Cheddar and Bacon Strata Bread Cake

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spray an 8 or 9-inch springform pan with cooking spray. Set the pan on a baking sheet.
Dice bacon into 1 inch pieces. Place bacon in a large skillet , reserving 2 tablespoons of raw diced bacon for later. Fry the remaining bacon in the skillet over medium-high heat until crisp; drain on paper towel.
Cut bread into 1-inch cubes, transfer to a large mixing bowl.
Add the cooked bacon and 1-1/2 cups of the cheese to the mixing bowl with the bread.
In a medium bowl, whisk the milk and eggs until blended. Add the salt and pepper. Pour the mixture evenly over the bread, bacon and cheese. Using a spatula, fold the bread mixture over until most of the egg mixture is absorbed. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the bread to absorb all the egg mixture.
Pour the bread mixture into the prepared pan, then top with remaining 1/2 cup of cheddar cheese and raw bacon.
Cover the pan loosely with foil and bake for 30 minutes, until firm in the center when pushed.
Turn the oven broiler to High and broil until the cheese is melted and the bacon is crisp.
Remove from the oven and let cool for at least 10 minutes before removing outer ring of the pan.
Serve warm.