Have you ever heard of Umm Ali dessert? This traditional Middle Eastern dish is a sweet and creamy treat that is sure to satisfy your sweet tooth. It is also known as Om Ali, which translates to “Ali’s Mother” in Arabic. Umm Ali is often considered the national dessert of Egypt and is enjoyed on special occasions and during festive seasons. It is a dessert that has been enjoyed for generations in Egypt and other parts of the Middle East.

So, what exactly is Umm Ali? At its core, Umm Ali is a bread pudding that is made with layers of phyllo dough, milk, cream, and nuts. The phyllo dough is layered with sweetened milk and cream, and then topped with nuts such as pistachios or almonds. The whole dish is then baked until golden brown and served warm.

One of the things that makes Umm Ali so special is its versatility. While the basic recipe calls for phyllo dough, milk, cream, and nuts, there are many variations that you can try. Some people add raisins or shredded coconut to the mix, while others use different types of nuts or spices.

But no matter how you choose to make it, Umm Ali is a dessert that is sure to impress. Its creamy texture and sweet flavor make it the perfect end to any meal. And because it’s so easy to make, it’s a great option for entertaining guests or bringing to a potluck.

The name was intriguing to me since the time I relished this dessert at an Iftar party in Baghdad. Some personal inquiry and online research revealed that it’s not the story of a royal chef preparing an innovative dish at the behest of a discerning king but of a murder and a rather cruel one! Weird and gory!

Om Ali has a rather alarming tale behind its creation. This delightful and filling pudding — made from bread, nuts, coconut, raisins, honey, and hot milk — was named after the wife of a ruler from the Ayyubid dynasty in Egypt.

The origin of Umm Ali is said to be rooted in Egyptian history. According to a popular story, the dessert was created during the Ayyubid dynasty in the 13th century. Legend has it that Umm Ali, the wife of an Egyptian ruler, prepared this dessert to celebrate the death of a sultan. She distributed the dish to the people, and it became a beloved dessert ever since.

The story goes back hundreds of years into Egyptian History. It took place during the Egyptian Mamluk era (1250-1517 CE), before the Ottomans rule of Egypt. As-Salih Ayyub (1205-1249 CE) of the Ayyubid dynasty, the Sultan of Egypt, purchased Shajar al-Durr as a bondmaid before he became Sultan. Shortly after, Shajar al-Durr gave birth to a son named Khalil, and As-Salih Ayyub made her a Sultana. They lived in Al Mansoura in Egypt’s Nile Delta. Shajar al-Durr was described by historians as a beautiful, pious and intelligent woman.

At that time, Egypt was under attack by the Crusaders when the Sultan died. Shajar al-Durr decided to conceal his death and led the country and army together with Turanshah, the Commander in Chief, and defeat the crusader forces. Shajar al-Durr gained power among the Mamluks who supported her as a Sultan and, in order to remain powerful, they conspired to assassinate Tarunshah to appoint Izz Al-Din Aybak as a Commander in Chief.

Struggling to earn respect from her predictably-all-male-peers, Shajar al-Durr married Izz al-Din Aybak, a warrior with Turkish roots, so that she could abdicate the throne and hand over her power to him. Her intention was to steer his decision-making, not to relinquish her influence. 

The new Sultan was, incidentally, already married. He was also insatiable, drunk on the reach of his newfound power. Within seven years, he sought to marry yet another powerful woman to expand his control. He decided to marry the daughter of Badr Al-Din Lo’alo’a, the Ayyubi Amir of Al-Mousel. Shajar al-Durr was very jealous, and she ordered her husband to be killed by one of her loyal servants. The newly widowed Shajar al-Durr claimed it was a sudden death, but Izz Al-Din Aybak’s first wife, Umm Ali, did not believe that and decided to avenge the death of her former husband and father of her child.

The 15-year-old al-Mansur Ali, the son of Aybak, was made the new Sultan and his mother, Umm Ali, ordered her bondmaids to kill Shajar al-Durr in revenge for stealing her husband and killing him as well as plotting against her son becoming the new Sultan. Shajar al-Durr was stripped and beaten to death by the bondmaids with Qubqab (wooden slippers) in the bathtub. Her naked body was found lying outside the Citadel. According to the historian Ibn Iyas, Shajar al-Durr was dragged from her feet and thrown from the top naked, with a cloth around her waist. She was later buried in a tomb.

In celebration, Umm Ali ordered the cook to create a new and delicious dessert and distribute it to everyone announcing that the dessert was celebrating the death of Shajar al-Durr. Not stopping at that, Umm Ali ordered that a Shajar al-Durr gold coin be placed in every dessert bowl for the people to have. All the people were happy with the delicious dessert, the gold coin and the reign of their new sultan, and his mother Umm Ali. They were chanting her name in thanks and called the dessert after her.

Umm Ali, the dessert became known as the dessert of celebrations in Egypt, the dessert is served at big events and in congratulating newlyweds, newborns, and in celebration of Ramadan too. Sadly, this delicious dessert actually celebrates the nasty death of Shajar al-Durr!

Umm Ali has gained international popularity over the years and can now be found in Middle Eastern restaurants and homes worldwide. Its simplicity and deliciousness make it a delightful treat for those with a sweet tooth and a love for Middle Eastern cuisine.