Heat the oven to 350°F.
Lay the pecans on a baking sheet, lined with parchment paper. Bake in the oven for 10 minutes. Remove and allow to cool before chopping.
1 Cup Pecan Halves
Cut the stale French Bread into 1" cubes, then set aside.
1 Each French Bread
To a medium mixing bowl, add the sugar, apple pie spice and salt and mix well with a whisk. Set aside.
1-½ Cups Granulated Sugar, 2 teaspoons Apple Pie Spice, 1 Pinch Salt
Add the 6 eggs to the bowl of a stand mixer (or use a hand mixer if you don't have one). Beat for 1 minute with the wire whip.
6 Each Large Eggs
Add the heavy cream, evaporated milk, condensed milk, vanilla and melted butter (cooled) and beat again for 1 minute.
1 Quart Heavy Whipping Cream, 1 (14 Ounce) Can Sweetened Condensed Milk, 1 (12 Ounce) Can Evaporated Milk, 8 Tablespoons Unsalted Butter, 2 teaspoons Vanilla Extract
Add the spiced sugar and beat again for 1 minute.
To a 13x9" baking dish that has been well greased with butter, lay the bread cubes evenly. Sprinkle the chopped toasted pecans.
Pour the milk and sugar mixture all over the top of the bread, then press down with the back of a spoon.
Turn the oven to 300°F, allowing the bread to soak up the milk mixture for 10 minutes while it cools.
Press down again with a spoon, then cover the baking dish with aluminum foil. Bake in the oven for 1-½ Hours.
Remove the foil, then bake uncovered for a further 30 minutes.
While the last baking is happening you can start making the rum sauce. Add the butter, sugar, half and half and the lightly beaten egg yolks to a small saucepan. Apply medium heat, stirring.
8 Tablespoons Unsalted Butter, ¾ Cup Half and Half, 1 Cup Granulated Sugar, 2 Each Egg Yolks
Bring it to almost boiling, but do not let it boil.
Turn off the heat and pour in the rum. Give a good stir and cool down.
⅓ Cup Spiced Dark Rum
Remove the bread pudding from the oven and allow to sit 10 minutes before serving with some of the delicious rum sauce poured over the top.