Ingredients

2 Tbsp. butter
1 onion, diced
1 pound peeled butternut squash, cubed
1 carrot, diced
¼ tsp. cinnamon
¼ tsp. ground nutmeg
Pinch ground cloves
1 quart low-salt chicken broth
2 sprigs thyme
1 cup half-and-half
2 Tbsp. unsulphured molasses

Directions

Melt butter over medium heat in large soup pot. Add onion and cook until translucent. Then add squash and carrots. Cook for 4 to 5 minutes, stirring often. Add spices and cook until vegetables start to caramelize. Add chicken broth and thyme. Simmer for 20 minutes.

Remove from heat and discard thyme sprigs. Using an immersion blender, puree the soup. (It can be frozen at this stage.) Stir in molasses to blend. Add half-and-half and mix to combine. Ladle into individual bowls and serve hot.

If frozen, defrost gradually and then reheat in large pot. Stir in molasses and half-and-half and serve as above.