Om Ali / Umm Ali

A rich and creamy Egyptian bread pudding, Om Ali, is a comforting dessert with a delightful mix of textures and flavors.
1h 45m·DESSERT6Servings
Nutrition
1051kcal
20gProtein
81gCarbs
75gFat
Ingredients
BREAD BASE
Roqaq Bread
8 pieces
Butter
½ cup
CREAMY MIXTURE
Whole Milk
1 l
Heavy Cream
2 cups
Sugar
¾ cup
Cinnamon
¾ tsp
Cardamom
¾ tsp
Rose Water
1 tsp
TOPPINGS
Sliced Almonds
¾ cup
Pistachios
¾ cup
Sultanas
1 cup
Instructions
1Prepare the Bread Base
10m
Toast the Bread
Break the roqaq bread into pieces and toast them in a dry pan over medium heat until golden brown and crisp. Alternatively, bake in a 400°F (205°C) oven for about 5 minutes. Let cool completely.
Melt the Butter
Melt the butter in a small saucepan or microwave.
Assemble the Base
Place the toasted bread pieces into a baking dish and drizzle the melted butter over them. Crumble the bread further if needed to create a more even layer.
2Prepare the Creamy Mixture
15m
Combine Liquids and Sugar
In a saucepan, combine the whole milk, heavy cream, sugar, cinnamon, and cardamom. Whisk until the sugar is dissolved.
Heat the Mixture
Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring the mixture to a simmer, whisking occasionally. Do not let it boil vigorously.
Add Rose Water and Cool
Remove from heat, stir in the rose water, and let the mixture cool for about 5 minutes. It should still be warm but not scalding.
3Assemble and Bake
30m
Pour the Mixture
Gently pour the warm milk and cream mixture over the bread base in the baking dish. Use tongs to gently push down some of the nuts and sultanas to ensure they are submerged in the liquid.
Add Toppings
Sprinkle the toasted sliced almonds, pistachios, and sultanas evenly over the top of the bread pudding.
Bake the Om Ali
Bake in a preheated oven at 400°F (205°C) for 25-30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the milk mixture is bubbling around the edges.
4Serve
5m
Cool and Serve
Let the Om Ali cool slightly before serving. It can be served warm or at room temperature.
Tips
For a richer flavor, use a combination of whole milk and cream.
Ensure the bread is toasted until crisp to prevent it from becoming too soggy.
Adjust the amount of sugar to your preference.
You can add other nuts like walnuts or pine nuts for variation.