Insanely Delicious Butternut Squash Soup Recipe

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).

Pour a thin layer of water into a baking dish or rimmed baking sheet. Place squash halves, cut-side down, into water in the baking dish.

Bake in the preheated oven until squash is easily pierced with a fork, about 40 minutes. Cool slightly, then remove the skin. Set aside.

Melt butter in a large pot over medium heat. Sauté onion, leek and garlic in hot butter until tender, about 3 minutes. Pour in broth and add potatoes; bring to a boil. Cook until potatoes are soft, about 20 minutes.

Add cooked squash to the pot, then mash with potatoes until small chunks remain. Use an immersion hand blender to purée soup until smooth.

Season soup with cayenne pepper, allspice, nutmeg, ginger, salt, and pepper. Stir in half-and-half cream and sherry. Cook and stir over medium heat until heated through; do not boil. Ladle into soup bowls and top each with a dollop of sour cream to serve.