Autumn Squash Soup

Many of you know that I'm obsessed with Panera Bread's Autumn squash soup! So yummy!! I've tried several recipes over the years and this is as close as I can get.  I've taken my favorite parts of several different recipes and mixed them together.  I think it comes pretty close! I've also adapted it for my freezer meal workshop too so make it and store it away for a busy night. Give it a try!

Autumn Squash Soup (Panera Bread Copy Cat)

Ingredients:

1 butternut squash (apx. 2 lbs.) Peeled and chopped into 1 in. cubes

1 small onion, diced

3 small carrots (or 2 large), chopped

1 golden delicious apple, chopped

3 tsp. chicken bouillion (if making vegetarian use vegetable base)

3 cups water (don't add to freezer meal until ready to cook)

2 cups apple juice or cider

½ tsp. curry powder

¼ tsp. cinnamon

½ cup pumpkin puree

¼ cup butter (cubed)

1 T. brown sugar (or more to taste)

Salt to taste

1 cup heavy cream (don't add to freezer meal until ready to serve)

Instructions:
Peel, core and chop butternut squash and place in a large stock pot. Chop onion, carrots, and apple and add them to the pot as well.  Add all remaining ingredients except for the heavy cream and bring to a boil.  Reduce heat to medium low and simmer for 20-30 minutes or until veggies are tender. 

Using an immersion blender- blend ingredients until smooth.  If you don’t have an immersion blender you can mash up ingredients as best you can with a potato masher and carefully place them in a regular blender until smooth. Stir in heavy cream.  Top with toasted pumpkin seeds or candied pecans if desired.

OR

Freezer Meal Instructions:

Peel, core and chop butternut squash and place in a gallon sized freezer bag. Chop onion, carrots, and apple and add them to the bag.  Add all other ingredients to the bag and seal.  Double bag and label.

When ready to serve, combine contents of bag with 3 cups of water in a large crock pot and cook on low for 8-9 hours or until veggies are all tender.  

 

Using an immersion blender- blend ingredients until smooth.  If you don’t have an immersion blender you can mash up ingredients as best you can with a potato masher and carefully place them in a regular blender until smooth. Stir in heavy cream. Top with toasted pumpkin seeds if desired