enough to maintain structure.

Step 6: Incorporate the Bacon
Fold in about three-quarters of the crumbled bacon, distributing it evenly throughout the soaked bread mixture. Reserve the remaining bacon for topping.

Step 7: Transfer to Baking Dish
Pour the entire mixture into your prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly. Pour any remaining custard from the bowl over the top, focusing on any dry-looking areas.

Step 8: Add Final Touches Before Baking
Sprinkle the reserved bacon on top of the casserole. For an extra-crispy, golden top, brush the surface lightly with 2 tablespoons of melted butter (optional).

Step 9: Bake to Golden Perfection
Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, or until the top is beautifully golden brown and a knife inserted in the center comes out clean with no wet custard clinging to it. If the top is browning too quickly, loosely cover with foil for the last 10 minutes.

Step 10: Rest and Serve
Allow the casserole to rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. This brief resting period allows the custard to set slightly for easier, cleaner serving. Drizzle individual portions with warm maple syrup just before serving.