Okay, before you run away screaming, hear me out. This Egyptian sweet pastry dessert is totally delicious, easy to make, and uses really common ingredients. These desserts from Egypt are typically made with regular old puff pastry, milk and cream, coconut chips, sugar, almonds, and raisins. I buy my coconut chips at Trader Joe’s, but if you can’t find any, you can substitute shredded coconut.
How to Make Umm Ali
Step #1: Preheat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit (218 degrees Celsius). Tear the cooled puff pastry sheet into bite-sized pieces and lay them in a 9″ x 9″ baking dish. This dessert is essentially a delectable Egyptian bread pudding made from layers of pastry mixed with a variety of ingredients like nuts (such as almonds and pistachios), raisins, and sometimes coconut flakes. These components are soaked in a sweetened milk mixture. It’s often flavored with vanilla or cinnamon, and then baked until golden brown and bubbly. Step #2: Sprinkle the almonds, raisins, coconut chips, and sugar over the pastry. To reheat, cover with foil and warm in the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius) for about 10 minutes, or until heated through. Avoid microwaving, as it can make the pastry soggy.
