Om Ali, which translates to "Ali's Mother," is one of Egypt's most beloved desserts. This warm, creamy bread pudding is made with layers of flaky phyllo dough soaked in sweetened milk and studded with nuts and raisins, then baked until golden brown and topped with a layer of thick cream.

The dessert comes with an intriguing historical tale dating back to the 13th century. According to legend, it was created by Om Ali, the wife of a ruler, to celebrate the death of her husband's second wife who was her rival. She had the dessert distributed throughout Egypt, making it one of the country's first recorded desserts. While the dark origins may be surprising, the dessert itself has brought nothing but joy to generations of Egyptians.

Making Om Ali is relatively straightforward but requires attention to detail. The phyllo dough is broken into pieces and layered with a mixture of nuts (typically almonds, walnuts, and pistachios) and raisins. A mixture of hot milk, sugar, and vanilla is poured over the layers, allowing the dough to soak up the sweet liquid. The pudding is then topped with cream and baked until golden brown, creating a deliciously crispy top layer while maintaining a soft, creamy interior.

Modern variations of Om Ali have emerged to suit different tastes. Some versions use croissants or puff pastry instead of phyllo dough, while others add coconut flakes or different dried fruits. Some cafes serve it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an interesting temperature contrast, though traditionalists prefer it purely hot and fresh from the oven.

In Egypt, Om Ali is served year-round but is especially popular during Ramadan. It's typically enjoyed hot, straight from the oven, when the contrast between the crispy top and creamy interior is at its best. Many Egyptian households have their own special recipe, passed down through generations, with slight variations in the mix of nuts or the ratio of milk to cream.

While undeniably delicious, Om Ali is quite rich and caloric. A typical serving can contain 400-500 calories due to the combination of pastry, nuts, and cream. It's also not suitable for those who are lactose intolerant or following a gluten-free diet. However, some modern cafes offer dairy-free versions using almond or coconut milk. The nuts in the dessert provide healthy fats and protein, but those with nut allergies should be cautious and request a nut-free version if available.