Egyptian Om Ali Dessert
A rich, comforting, and decadent Middle Eastern bread pudding made with flaky pastry, milk, nuts, and cream.
Ingredients
- •5 flaky puff pastry sheets or 300g plain croissants, torn into bite-sized pieces
- •3 cups whole milk (750ml)
- •1/2 cup heavy cream (120ml)
- •1/3 cup granulated sugar (65g)
- •1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- •1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted (60g)
- •1/4 cup flaked almonds, toasted
- •1/4 cup pistachios, chopped
- •1/4 cup walnuts or pecans, chopped
- •1/4 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
- •2 tablespoons raisins (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Preheat your oven to 200 degrees Celsius (400 degrees Fahrenheit).
- 2
If using puff pastry, bake the sheets according to package instructions until golden and crisp, then let cool and tear into bite-sized pieces. If using croissants, tear them directly.
- 3
In a large bowl, combine the torn pastry pieces, flaked almonds, chopped pistachios, walnuts, shredded coconut, and raisins.
- 4
Spread this mixed pastry and nut combination evenly into a medium baking dish.
- 5
In a saucepan, combine the whole milk, heavy cream, sugar, and vanilla extract. Heat over medium until hot and steaming, but do not let it come to a rolling boil.
- 6
Stir the melted butter into the warm milk mixture.
- 7
Carefully pour the hot milk mixture over the pastry and nuts in the baking dish, allowing the pastry to soak up the liquid for about 5 minutes.
- 8
Transfer the baking dish to the preheated oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until the top is golden brown and bubbling.
- 9
Switch the oven to broil for the final 2 to 3 minutes to deeply brown and caramelize the top layer, watching closely to prevent burning.
💡 Chef tips
- You can substitute puff pastry or croissants with toasted puff pastry tart shells or even day-old brioche bread.
- Feel free to customize the nut blend with any combination of hazelnuts, cashews, or pine nuts based on your pantry.
- Leftovers can be covered and refrigerated for up to 3 days, and reheated in the oven or microwave with a splash of milk to restore moisture.
✅ How it should turn out
The finished Om Ali has a bubbling golden crust with a rich, aromatic aroma of vanilla and toasted nuts, and a luscious, custard-soaked interior that melts in your mouth.