
Winter evenings in my kitchen call for my amazing parsnip and butternut squash soup. I've created it to feel like a warm hug in a bowl, with cute puff pastry stars floating on top like little magical cookies. This dish truly warms your soul when it's freezing outside.
Comforting velvet soup
What I love most about this dish is how it balances sweetness with gentle spice. The coconut milk brings an incredible creaminess that works beautifully with winter veggies. It's such a comforting treat that I often serve on weeknights, either as a starter or main dish.
Shopping list for perfect soup
- Sweet butternut squash: 900g ripe for natural sweetness
- Lovely parsnips: 400g adding their unique flavor
- Coconut milk: 40cl for that dreamy smoothness
- Some water: 50cl to get just the right consistency
- Homemade stock: One tablespoon that makes all the difference
- My favorite spices: One teaspoon of mixed spice
- For my floating stars:
- Leftover puff pastry
- A fresh egg yolk
- My fave seeds - chia, sesame or poppy
Kitchen magic happening
- Getting veggies ready
- I cut my butternut into nice chunks and slice my parsnips into medium rounds.
- Soup simmering
- Everything goes into my big pot - veggies, coconut milk, water, and stock. I let it cook gently for 20 minutes until everything's nice and soft.
- Stars taking shape
- Meanwhile I cut star shapes from my pastry, brush with egg yolk and sprinkle with seeds. They go into the oven at 200°C for just 7 minutes.
- Finishing touch
- I add my spices and blend until everything's perfectly smooth.
- Serving time
- I pour the hot soup into bowls, place my golden stars on top, and watch the magic happen.

Special final touch
My little puff pastry stars always wow everyone. I like switching up the seeds depending on my mood - sometimes golden sesame, sometimes poppy seeds, or even a mix of both. These homemade crackers give my soup a festive feel, and my guests love crunching on them between spoonfuls of soup.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → Can this soup be frozen?
- Yes, it freezes well! Skip the puff pastry stars and freeze the soup for up to 3 months. Make the stars fresh when ready to serve.
- → Can I swap out coconut milk?
- Sure! Try heavy cream or almond milk for a different taste. Coconut milk adds a special smoothness.
- → How do I get a smooth finish?
- Blend it thoroughly with an immersion blender or regular blender. Strain it through a fine sieve for ultra-smooth texture.
- → Can I prep the stars beforehand?
- Yes, bake them early and keep in an airtight box for 2-3 days. Reheat in the oven before serving.
- → What spices can replace 4-spice?
- Mix cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and pepper. Butternut also pairs well with curry or cumin.