Cracked Caramel Pumpkin Pie

1/2 (15 ounce) package refrigerated pie crusts
1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin
2 cups whipping cream, divided
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
2 egg yolks, lightly beaten
1/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
3 tablespoons water
3 tablespoons corn syrup
1/3 cup sugar


Fit piecrust into a 9-inch pie plate according to package directions; fold edges under, and crimp.

Cook milk in a medium-size heavy saucepan over medium-high heat, stirring constantly, 10 minutes or until thickened and bubbly. Remove from heat; stir in pumpkin.

Stir in 1 cup whipping cream and next 4 ingredients until smooth. Pour into crust.

Bake at 350° on bottom oven rack for 40 minutes. Cool completely on a wire rack. Chill 8 hours.

Cook 3 tablespoons water, corn syrup, and sugar in a small saucepan over medium heat, without stirring, until a candy thermometer registers 300° (hard-crack stage). Pour immediately over pie, and quickly spread mixture with a metal spatula. Let stand 2 hours before serving. Tap hard sugar topping with back of a spoon to crack.

Beat remaining 1 cup whipping cream at medium speed with an electric mixer until soft peaks form. Serve with pie.