Om Ali is a scrumptious classic Egyptian dessert that is made with puff pastry, milk and nuts and topped with whipped cream; it is sure to tantalize your taste buds with its rich and decadent flavors.
Upon tasting this dessert, you'll notice how creamy and velvety its texture is. That's all thanks to the full-fat milk and heavy cream this recipe has! There are also crispy bits that balance the smooth texture, and I honestly think it makes the whole experience so much better!
For more Middle Eastern dessert recipes, check Kunafa Dessert and Galaktoboureko.
The flaky and buttery texture and taste come after the first bite; the nuts and shredded coconut all come together to create an undeniably delicious dessert. You've got all the reasons to make this recipe at home!
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What Is Om Ali?
Om Ali is the Middle Eastern version of bread pudding; it is an easy dessert that is so popular in Arab countries. The name is sometimes written as Oumm Ali or Umm Ali, and in Arabic, it is (أم علي). However, the meaning in English is literally (Ali's mother).
Om Ali is your native Egyptian dessert that can be prepared and served for any occasion held at home. You'll get to enjoy the varying taste and textures of this dessert, from a simple family gathering to a big birthday celebration!
This comforting dessert is also usually enjoyed and eaten as a dessert after a meal, but you can serve this as a snack or a sweet treat any time of day as well. It's an incredible way to end a feast on a high note! Share your wonderful expertise in the kitchen by serving this yummy, creamy, yet simple dessert.
Why Does This Recipe Work?
- It's a delightful and creamy Egyptian dessert that you can enjoy in the comfort of your own home.
- This recipe lets you explore kitchen skills that you haven't before. Make a dessert that's not the usual baking and mixing, and instead indulge in a culturally flavorful dish where your skills can be challenged and improved!
- You can easily double this recipe to have more servings! I'm telling you, this dessert is so delicious that one serving won't be enough. So make more to enjoy more!
- This is a budget-friendly recipe, and I even think some of the ingredients are already in your pantry waiting to be used up!
- A creamy and savory dessert you'll come to love! It's surely a delicious dessert idea for the whole family.
- This Om Ali Recipe is versatile and can be made in so many different ways; however, this recipe is the Egyptian version of Om Ali.
What's in This Om Ali Recipe?
Puff Pastry Sheet. Puff pastry sheet is usually used in making Om Ali since it makes a perfectly flaky texture. When you bake this pastry sheet, it'll puff up and will give this recipe a flaky and crisp texture making it an excellent contrast to the smooth, nutty, and velvety filling.
Full Fat Milk. You can't skip full fat milk in this recipe! This dish is so popular for its milk, pastry, sugar, and nuts ingredients, and to have a rich milky flavor, full-fat milk is the key!
Granulated Sugar. This dessert ought to be sweet, and granulated sugar is the perfect sweetener to tone down or up the sweetness as you prefer.
Vanilla Extract: For extra flavor.
Heavy Whipping Cream. Together with full-fat milk, heavy whipping cream creates a creamier and richer Om Ali dessert. It makes sure that the texture won’t be runny but thick, smooth, and velvety.
Almonds. Almonds have a satisfying crunch that can add a great texture to this dish. Remember that Om Ali is traditionally made with nuts, which makes almonds one of the perfect additions to complete this recipe.
Walnuts. Walnuts have a rich nutty flavor that complements well with the rest of the ingredients in this recipe! It also adds a crunch that pairs well with the flaky and velvety texture of this dessert.
Raisins. Raisins are known for their sweet and slightly tangy flavor that completes the rich and creamy taste of this dish. When the raisins are baked in this recipe, they become plump and juicy, adding a burst of flavor to every bite.
Shredded coconut. Shredded coconut adds a nice complement to the creamy and crisp texture of the Om Ali dessert. It has a mild taste too that pairs well with the nuts.
How to Make Om Ali - Step By Step
One: Preheat the oven to 200C/390F and line a baking tray with parchment pepper.
Two: In a small bowl, whip the heavy cream until stiff peak forms and then put in the fridge until needed.
Three: Unroll the puff pastry sheet and place it into the baking tray.
Bake in the preheated oven for 10-15 minutes or until golden brown. Then, allow to cool.
Four: Cut the puff pastry into small pieces and put in an oven-safe baking dish, and add in the nuts.
Five: In a medium saucepan, over medium-high heat, add milk, sugar and vanilla extract, stir together until the sugar dissolves, and then bring to a boil.
Six: Pour the hot milk over the pastry, cover and leave it for 30-45 minutes to absorb the milk.
Seven: Evenly spread the whipped cream on top and put in the center of the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes until bubbling and the top is golden brown. Serve immediately.
Top Tips!
- After you've assembled your Om Ali, allow it to soak in the milk mixture for at least 30 minutes before baking. This trick will help the pastry absorb the milk and become soft and creamy!
- Om Ali is best eaten fresh and straight out of the oven. If you're gonna prepare and make it ahead of time, you can reheat it in the oven or microwave before serving.
Recipe Variations
- You can add dried fruits like apricots, figs, or dates to your Om Ali for more taste and texture!
- Did you know you can actually add spice to your homemade Om Ali? Yes, you can! Just add some cinnamon powder for a bit of spice! I promise it will taste so good.
- Use stale croissants instead of puff pastry in making this middle eastern dessert.
Serving Suggestions
If you wanna add a sweet sticky taste to your Om Ali, you can drizzle it with some honey before serving! Most people who like Om Ali love to pair it with floral tea; chamomile and jasmine tea are the favorites!
Celebrate a special occasion with this decadent dessert with a glass of milk too!
Storage
To Store: You can refrigerate Om Ali for 3 days, but you have to let it cool to room temperature first and then put it in an airtight container.
To Freeze: Om Ali is a freezer-friendly recipe you can store in your freezer for up to two months. Just make sure it's placed in an airtight container!
To Reheat: Thaw overnight; if this dessert comes from being stored in the freezer, then microwave until hot or bubbling.
Recipe FAQs
It is classic Egyptian recipe that's mainly made with puff pastry sheets, milk, and sugar. It's baked until browned and bubbly.
If you are conscious of the calories of granulated sugar, you can use a sweetener with lower calories, like stevia or erythritol. It will provide the same sweetness, depending on how much you'll be adding.
It's possible to make it without using nuts, but the eating experience wouldn't be as superb. Om Ali is typically made with nuts in the mix, and removing them from the ingredients will change the whole recipe.
Yes, you can. However, the taste will not be as creamy as using full cream milk.
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Recipe
Om Ali Recipe
Equipment
- Baking dish
- Electric mixer
Ingredients
- 390 g puff pastry sheet
- 4 cups full fat milk
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- ⅓ cup almonds , coarsely chopped
- ⅓ cup walnuts , coarsely chopped
- ¼ cup raisins
- ¼ cup shredded coconut
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 200C/390F and line a baking tray with parchment pepper.
- In a small bowl, whip the heavy cream until stiff peak forms and then put in the fridge until needed.1 cup heavy whipping cream
- Unroll the puff pastry sheet and place it into the baking tray.390 g puff pastry sheet
- Bake in the preheated oven for 10-15 minutes or until golden brown. Then, allow to cool.
- Cut the puff pastry into small pieces and put in an oven-safe baking dish, and add in the nuts.⅓ cup almonds, ⅓ cup walnuts, ¼ cup raisins, ¼ cup shredded coconut
- In a medium saucepan, over medium-high heat, add milk, vanilla extract and sugar, stir together until the sugar dissolves, and then bring to a boil.4 cups full fat milk, ⅓ cup granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pour the milk over the pastry, cover and leave it for 30-45 minutes to absorb the milk.
- Evenly spread the whipped cream on top and bake in the oven for 15-20 minutes until bubbling and the top is golden brown. Serve immediately.
Notes
- After you've assembled your dish, allow it to soak in the milk mixture for at least 30 minutes before baking. This trick will help the pastry absorb the milk and become soft and creamy!
- Om Ali is best eaten fresh and straight out of the oven. If you're gonna prepare and make it ahead of time, you can reheat it in the oven or microwave before serving.
Variations
- You can add dried fruits like apricots, figs, or dates to your dish for more taste and texture!
- Did you know you can actually add spice to your homemade Om Ali? Yes, you can! Just add some cinnamon powder for a bit of spice! I promise it will taste so good.
- Use stale croissants instead of puff pastry in making this middle eastern dessert.
Nancy
Lovely dessert! All my family love it.
Hend
I usually make this recipe during Ramadan. My children love it.