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Panera Autumn Squash Soup

Panera autumn squash soup made with butternut squash simmered until very tender, then blended smooth for a velvety orange texture. Finished with cream and cream cheese, plus a garnish of roasted pumpkin seeds for crunch.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Cuisine: American
Calories: 360
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Butter
  • 2 tbsp butter
Aromatics and vegetables
  • 1 onion medium, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 4 cup butternut squash peeled and cubed
  • 1 carrot chopped
Flavor base
  • 1 cup pumpkin puree
  • 1 cup apple cider
  • 3 cup vegetable broth
  • 2 tbsp honey
Spices and seasoning
  • 0.5 tsp curry powder
  • 0.25 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 0.25 tsp nutmeg
  • 1 tsp salt
Creamy finish
  • 0.5 cup heavy cream
  • 2 oz cream cheese
  • 1 roasted pumpkin seeds for garnish

Equipment

  • 1 Dutch oven

Method
 

Cook aromatics
  1. Melt the butter in a large pot over medium heat, then cook the diced onion for 5 minutes until soft.
  2. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute, stirring, until fragrant.
Simmer the soup
  1. Add the butternut squash, pumpkin puree, chopped carrot, apple cider, vegetable broth, honey, curry powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt to the pot.
  2. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 25-30 minutes until the squash is very tender.
Blend and finish
  1. Add the heavy cream and cream cheese, then blend until completely smooth.
  2. Simmer for 5 minutes and adjust seasoning to taste.
Serve
  1. Ladle the soup into bowls and top with roasted pumpkin seeds, then drizzle with a little extra cream.

Notes

Pro tip: Blend carefully while hot—if your blender needs a vent, work in batches to avoid pressure buildup. Store covered in the refrigerator up to 4 days; reheat gently on the stovetop, adding a splash of broth if it thickens. Freezing is not recommended because the dairy can separate after thawing. For a lighter option, use half-and-half and reduced-fat cream cheese for a similar creamy texture with less fat.