- Nonstick vegetable oil spray
- 1 cup (packed) golden brown sugar
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/3 cup half and half
- 1 1/2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 12/3 cups pecan halves (about 6 ounces)
- 2 cups chilled heavy whipping cream
- 1 8-ounce container chilled mascarpone cheese
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 15-ounce can pure pumpkin
- 1/2 cup (packed) golden brown sugar
- 1/4 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 3-ounce packages soft ladyfingers
- 4 1/2 tablespoons dark rum, divided
- Spray baking sheet with nonstick spray. Bring both sugars and half and half to boil in heavy medium saucepan over mediumhigh heat, whisking to dissolve sugar. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer 5 minutes, whisking constantly. Add butter, vanilla, and salt. Attach candy thermometer to pan. Simmer without stirring until temperature registers 260°F, about 8 minutes. Remove from heat; immediately mix in pecans. Transfer to prepared sheet, spreading in single layer. Cool completely. Chop into 1/4-inch pieces.
- Using electric mixer, beat all ingredients in large bowl until firm peaks form. Set aside 1/2 cup mascarpone cream for pumpkin filling.
- Whisk pumpkin, brown sugar, cream, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and salt in large bowl to blend. Whisk in reserved 1/2 cup mascarpone cream.
- Spread 1/3 cup mascarpone cream over bottom of 8×5-inch trifle dish (12-to 14-cup capacity). Place layer of ladyfingers over cream in bottom of dish (about half of 3-ounce package). Sprinkle 1 1/2 tablespoons rum over. Spread 1/2 cup pumpkin filling over ladyfingers, spreading to edges. Sprinkle 1/3 cup praline over. Spread 1 cup mascarpone cream over. Cover with another layer of ladyfingers. Sprinkle with 11/2 tablespoons rum, then spread 1 cup pumpkin filling over. Sprinkle 1/2 cup praline over. Repeat 1 more time with 1 cup mascarpone cream, ladyfingers, 1 1/2 tablespoons rum, 1 cup pumpkin filling, and 1/2 cup praline. Spread remaining mascarpone cream over. Cover and chill overnight. DO AHEAD: Can be made 2 days ahead. Keep chilled.
- Uncover trifle. Sprinkle 1 cup praline decoratively over top (reserve any remaining praline for another use).
- An Italian cream cheese; sold at many supermarkets and at Italian markets.
- Available in the bakery or bread section of some supermarkets and at specialty foods stores.