Om Ali Traditional
Om Ali is Egypt's beloved national dessert, a rich and creamy bread pudding made with flaky puff pastry, infused with fragrant milk and cream, and studded with crunchy nuts. It's a comforting and decadent treat perfect for any occasion.
🧂 Ingredients
- 400 g Puff pastry(Store-bought or homemade. Ensure it's thawed if frozen.)
- 1 L Whole milk(Full-fat milk will yield the creamiest result.)
- 200 ml Heavy cream(Also known as whipping cream.)
- 150 g Mixed nuts(A mix of pistachios, almonds, walnuts, and cashews is traditional. Roughly chopped.)
- 150 g Granulated sugar(Adjust to your sweetness preference. Can also use caster sugar.)
- Optional additions(Raisins, desiccated coconut, or rose water can be added for extra flavor and texture.)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Prepare the puff pastry: Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F). Unroll the puff pastry sheets onto a baking tray lined with parchment paper. Prick the pastry all over with a fork to prevent excessive puffing. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the pastry is golden brown and puffed. Once baked, let it cool slightly, then break it into bite-sized pieces and set aside.
⏱️ 20 minutes - 2
Assemble the base: Lightly grease a large ovenproof dish (approximately 9x13 inches or similar). Arrange the broken puff pastry pieces evenly in the dish. Scatter the chopped mixed nuts over the pastry. If using optional additions like raisins or coconut, sprinkle them in now.
⏱️ 5 minutes - 3
Infuse the liquid: In a saucepan, combine the milk, heavy cream, and granulated sugar. Heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the sugar has dissolved and the mixture is steaming but not boiling. If using rose water, stir it in at this stage.
⏱️ 10 minutes - 4
Pour and bake: Carefully pour the hot milk mixture evenly over the pastry and nut layers in the dish, ensuring all pieces are submerged. Let it sit for about 5 minutes to allow the pastry to absorb some of the liquid. Place the dish in the preheated oven at 180°C (350°F). Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the top is beautifully golden brown and the pudding is bubbling around the edges.
⏱️ 25 minutes - 5
Rest and serve: Remove the Om Ali from the oven and let it rest for at least 10 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to meld and the dessert to set slightly. Serve warm.
⏱️ 10 minutes
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Om Ali is named after a queen who, according to legend, created this dessert to celebrate the victory of her husband, Sultan Aybak.
- ✓This is considered the national dessert of Egypt and is a staple at celebrations and gatherings.
- ✓Serve hot or warm for the best experience. A sprinkle of extra chopped nuts on top just before serving adds a nice garnish.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- For a lighter version, you can use a good quality store-bought phyllo dough instead of puff pastry, though the texture will be crisper.
- Adding desiccated coconut to the layers or a splash of rose water to the milk mixture provides a delightful aromatic twist.