Description
A creamy, slightly sweet butternut squash and pumpkin soup inspired by Panera’s seasonal favorite. Infused with warm spices, apple, and a touch of cream for a cozy bowl of autumn comfort.
Ingredients
Produce:
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 carrots, peeled and diced
- 3 cups butternut squash, peeled and cubed
- 1 medium apple, peeled and diced (Honeycrisp or Gala work well)
Liquids:
- 3 cups vegetable broth (or chicken broth)
- 1 cup pumpkin purée (canned or fresh)
- 1/2 cup apple juice (or cider)
Spices:
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/4 tsp ground ginger
- 1/4 tsp curry powder (optional, for depth)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Dairy & Sweeteners:
- 1 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half for lighter)
- 2 tbsp honey or brown sugar (adjust to taste)
Garnish:
- Pumpkin seeds (pepitas), for garnish
Instructions
- In a large pot, heat olive oil or butter over medium heat. Sauté onion and carrots until softened. Add butternut squash, apple, and broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 20–25 minutes until squash is tender.
- Stir in pumpkin purée, apple juice, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, curry powder (if using), salt, and pepper. Simmer 5 more minutes.
- Remove from heat and blend soup with an immersion blender (or in batches with a regular blender) until smooth and creamy.
- Return to pot, stir in cream and honey/brown sugar. Adjust seasoning to taste.
- Serve hot, garnished with pumpkin seeds.
Notes
- For a vegan version, use coconut cream instead of dairy cream and maple syrup instead of honey.
- Add a roasted red pepper for extra depth and smokiness.
- Soup thickens as it sits; thin with a splash of broth or water when reheating.
- Freezes well for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Soup, Main Dish
- Method: Simmering, Blending
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 55mg