BUTTERNUT SQUASH SOUP (Panera Bread Copycat)

 BUTTERNUT SQUASH SOUP (PANERA COPY CAT)

https://www.rachelcooks.com/2015/10/21/copycat-panera-squash-soup-recipe-vegetarian/

Kambria told me she loves the squash soup from Panera Bread. Lisa said she really likes it to.  I went and got it one day and yum!  Decided to try and find a copy cat. I thought this was very good and tasted just like it.  I didn't add any additional salt (but did use salted butter) or brown sugar.   Scott drank all the whipping cream I had on hand so didn't try it with that.  Would have been really good.

1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

 1 small yellow onion, diced (about 3/4 cup)

 2 pounds chopped butternut squash (about 6 heaping cups)

 3 small carrots, chopped (about 1 cup)

 3-4 cups vegetable broth

 2 cups apple cider or apple juice (do NOT use apple cider vinegar)

 1/2 teaspoon curry powder

 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

 dash of nutmeg

 1/2 cup pumpkin puree

 2 tablespoons butter

 2 ounces low-fat (neufchatel) cream cheese

 1 tablespoon brown sugar, more to taste

 salt to taste

 heavy cream, optional

In a large pot, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add onions and saute until translucent, stirring frequently.

Add squash, carrots, vegetable broth, apple cider, and spices.

Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 10-15 minutes, or until squash and carrots are soft. Remove from heat and add pumpkin puree, butter, cream cheese and brown sugar. Puree with a hand (stick) blender or in batches in a normal blender. Blend until very smooth.

Taste soup and add salt as desired. You may also add extra brown sugar or honey to achieve a taste closer that of Panera’s. You can also add a little heavy cream if you want a more decadent soup. If desired, add more vegetable broth to thin soup.

Return to burner over medium-low heat, if needed to heat the soup back up, and then serve immediately.

NOTES

If you want it to be just like Panera squash soup – add more brown sugar and/or honey to taste.

This soup calls for two cups of apple cider, NOT APPLE CIDER VINEGAR. If you can’t find apple cider (sometimes it’s hard to find if it’s not fall), use a natural (100% juice) apple juice. If you use vinegar by accident, your soup will NOT turn out and will definitely NOT taste like Panera’s.

To reduce sodium, use low sodium or no salt added vegetable broth.