9 slices firm white bread, cut in half
2 c. light cream
1/2 c. sugar
1/2 c. water
1/2 tsp. vanilla
6 med. tart apples, peeled, cored, sliced
2 eggs
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp. ground cardamom
2 tbsp. butter

Place bread slices in single layer in shallow pan. Evenly drizzle 1/2 cup light cream over bread. In a medium saucepan mix sugar and water, bringing to a boil. Cover. Reduce heat and simmer 5 minutes. Remove from heat. Stir in vanilla. Return to medium heat. Add 1/3 apple slices and simmer each portion 3 minutes. Remove with slotted spoon. Reserve syrup. When all apples are poached, line in a buttered 2 1/2 quart baking dish with about 1/3 of the bread slices. Top with half the poached apples. Make a layer of bread and cover with remaining apples. Cover with rest of bread.

Beat eggs slightly; mix in cinnamon and cardamom, then remaining 1 1/2 cups cream and sugar syrup from poached 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.