Om Ali, which translates to “Ali’s Mother,” is Egypt’s most cherished bread pudding dessert that has warmed hearts and homes for generations. This rich, creamy dessert combines layers of crispy pastry with warm milk, nuts, and coconut, creating a texture that’s both comforting and indulgent. Legend says it was created by the first wife of a sultan to celebrate the death of his second wife, but today it’s simply celebrated as pure deliciousness. This recipe serves 6 people and takes about 30 minutes to prepare, making it perfect for family gatherings or when you want to treat yourself to something special.
What You’ll Need
- 6 sheets of puff pastry or phyllo dough
- 4 cups whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup mixed nuts (almonds, pistachios, hazelnuts), roughly chopped
- 1/4 cup raisins
- 1/4 cup shredded coconut
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup condensed milk (optional, for extra sweetness)
Preparing the Pastry Base
Start by preheating your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Take your puff pastry sheets and place them on a large baking sheet. If using frozen pastry, make sure it’s completely thawed first. Bake the pastry for about 10-12 minutes until it turns golden brown and becomes crispy. You want it to puff up and get nice and crunchy because this will be the foundation of your dessert.
Once the pastry is done, remove it from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes. Then break it into bite-sized pieces with your hands. Don’t worry about making them perfect – rustic, irregular pieces work best for this dessert.
Creating the Creamy Milk Mixture
While your pastry cools, pour the milk into a large saucepan and place it over medium heat. Add the sugar and stir until it dissolves completely. You don’t want the milk to boil rapidly, just heat it until it’s steaming and small bubbles form around the edges.
Once the milk is hot, add the heavy cream and vanilla extract. Stir everything together and let it simmer gently for about 3-4 minutes. If you want your Om Ali extra sweet and rich, this is when you would add the condensed milk and stir until it’s well combined.
Assembling Your Om Ali
Take a large, oven-safe serving dish or individual ramekins if you prefer personal portions. Start by spreading the broken pastry pieces evenly across the bottom of your dish. The pieces should cover the entire surface and can overlap slightly.
Sprinkle the chopped nuts, raisins, and shredded coconut over the pastry pieces. This creates lovely pockets of texture and flavor throughout the dessert. Make sure to distribute everything evenly so each spoonful has a good mix.
The Final Touch
Pour the hot milk mixture over the pastry and toppings, making sure to cover everything completely. The pastry should be mostly submerged but some pieces can peek through the surface. Give the dish a gentle shake to help the milk settle into all the gaps.
Place the dish in your preheated oven for about 10-15 minutes. You want the top to turn golden brown and the milk to bubble gently around the edges. Some people prefer their Om Ali more liquid, while others like it to set up more firmly – both are perfectly acceptable.
Serving and Enjoying
Remove your Om Ali from the oven and let it rest for about 5 minutes before serving. This brief cooling period helps it set slightly while still maintaining that perfect warm, creamy texture. The dessert should be served warm, ideally in bowls with spoons.
Each serving delivers a wonderful combination of textures – the soft, milk-soaked pastry contrasts beautifully with the crunchy nuts and chewy raisins. The coconut adds a subtle tropical note that makes each bite interesting.
Tips for Perfect Results
For the best Om Ali, use full-fat milk and don’t skip the heavy cream. These provide the rich, luxurious texture that makes this dessert special. If you can’t find puff pastry, you can substitute with croissants, danish pastry, or even day-old bread, though puff pastry gives the most authentic result.
Feel free to customize your nuts based on what you have available. Almonds and pistachios are traditional, but walnuts or pecans work wonderfully too. Some families add a pinch of cinnamon or cardamom to their milk mixture for extra warmth and spice.
This recipe serves 6 generous portions and is best enjoyed fresh from the oven, though leftovers can be gently rewarmed the next day.
