- In a small bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Set aside. In a large mixing bowl, combine the milk, pumpkin, butter, sugar, salt, and pumpkin pie spice. 
- Beat in eggs and dissolved yeast mixture. Add 2 1/2 cups of flour and mix until just combined. Add the remaining 2 - 2 1/2 cups flour until dough is no longer sticky. 
- At this point either change to the kneading attachment on your mixer or turn onto floured surface; knead until dough is smooth and elastic, about 3-5 minutes. 
- Place dough in a bowl coated with cooking spray, turning once to coat entire surface of dough. Cover and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour or until doubled in size. 
- Meanwhile, make caramel by combining butter, heavy cream, brown sugar, corn syrup, and vanilla in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat and cook, continuously stirring, until caramel has reach 210-215 degrees F (about a minute after boiling). Pour half of caramel into a greased 10-inch fluted pan. Sprinkle half of the pecans over caramel. 
- Punch down dough and shape into 40 balls (about 1-inch diameter). In a small bowl, combine sugar, cinnamon, and pumpkin pie spice. 
- Place melted butter in another bowl. Roll balls in butter, then roll in sugar mixture. Place 20 balls in the pan over the caramel. Top with remaining caramel and pecans.  
- Roll remaining balls in butter and sugar and place over balls in tubed pan. Let stand for 20 minutes. 
- Place fluted pan on a baking sheet and bake at 350 degrees F for 30-35 minutes or until top is golden brown. Cool bread in the pan on a wired rack for 10 minutes before inverting onto a serving plate. Serve warm.