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Staying warm with this creamy Cheddar Apple Butternut Squash Soup. Autumn butternut squash pureed with sweet caramelized apples, fresh thyme, and a touch of milk to make the perfect savory soup with a touch of sweetness swirled throughout. Finish each bowl off with sautéed apples and a sprinkle of cinnamon flavored pecan crumble. It’s creamy, savory, sweet, and one of the coziest bowls of soup you’ll enjoy this fall. Promise.
I can’t believe I have yet to mention this, but the the temperatures here in the mountains have been freezing cold. I’m talking single digits in the morning COLD. It’s truly full on winter here. I wasn’t even close to being ready, but ready or not, it’s here. To make up for all the cold in the air, I’ve been making soup every single day for the last week.
Not even joking.
You guys have a new soup recipe coming your way for each of the next three weeks…really hoping you all enjoy warm soup!
Oddly, I am in LA today and tomorrow, where it’s set to be in the 80’s. Complete opposite weather. I packed sweaters, but all I really need are tees. It’s cool though, because I’m pretty much always cold, even when it’s warm out I’ll still carry a sweater.
Anyway, my point in all this rambling is that while the rest of you are experiencing fall, up here in the mountains, we’re moved on to winter. And because of that I have soup to share!
Hands down two of my favorites when it comes to autumn produce are honeycrisp apples and butternut squash. I am full on obsessed, and love incorporating both into my recipes as much as possible.
It’s hard for me to believe, but I think this is the first time I’ve paired the two together. Shocking, but glad I finally decided to work both into a recipe, because this soup is DELICIOUS.
I know it’s different, but don’t turn your head without trying it first. This soup is the perfect mix up of savory and sweet flavors. And if a soup could be addicting, this would be that soup.
One of the key steps to this soup is caramelizing the apples. This breaks them down, releases extra moisture, and intensifies their flavor before blending. Once you have the apples cooked down and caramelized, everything else gets thrown into the soup pot and simmered until the squash is tender. Then you’ll simply blend, add milk and cheddar, and your soup is done.
And yes, you do need to add the cheddar. It’s pairs with the apples like peanut butter and jelly, it’s truly the best. You need to trust me here.
While the soup is simmering away, make the crumble. Again, I know this might seem weird, but this is one of those recipes where you really just have to put aside your doubts and listen to me. OK? Cool.
The crumble is EVERYTHING. It’s extra heavy on the cinnamon, buttery, and just a little sweet. Nothing too over powering, but when sprinkled over this bowl of creamy, cheesy soup, it’s perfection beyond words. Meaning it’s so good.
And then, as if that wasn’t enough, I added some honeyed apples, because I mean, why not? I mostly did this because I wanted to make the soup extra pretty. But they ended up being incredibly delicious, and added a nice layer of texture. Highly recommending ALL the toppings. Toppings are kind of everything.
I love making this as a nice warm and cozy dinner. But it would be equally great as a starter course for Thanksgiving, which is very quickly approaching.
I’m both excited and wishing time would slow down so that I could enjoy the fall season a bit longer…
Also, is it weird that I am kind of excited to get home to the cold? I find the 80 degree temperatures in October totally off. I LOVE fall weather. Can’t wait to be home this weekend for a quick minute before heading off to NYC. Making soup is for sure on the agenda.
If you make this soup please be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to also tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Cheddar Apple Butternut Squash Soup with Cinnamon Pecan Crumble
Servings: 6
Calories Per Serving: 1672 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 yellow onion, chopped
- 2 honeycrisp apples
- kosher salt and pepper
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 4 cups low sodium vegetable broth
- 4 cups cubed butternut squash
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper, more or less to taste
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1-2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese, depending on your taste
- 2 tablespoons + 2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves
- 2 tablespoons salted butter
- 1 tablespoon honey
Cinnamon Pecan Crumble
- 1 1/2 cups raw pecans, roughly chopped
- 1 cup old fashioned oats
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons real maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 4 tablespoons salted butter, at room temperature
Instructions
- 1. Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. When the oil shimmers, add the onion and 1 chopped apple. Cook until fragrant, about 10 minutes. Whisk in the flour and cook until golden, about 2 minutes, then gradually whisk in the broth until smooth. Add the butternut squash, cayenne, and a large pinch each of salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat to medium and cook, covered, until the squash is tender, about 20 minutes. 2. Remove the soup from the stove. Let cool slightly and then puree in a blender or use an immersion blender. 3. Return the soup to the stove and set over low heat. Stir in the milk and cheese until melted and creamy. Add the thyme and cook another 2-3 minutes. Taste and adjust seasonings as desired.4. To make the honey butter apples. Melt the butter in a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 thinly sliced apple and cook until it just begins to caramelize, about 5 minutes. Add the honey and 2 teaspoons thyme. Cook another minute, then remove from the heat. 5. To serve, ladle the soup into bowls and spoon the apples over top. Finish with a sprinkle of pecan crumble. Enjoy!
Cinnamon Pecan Crumble
- 1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.2. On a rimmed baking sheet, combine the oats, pecans, flour, maple, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. Add the butter and use your fingers to crumble it into the mix until everything is moist. 3. Transfer to the oven and bake for 20 minutes, stirring halfway through cooking, until crisp and golden brown and smells amazing. I like to serve this warm, so I make it while the soup simmers.
I was going to make my go-to Butternut Squash soup when I came across this recipe and decided to give it a try, and ohhhh, man, I was SO glad I did! Definitely will be making this again. 🙂
Interesting soup. I will definitely make it this week. Can I use walnuts instead of the pecans?
I am sure walnuts will be delicious!! Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe. Thanks so much! xTieghan
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Looks and sounds so yummy. Could This be done in my instant pot?? If so, could you tell me what I could change to make that happen??
HI! I am sure this would be great in the instant pot. I would add everything to the instant pot minus the below ingredients:
1 cup whole milk
1-2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese, depending on your taste
2 tablespoons + 2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves
2 tablespoons salted butter
1 tablespoon honey
Cook on high preasure for 12 minutes. Puree and then add the remaining ingredients. Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe. Thanks so much! xTieghan
What is the amount of flour in the pecan crumble mixture? I don’t see it listed. Soup is made and tastes wonderful. I might cut the cayenne back a little next time tho.
How much flour in the pecan crumble mixture? I don’t see it listed. Soup is made and tastes wonderful. I might cut the cayenne back a little next time tho.
Hey Cathy! I use 2 tablespoons flour. Recipe is all fixed! Sorry about that. Glad you are enjoying the soup!
This looks INSANELY GOOD!!
Rebecca | http://www.peppermintdolly.com
Thank you!
Sooo yummy!!! Lots of moving parts to this but easy to make 🙂 I would do half the cayenne pepper next time. I will definitely make this again
Thank you so much Emily!
This soup looks so good Tieghan, esp today with the wind whipping around here! I love butternut squash and it’s my fav. The only thing I’ll change is, I like it chunky.
This pecan crumble I will definitely munch on it like granola. Yum! ?
Have a great weekend coming up!
Thank you so much! I hope you try this! I hope you also have a great weekend!
I have the day off today, so my husband and I are going to an apple orchard! I think this soup will be the perfect ending to cap off a beautiful fall day in Minnesota! I’m wondering if you think coconut milk would work instead of whole milk?
Hey Sandy! Coconut milk will work so well. Sounds great! Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe! Thanks! xTieghan
PS. your day sounds just amazing and so very fall!
I am just so in love with this. You’re right, the crumble at first seems odd, but after thinking about it I’ve decided it is the best thing in the world. Love the idea so much. What a great recipe – I can’t wait to make it!
I am so glad you like this and hope it turns out amazing for you Danielle! Thank you!
This looks fantastic! I was JUST telling my mom last night that I was craving butternut squash soup. I will definitely be making this tonight. Can you sub coconut milk for the whole milk?
Hey Rachel! coconut milk will work great! Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe! Thanks! xTieghan
Could I sub chicken bone broth for the vegetable broth? That crumble sounds insanely delicious…
Hey there,
Totally, that will work well for you. Please let me know if you give the recipe a try, I hope you love it! xTieghan
Interesting soup! I need to make this as a starter for short ribs this weekend. Weather: it’s been ~20 degrees below normal all month. Sept was mostly cool too. We get a short reprieve today/tomorrow, then cold again. Weird. Makes winter endless here. Not a fan. But I am a fan of soup and comfort food.
Yes! I hope you love this then, Joyce!
Wow. This looks amazing!! I can’t wait to try! This is definitely on my list as well as the pumpkin beer broccoli cheddar soup. So easy and so good for me when my husband travels.
I agree about cool fall temperatures! I grew up in Erie, Pennsylvania now residing in Cleveland and I absolutely love the change of season and would take it over any hot day. ?
I hope you love this Kristen! Thank you!