Egyptian bread pudding with puff pastry and nuts
Umm Ali
Prep Time
15 min
Cook Time
25 min
Total Time
40 min
Servings
8
1 baking dish (9x13)
Difficulty
Easy
Cost
Moderate
$$
Recipe at a Glance
Egypt's most beloved dessert—flaky puff pastry soaked in sweetened milk with nuts, raisins, and coconut, baked until golden and bubbling. The ultimate warm, creamy comfort dessert.
Cuisine: Various
Category: Dessert
Difficulty: Easy
Cost: $$
Dietary: Vegetarian
Quick Summary
40 min total time|8 servings|Easy difficulty
Egypt's most beloved dessert—flaky puff pastry soaked in sweetened milk with nuts, raisins, and coconut, baked until golden and bubbling. The ultimate warm, creamy comfort dessert.
Vegetarian
Sarah Chen
(Updated )
Umm Ali (Mother of Ali) is Egypt's answer to bread pudding, but made with layers of puff pastry instead of bread. The result is richer, flakier, and more indulgent than any bread pudding you've had.
Life is better with dessert, and this recipe proves that homemade always beats store-bought. The results are worth every minute.
Ingredients
- 1 sheet puff pastry, baked and crumbled
- 4 cups whole milk
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup each: pistachios, almonds, raisins, coconut flakes
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- 1
Bake puff pastry according to package directions until golden. Cool and crumble into pieces.
- 2
Heat milk, sugar, and vanilla until sugar dissolves. Remove from heat.
- 3
Scatter crumbled pastry in a 9x13 baking dish. Sprinkle nuts, raisins, and coconut over the pastry.
- 4
Pour warm sweetened milk evenly over everything. Drizzle heavy cream on top.
- 5
Bake at 400°F for 15 minutes, then broil for 2-3 minutes until the top is golden and bubbly. Serve warm.
Serving Suggestions
Ways to Serve This Dish
Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream
Dust with powdered sugar or drizzle with chocolate sauce before serving
Substitutions
Puff pastryDay-old croissants, torn
Easier and equally delicious
Whole milkCoconut milk
Rich dairy-free version
Tips & Storage
Pro Tips
Use day-old croissants as a shortcut in place of baked puff pastry.
Serve immediately while hot and bubbling for the best experience.
Measure baking ingredients by weight when possible. Baking is chemistry, and precision matters more than in any other type of cooking.
Bring butter, eggs, and dairy to room temperature before mixing. Cold ingredients do not emulsify properly and can produce tough, uneven results.
Storage
Store at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for up to a week. Most baked goods can be frozen for up to 3 months — wrap tightly in plastic wrap then foil.
Reheating
Most baked goods are best at room temperature. If frozen, thaw in the refrigerator overnight then bring to room temperature. Some items benefit from a brief warm-up in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes.
Nutrition Facts
Per serving (35mg) · 8 servings
Calories340
LowModerateHigh
A moderate-calorie serving · based on a 2,000 cal daily diet
Protein8g
Carbohydrates18g
Fat38g
Fiber200mg
Sugar2g
Sodium24g
Nutritional values are approximate and may vary based on specific ingredients and preparation methods.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I use phyllo dough?
- Yes, bake phyllo sheets with butter until crispy, then crumble and use in place of puff pastry.
- Is it served hot or cold?
- Always hot, straight from the oven while bubbling and golden.
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About Sarah Chen
Sarah Chen is a professional recipe developer and food editor with over a decade of experience in test kitchens and food media. She trained at the Culinary Institute of America before spending six years developing and testing recipes for national food publications, where she honed her ability to translate restaurant techniques into approachable home cooking. At RecipePool, Sarah leads recipe development, ensuring every dish is tested at least three times for clarity, accuracy, and genuine deliciousness. When she is not in the kitchen, she is browsing farmers markets and collecting vintage cookbooks.
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