Into a medium saucepan add the half and half, sage, rosemary, thyme, garlic, salt and pepper. Bring to a simmer over medium low heat, stirring occasionally. Simmer the mixture until reduced by about 1/4. (Don’t boil the cream mixture.)
In a medium skillet, melt the butter over medium heat and add the sliced apples. Sprinkle with the nutmeg and cook until the apples are tender, but not soft, about 3-5 minutes. Set aside.
In a medium bowl, whisk the eggs together, then in a slow steady stream, whisk in about ⅓ cup of the hot cream mixture. (This is to temper the eggs without scrambling them.) When the first 1/3 cup is fully incorporated, whisk in the remainder of the cream and herb mix until well combined.
Spray a medium casserole dish with vegetable spray. Layer 1/3 of the sweet potatoes in the bottom of the dish, overlapping each other. Sprinkle half of the apples over the sweet potatoes, followed by ⅓ of the bacon, ⅓ of the cheese and ⅓of the cream mixture. Continue with a layer of sweet potatoes, apples, bacon, cheese and cream. Finish with a final layer of potatoes, bacon, cheese, and the cream mixture.
Cover tightly with tin foil and bake for 40 minutes or until potatoes are tender.
Remove the foil and continue baking an additional 20-25 minutes or until golden brown and bubbly. Let rest ten minutes before serving.
Video
Notes
To bake bacon: Preheat oven to 400°. Place a baking rack over a sheet pan. Lay the bacon on top of the rack. Cook for 18-22 minutes, or until bacon is crispy. Remove from oven and set aside to cool.