Olive Garden Apple Carmelina

Serve these baked apples topped with your favorite vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of caramel sauce. Olive Garden’s Apple Carmelina is a delightful dessert that combines the comforting flavors of baked apples and sweet caramel. This dessert is often a favorite among diners for its warm, comforting taste and indulgent appeal. The dish features tender sliced apples baked to perfection, coated in a rich caramel sauce that adds a decadent touch to the classic apple dessert.

The preparation of Olive Garden’s Apple Carmelina involves layering sliced apples and a luscious caramel sauce in a baking dish before baking it until the apples become tender and the caramel sauce thickens to a delectable consistency. The result is a mouthwatering treat that offers a perfect balance of sweet and tart flavors, making it an excellent choice to end a hearty meal.

When served, the Apple Carmelina is often accompanied by a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream, enhancing its taste with creamy goodness. This elegant dessert is a wonderful way to satisfy any sweet cravings and leave diners with a lasting impression of the Olive Garden dining experience. Whether enjoyed on its own or shared with loved ones, the Apple Carmelina offers a delightful combination of flavors that will leave dessert lovers craving for more.

SERVES: 6–8

INGREDIENTS:

FILLING

• 2 (20-ounce) cans drained sliced apples
• ½ cup sugar
• ½ teaspoon apple pie spice
• ¼ cup brown sugar
• ¼ cup flour
• ¼ teaspoon salt

TOPPING

• ¾ cup flour
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup light brown sugar
• ¼ cup sugar
• 5 tablespoons softened butter

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
2. In a bowl, mix all the ingredients for the filling together, including drained sliced apples, sugar, apple pie spice, brown sugar, flour, and salt. Stir well to ensure the apples are evenly coated.
3. Pour the apple mixture into a lightly buttered 8″ × 8″ baking dish, spreading it out evenly.
4. In a separate bowl, create the topping by combining flour, salt, light brown sugar, and sugar. Mix well to blend the dry ingredients. Add softened butter and work it into the mixture until it resembles coarse meal.
5. Sprinkle the topping mixture over the apples in the baking dish, covering them evenly.
6. Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 30–35 minutes, or until the topping turns golden brown and the apple filling is bubbly.
7. Once done, remove the apple crisp from the oven and let it cool slightly before serving. Enjoy it warm on its own or with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a delightful treat.

SERVING SUGGESTIONS:

• Ice Cream: Top each serving of Apple Carmelina with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. The cold and creamy ice cream complements the warm apples and caramel, creating a delightful contrast of temperatures and textures.
• Whipped Cream: Another great accompaniment is a generous dollop of whipped cream. The light and airy texture of the whipped cream balances the richness of the caramel, making each bite even more enjoyable.
• Caramel Drizzle: For an extra touch of indulgence, drizzle additional caramel sauce over the top of the dessert before serving. This intensifies the caramel flavor and adds a beautiful presentation.
• Chopped Nuts: Sprinkle some chopped nuts, such as walnuts or pecans, over the dessert to add a delightful crunch and nutty flavor that complements the soft apples.
• Dusting of Cinnamon: A light dusting of ground cinnamon over the top of the Apple Carmelina provides a warm and aromatic touch that enhances the overall flavor profile.