Pumpkin Mousse Trifle

This is delicious and perfect for any holiday dinner! It's also pretty to look at. It's really easy especially if you buy an already made pumpkin spice pound cake. I found a delicious Paula Dean pumpkin spice pound cake at the Walmart bakery.

Pumpkin Mousse Trifle

      CAKE (You can skip this step and buy a pre-made pumpkin spice pound cake)

• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup canned pumpkin
• 1/3 cup canola oil
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

SUGARED PECANS

• 1 egg white
• 2 cups coarsely chopped pecans
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon

PUMPKIN MOUSSE

• 2 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened
• 1-1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
• 1 can (15 ounces) solid-pack pumpkin
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 carton (16 ounces) frozen whipped topping, thawed, divided

In a large bowl, beat the sugar, pumpkin, oil and eggs until well blended. Combine the flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt; gradually beat into pumpkin mixture until blended. 

Transfer to a greased and floured 9-in. square baking pan. Bake at 325° for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack. Cut cake into 3/4-in. cubes.

Meanwhile, whisk egg white; stir in pecans, cinnamon and sugars. Transfer to a foil-lined baking sheet. Bake at 350° for 9-13 minutes or until puffed, stirring once. Cool completely. 

In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and confectioners' sugar until smooth. Add the pumpkin, cinnamon and vanilla. Fold in 1-1/2 cups whipped topping. 

In a 3-1/2-qt. trifle bowl or glass serving bowl, layer half of the cake, pumpkin mousse, remaining whipped topping and pecans. Repeat layers. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours. Yield: 14 servings.