Cinnamon-Spiced Sweet Potato Soup with Maple Croutons Recipe
A warm and comforting cinnamon-spiced sweet potato soup enhanced with aromatic spices and a hint of heat, served with sweet maple-drizzled croutons for a delightful texture and flavor contrast.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Soup Ingredients
- 4 tbsp olive oil, divided
- 1 lb carrots (about 4 large), cut into 1/2-inch pieces
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
- Pinch of nutmeg
- 1 lb sweet potatoes (about 2 medium), peeled and cut into 3/4-inch pieces
- 2 tbsp chicken or vegetable bouillon base
- 2 dried bay leaves
- 6 cups water
Maple Croutons
- 2 slices leftover bread, cut or torn into 1-inch pieces
- 1 tbsp maple syrup
Instructions
- Sauté the Vegetables: Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the carrots, onion, and garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables begin to brown at the edges, about 8 to 10 minutes. Then stir in the cinnamon, cayenne pepper, and nutmeg, cooking for an additional minute to release their aromas.
- Simmer the Soup: Add the sweet potatoes, bouillon base, bay leaves, and 6 cups of water to the saucepan. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer gently until all the vegetables are very tender, approximately 10 to 12 minutes.
- Prepare Maple Croutons: While the soup simmers, heat the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the bread pieces and cook, tossing occasionally, until they turn golden brown. Remove the skillet from the heat, drizzle the maple syrup over the croutons, and toss to coat evenly.
- Blend the Soup: Discard the bay leaves from the soup. Using an immersion blender or a standard blender in batches, puree the soup until it reaches a smooth, creamy consistency.
- Serve: Ladle the pureed sweet potato soup into bowls and top each serving with the sweet and crispy maple croutons. Enjoy the comforting blend of spices and textures.
Notes
- For a vegan version, use vegetable bouillon instead of chicken bouillon.
- The maple croutons add a sweet crunch; you can substitute with toasted nuts or seeds if preferred.
- Adjust cayenne pepper amount to control the heat level in the soup.
- Leftover roasted sweet potatoes can be added for extra depth of flavor.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Keywords: sweet potato soup, cinnamon soup, maple croutons, fall soup, vegetarian soup, spiced sweet potato, comforting soup
