Ingredients

• 1  tablespoon butter
• 2  15-ounce cans pumpkin
• 2  14-ounce cans chicken broth
• 1  cup half-and-half, light cream, or milk
• 1/4  cup pure maple syrup or maple-flavor syrup
• 2  teaspoons grated fresh ginger or 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
•   Salt
•   Ground black pepper
•   Maple sugar or packed brown sugar (optional)
•   Pumpkin seeds (pepitas) (optional)

Directions

1. In a large saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in pumpkin, chicken broth, half-and-half, maple syrup, and ginger. Bring mixture just to boiling. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

2. Ladle the soup into a serving bowl. If desired, garnish with maple sugar and pumpkin seeds. Makes 8 appetizer servings.