Umm Ali♪ Explaining its origins, history, and how to make it! [Egyptian Cuisine]

Have you heard of a dessert called Umm Ali?

Originating in Egypt, this dessert has now become widely enjoyed throughout the Middle East for its unique flavor.

It is one of Egypt's classic desserts and an indispensable item during the Islamic fast.

This article explains the history and how to make Umm Ali!

Please watch until the very end!

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What kind of dish is Umm Ali?

Umm Ali (also known as Om Ali) is a traditional dessert beloved throughout the Middle East.

Small pieces of bread or puff pastry are topped with milk, sugar, cream, raisins, nuts, and other ingredients, then baked.

Such Umm Ali is characterized by its overall sweetness and the rich flavor of milk.

Bread and puff pastry absorb milk to become soft and tender, while nuts add a satisfying crunch.

Additionally, ingredients like cinnamon, rose water, vanilla, and cardamom may be added, and the distinctively Middle Eastern flavor profile is another appealing aspect.

A sweet and creamy dessert, it is also said to resemble bread pudding.

The name Umm Ali means “Ali's mother” in Arabic.

Various theories exist regarding its origin, including one that it was named after a woman named “Um Ali,” and a folk tale that Um Ali created this dessert for celebrations, leading to its widespread popularity.

While there is no explicit description, the common point is that it originated in Egypt.

Therefore, Umm Ali was originally a traditional dessert enjoyed in Egypt.

However, it is now widely eaten in the Middle East, including Saudi Arabia and Jordan.

It is also served during Muslim festivals and special occasions.

The History of Umm Ali

There are several origins of Umm Ali, each passed down as a story.

Among them, I will introduce the most famous theory.

Going back to 13th-century Egypt.

During this period, there was a power struggle within the court concerning Izz al-Din Aybak, the first Mamluk sultan of Egypt, and his wives.

According to legend, Umm Ali, the first wife of Aibak, emerged victorious in a dispute with his second wife.

It is said that they celebrated their joy by making sweet desserts from readily available ingredients such as bread, nuts, and milk, and distributed them widely to the people.

This dish later became known as “Umm Ali,” named after his wife.

However, these stories are told as oral traditions without any written records.

The actual description of Umm Ali is believed to be from a recipe dating back to around the 19th century.

After that, Umm Ali became widely loved throughout Egypt and eventually spread to other regions of the Middle East.

Variations with regional adaptations exist, particularly in Gulf countries, Jordan, and Iraq.

For example, Jordan and Iraq also have a similar dessert called “Khumaiaa”.

Muslims and Umm Ali

Additionally, there is a connection to religion.

Muslims observe “sawm” (fasting) during the month of Ramadan from sunrise to sunset.

The first meal eaten after Sawm is called Iftar, a meal shared with family and friends to celebrate a sense of accomplishment and unity.

Umm Ali is served as a dessert after iftar.

It is also favored at celebratory occasions such as weddings and festivals, where its sweetness and rich texture have become established as a “symbol of festive gatherings”.

Umm Ali's Trivia & Fun Facts

① Relationship with “Bread Pudding”

Similar to Western “bread pudding,” Umm Ali is characterized by its use of pastry dough or_ filo dough (thin pastry dough) instead of eggs.

Therefore, it is recognized not merely as a “Middle Eastern version of bread pudding,” but as a unique dessert with its own distinct texture.

Additionally, traditional Umm Ali uses puff pastry or bread dough, allowing you to enjoy a dual texture of a crispy top and_ a creamy bottom.

That's why its “effortless yet complex flavor”—something not found in classic Western bread puddings—is also one reason for its popularity.

② World Record Challenge for Giant Umm Ali!

In 2013, a giant Umm Ali measuring over 15 meters in length and weighing over 7 tons was cooked as part of an Egyptian tourism promotion event.

Over 450 chefs participated, creating a massive Umm Ali using thousands of liters of milk and hundreds of kilograms of nuts.

Although it was not officially recognized by Guinness World Records, the completed giant Umm Ali was distributed for charity, making it a event that aimed for Guinness World Record certification and_ garnered significant attention.

③ Cultural and contemporary arrangements

Traditional Umm Ali contains nuts and raisins, but modern restaurants have created various adaptations.

In modern cafes in the Middle East, you might find creative desserts like “Umm Ali” or_ “Ali Nafso” served as “brother-sister desserts” from Umm Ali.

These follow the base of Umm Ali while offering a unique style that incorporates flavors of halawa (sesame candy) and karak tea (a sweet, rich spiced milk tea unique to the Middle East).

Other versions exist where ice cream or whipped cream is added as a topping at restaurants and_ similar establishments.

④ Why Umm Ali is Beloved

There are several reasons why Umm Ali is beloved, and it can be said that these reasons fit together perfectly.

This section will explain the reasons for each in turn.

1. Materials are “readily available anywhere.”

The basic ingredients for Umm Ali are very universal.

It has long been available everywhere, from Egypt and the Levant to the Arabian Peninsula.

Especially nuts, dairy products, and wheat were common ingredients throughout the Middle Eastern trade network, making it a dessert that could be easily recreated even when moving to new lands.

2. No eggs used

A major feature of Umm Ali is that it is an egg-free baked dessert.

The reason this spread is that,

• Even in times when eggs were precious and expensive, it could be made.
• Gentle on the stomach even in situations with dietary restrictions (such as after fasting).
• No explanation is required from a halal perspective (as animal-derived gelatin and similar ingredients are not used).

These are some examples.

Especially after iftar during Ramadan,

• Sweetly
• Warmly
• Relatively easy to digest

This feature proved invaluable.

3. The narrative of “celebratory cuisine”

Regardless of whether it's historical fact or not,

• Victory at Court
• Share joy with others
• Served at a celebration

A tale called “The Dessert of the Celebration Banquet” has been passed down through the generations.

Furthermore, in Middle Eastern culture, sweets strongly symbolize joy and celebration, while sharing food represents virtue and good deeds.

Therefore, it became popular as a dish that is easy to serve at weddings, celebrations, and_ when entertaining guests.

How to Make Umm Ali

Ingredients (Serves 3–4)

Fabric-based

• Phyllo dough or frozen pie crust … approximately 100–150g
  ※Some households substitute croissants or sliced bread.

Milk-based

• Milk … 400ml
• Whipping cream … 100ml (if you want to add richness)
• Sugar … 3 to 5 tablespoons (adjust sweetness to taste)
• Vanilla extract … a little (optional)

Nuts and Dried Fruits

• Almonds (sliced or coarsely chopped)
• Pistachio
• Walnut
• Raisins
  ※Total weight: approximately 50–80g; adjust to taste

Flavoring (optional)

• Cinnamon
• Cardamom
• Rose water or orange blossom water (a few drops)

How to make them

① Bake the dough

1. Lightly bake filo dough or pie crust to make it crispy.
2. Break into bite-sized pieces with your hands

Cooking thoroughly here achieves a texture that's crispy on the outside and meltingly soft on the inside.

② Warm the milk

1. Add milk, heavy cream, and sugar to the pot.
2. Warm over low to medium heat, dissolving the sugar (do not boil).
3. Turn off the heat and add vanilla or other flavorings.

③ Overlay

In a heatproof dish

1. Fabric
2. Layer nuts and raisins,
   then pour plenty of warm milk over them.

※Just enough to cover the ingredients—slightly submerged is the guideline.

④ Bake

• Bake in a 180°C oven for 15 to 20 minutes
• Once lightly browned on the surface, it's done.

Many households also sprinkle additional nuts on top as a finishing touch.

Summary

How was it?

This article introduced Umm Ali, a popular traditional dessert in the Middle East!

This dessert has become intertwined with religion and modern culture over time.

And now it has become widely popular throughout the Middle East, extending beyond Egypt.

While this dish has multiple theories about its origins and remains somewhat mysterious, its unique appeal—crispy, creamy, and richly sweet—is truly unmatched.

Please savor this dish along with its cultural background!

Thank you for watching until the very end!

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