How to Make the Perfect Umm Ali
Egyptian · Easy · 40 min · 6 servings
Umm Ali is Egypts iconic warm bread pudding dessert made with layers of flaky pastry, nuts, coconut, and raisins soaked in sweet cream and baked until bubbling and golden. It is rich, indulgent, and deeply comforting with a texture that sits between a pudding and a gratin.
Why this recipe works
This Umm Ali recipe has been crafted to deliver restaurant-quality results in your home kitchen. At just 40 minutes from start to finish, it fits perfectly into a busy schedule without sacrificing flavor. Each serving comes in at 560 calories with 9g of protein, making it a balanced choice for any meal.
What you will need
This recipe uses 6 simple ingredients that you can find at any grocery store:
- 250 grams puff pastry sheets baked and broken
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 4 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 0.5 cup mixed nuts roughly chopped
- 3 tablespoons shredded coconut
Step by step instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Pastry Base
Break baked puff pastry sheets into rough medium sized pieces and spread them evenly across a deep baking dish. Scatter the mixed nuts, shredded coconut, and optional raisins over and between the pastry pieces.
Step 2: Make the Cream Mixture
Heat milk, heavy cream, and sugar together in a saucepan over medium heat stirring until the sugar fully dissolves. Bring just to a simmer then remove from heat before it boils.
Step 3: Soak and Bake
Pour the hot cream mixture evenly over the pastry and nut layer, pressing gently so the pastry absorbs the liquid. Bake in a preheated oven at 200 degrees Celsius for 15 minutes until the top is golden and the cream is bubbling.
Step 4: Serve
Remove from the oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving. Spoon into bowls while still warm and offer additional drizzle of cream or a dusting of cinnamon on top.
Easy substitutions
Missing an ingredient? Here are some swaps that work perfectly:
- puff pastry → croissants torn into pieces
- heavy cream → evaporated milk for a lighter version
Common mistakes to avoid
Watch out for these pitfalls that can affect your results:
- Not adding enough cream mixture which makes the dessert dry and crumbly after baking
- Overbaking which causes the cream to evaporate and the top to burn before the inside is set
Nutrition facts
Per serving: 560 calories, 9g protein, 58g carbs, 32g fat, 2g fiber.
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