Ingredients
Roasted Apples & Sweet Potatoes
- 2 medium sweet potatoes (about 1 lb. each)
- 2 Honeycrisp or Gala apples, sliced
- 2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
Soup Base
- 4 cups vegetable stock
- 1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 red onion, chopped
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 Tbsp raw honey, organic
- 1 tsp sea salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1 tsp dried parsley
- 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1 cup organic heavy cream
- 1 to 2 cups mild cheddar cheese, shredded or grated
Cinnamon Pecan Topping
- 1 cup raw pecans, chopped
- 1/2 cup organic rolled oats
- 2 Tbsp raw honey, organic
- 1 Tbsp organic all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 2 to 3 Tbsp unsalted butter, softened at room temperature
Instructions
- Preheat oven and prepare baking sheet: Set the oven to 425°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil to prepare for roasting the apples and sweet potatoes.
- Roast sweet potatoes and apples: Rinse the sweet potatoes and pat dry. Lightly coat the potatoes with olive oil and place them on one end of the baking sheet. On the other end, arrange the sliced apples, drizzle with olive oil, then sprinkle with cinnamon and nutmeg. Roast for 25-30 minutes until tender and golden. Let cool for 10-15 minutes, then slice sweet potatoes in half and scoop out the flesh into a bowl.
- Prepare cinnamon pecan topping: Preheat the oven to 375°F and line another baking sheet with parchment paper. In a bowl, mix chopped pecans, rolled oats, honey, flour, cinnamon, and softened butter until combined and moist. Spread the mixture in clusters on the baking sheet and bake for 10-15 minutes without stirring until golden clusters form.
- Sauté aromatics: Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a medium-sized Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add minced garlic and chopped onion, sautéing for 1-2 minutes until fragrant. Remove from heat.
- Blend soup base: Transfer the sautéed garlic and onion to a high-powered blender. Add the roasted apples, sweet potato flesh, and vegetable stock. Blend on high speed until smooth and fully broken down.
- Cook the soup: Pour the blended mixture back into the Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Stir in heavy cream, honey, sea salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, oregano, basil, parsley, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper until combined.
- Add cheese: Stir in the shredded mild cheddar cheese and continue cooking until the cheese has melted completely into the soup.
- Simmer: Bring the soup to a gentle boil for 1-2 minutes, then reduce heat to low and allow it to simmer for another 5-6 minutes, thickening the soup.
- Serve: Remove the soup from heat and ladle into bowls. Top each serving with the cinnamon pecan clusters. Serve immediately with optional bread on the side.
- Enjoy: Relish the harmonious balance of sweet, savory, creamy, and crunchy flavors in this comforting apple cheddar sweet potato soup. Bon appétit!
Notes
- Mild cheddar cheese is recommended for a gentle melt and creaminess; sharp cheddar can be used but will impart a stronger flavor.
- Do not stir the pecan topping while baking to ensure cluster formation.
- You can adjust cayenne pepper amount to control the spiciness of the soup.
- Use high-quality organic ingredients where possible for deeper flavor and nutrition.
- Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheat gently on the stovetop.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian