Om Ali is a traditional Egyptian bread pudding made with crispy baked puff pastry layered with pistachios, almonds, walnuts, raisins, and apricots, then soaked in warm spiced milk and topped with whipped cream. It's served hot as a comforting, lightly sweet dessert.
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Preheat oven to 400ºF.
Place thawed puff pastry sheets onto a baking sheet. If they do not fit on one baking sheet, you will need to bake on two baking sheets or bake one at a time.
Bake until puff pastry is golden, per package directions. Let puff pastry sit until cool to touch.
In a small bowl combine nuts and dried fruits.
Apply non-stick spray or butter the bottom and sides of a 9-inch ceramic pie dish or casserole dish.
Rip and crumble puff pastry into 1-inch pieces. Place approximately one-third of the puff pastry pieces onto the bottom of the pie dish. Sprinkle one-third of the nut-fruit mixture over it.
Continue layering the puff pastry pieces and dried fruit mixture until everything is in the pie dish.
Whip together heavy cream and 2 tsp sugar in a cold bowl until stiff peaks are formed. Reserve whipped cream.
In a heavy pot over medium-high heat add milk, 1/2 cup sugar, vanilla, cardamom and cinnamon. Whisk until sugar is dissolved and milk is hot and frothy.
Slowly pour the hot milk over the puff pastry pieces until all is absorbed.
Carefully spread half of the whipped cream over the top. Keep remaining whipped cream in the refrigerator.
Bake in oven at 400ºF until browned and bubbly, approximately 10 minutes.
Garnish with dried rose petals. Serve hot with the remaining whipped cream.
Store cooled Om Ali covered in the refrigerator for up to 2 days; reheat gently in a 325ºF oven for 5–10 minutes until warm, then top with fresh whipped cream before serving.
9-inch ceramic pie dish or casserole dish · baking sheet · heavy pot
You can prepare the layers in the dish up to 4 hours ahead, then pour the hot spiced milk and bake just before serving to keep the puff pastry crispy.
Phyllo dough or thin-cut croissants can work, though puff pastry is traditional and gives the best flaky texture.
No. Use 1 cup total of any combination of pistachios, almonds, walnuts, or pecans based on preference.
Bake at 400ºF for approximately 10 minutes until the top is browned and bubbly.
They are an optional garnish that adds a subtle floral note and visual elegance, common in Middle Eastern desserts.
