9 slices firm, white bread, cut into halves
2 c. half & half (light cream)
1/2 c. sugar
1/2 c. water
1/2 tsp. vanilla
6 med. size tart apples, peeled, cored, sliced
2 eggs
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp. ground cardamom
2 tbsp. butter
Cream (optional)

Place bread slices in a single layer in a shallow pan. Evenly drizzle 1/2 cup of the half & half over bread.

In a medium saucepan, mix sugar and water, bring to boiling. Cover. Reduce heat and simmer 5 minutes. Remove from heat. Stir in vanilla. Return to medium heat. Add about 1/3 of the apple slices, and simmer each portion 3 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon. Reserve sugar syrup.

When all apples are poached, line a buttered shallow 2 1/2 quart baking dish with about 1/3 of the bread slices; top with half of the poached apples. Make a layer of another third of the bread. Cover evenly with remaining apples. Cover with the rest of the bread.

Beat eggs slightly; mix in cinnamon and cardamom. Then remaining 1 1/2 cups half & half and sugar syrup from poaching apples. Pour egg mixture evenly over bread. Dot with butter.

Bake at 350 degrees until top layer of bread is brown and crusty, about 1 hour. Serve hot or at room temperature with cream, if you wish.