Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease the 9x13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter to prevent sticking.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cubed bread and chopped pecans, mixing them together gently.
In another bowl, whisk together the eggs, whole milk, heavy cream, brown sugar, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, and salt until well combined. If you’re using maple syrup, add it to this mixture as well.
Pour the custard mixture over the bread and pecans, ensuring that all the bread is soaked. Allow it to sit for 10-15 minutes so the bread absorbs the liquid.
After the bread has soaked, give it a gentle stir to evenly distribute the ingredients.
Pour the mixture into the greased baking dish and spread it evenly.
Bake in the preheated oven for 40-45 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and a knife inserted into the center comes out clean.
Remove the bread pudding from the oven and let it cool for at least 10 minutes before serving.
Serve warm, optionally topped with whipped cream, ice cream, or a drizzle of caramel sauce for added indulgence.