Om Ali is a traditional egyptian dessert that comprised of layers of pastry, nuts and cream, spiced with cinnamon and rosewater, in other words this is heaven in a plate. THis is a recipe that has been passed down from generations in my husband’s family – they do not use coconut or sultanas (and i don’t either) but I have added the options in there in case those ingredients take your fancy.

This is a highly warming and satisfying dessert – usually served after an equally decadent main meal with tea. I hope that you enjoy! happy dessert making everyone ! xx

• Ingredients

  for the pudding
  4 sheets frozen puff pastry
  3 cups chopped mixed nuts (hazlenuts, almonds, pistachios)
  1/2 cup of dessicated coconut (optional)
  1/2 sultanas (optional)
  1 1/2 cups white sugar
  1 -2 teaspoons cinnamon
  1 tablespoon rosewater (optional)
  5 cups milk
  1 cup heavy cream

  for the topping
  300 ml heavy cream (I like to use the Nestle canned cream for this recipe because the flavour reminds me of my childhood)
  1 tsp cinnamon
  2 tablespoons sugar

  Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

  2. Place the pastry sheets on a baking tray and place the dish in the oven. When the top layer turns crunchy and golden, remove it.

  3. In a bowl, combine nuts, coconut, sultanas,  1/2 cup sugar and cinnamon.

  4. Butter a 9 x 13 inch pyrex baking dish

  5. Break cooked pastry into pieces and Spread 3/4 of it evenly the  baking dish

  6. Tp this with the nut mixture and cover with the remaining 1/4 of the pastry on the top.

  7. In a saucepan, bring 4 cups milk, 1 cup cream and 1 cup sugar to scalding over medium heat. (scalding is just before it boils, where there are little bubbles at the side of the saucepan)

  8.  Pour the milk mixture over the dish and Spread evenly .

  9. Place dessert in the oven until all the liquid has been absorbed and it is starting to becoming golden  brown on the top

  10. Mix together the ingredients for the topping, remove the dessert from the oven and spread the topping evenly on it, then return to the oven until the top is golden brown.

  From my family to yours, enjoy and happy cooking!