Egyptian Bread Pudding Recipe Using Phyllo Dough

 One of the simplest and heartiest Middle Eastern desserts is Egyptian bread pudding. Made of phyllo dough, this is a light and satisfying dish.

 

Bread pudding has been made in numerous cultures for centuries as a way to use pieces of old or stale bread. Egyptian bread pudding is no exception to this rule, but rather than using stale bread it uses dried or crumbled pieces of phyllo pasty dough.

Phyllo Dough

Phyllo dough is made of extremely thin sheets of dough which are layered together in many types of Middle Eastern cooking. The dough is difficult to work with, particularly for amateurs and can crumble apart easily at a touch.

The dough is unleavened and typically made of wheat flour. It can be found in the frozen food section of many grocers or made at home. Since phyllo pastry dough is notoriously difficult to work with, those using it for the first time may find that Egyptian bread pudding is the perfect solution; if the dough falls apart it is ready to be layered into this tasty Egyptian dessert.

Phyllo Dough Recipe

Use this basic phyllo dough recipe as the base of this bread pudding, or use it to make baklava, spinach pies or other foods in Middle Eastern cuisine.

Egyptian Bread Pudding Recipe

Ingredients

• 12 sheets of freshly baked phyllo pastry broken into small pieces
• 2 cups of milk
• 1 cup of cream
• 1 egg beaten
• 2 tablespoons rose water or the flavored water of your choice
• 1 cup chopped pistachios
• 1 cup raisins
• 1 tablespoon cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground cardamom

Instructions

1. Combine the milk and cream in a saucepan on the stove.
2. Bring the milk mixture to a simmer.
3. Add in the beaten egg and the flavored water of your choice.
4. Cook slowly until the mixture thickens into a custard.
5. Butter a baking dish and layer the phyllo pieces with nuts and raisins, ending with a layer of phyllo.
6. Pour the custard over the top of the phyllo and place in an oven heated to 400 degrees.
7. Bake for 20 minutes until golden brown and dust with cinnamon and cardamom.
8. Serve warm.

The word for this dish in Egyptian is Omm-alli, which means Ali's Mother. It is meant to inspire warm and comforting thoughts. Serve it to those you love.