Bread Pudding with Apple and Brown Sugared Bacon

Name: Bread Pudding with Apple and Brown Sugared Bacon
Ingredients: For the brown sugared bacon, to be made on the day of serving:; 1/2 cup light brown sugar; 6 slices bacon; For the pudding, to be made the night before:; 5 cups cubed Italian or French bread (stale works well here); 1 medium apple, peeled, cored and cut into a fine dice; 2 tablespoons butter; 4 eggs, beaten; 1 cup whole milk; 1 cup half-and-half; 1/4 cup granulated sugar; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 8 to 10 gratings of nutmeg; 1/4 teaspoon salt; Brown sugared bacon; Maple syrup, for serving (optional)