Bhakti D
Ganesh Chaturthi 2026 is just around the corner, and preparations for the celebrations have already begun. The very first thing that comes to our minds when we think of Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations is prasad—Modaks! My mother-in-law and I love preparing Modaks for our Bappa. Ukadiche Modaks have ruled our palates for so many years, and we love them so much. But it’s time to give our traditional recipe a little twist and add some new flavors to it.
I have listed six of my favorite Modak recipes that you must try this Ganesh Chaturthi.
6 Types of Yummy Modak Recipes for Ganesh Chaturthi
1. Bounty Chocolate Modak
Ingredients:
- 2 cups desiccated coconut
- 4 tbsp condensed milk
- 2 tbsp powdered sugar
- ½ tsp vanilla essence
- 1 cup melted dark chocolate
Process:
1. In a medium-sized bowl, mix the desiccated coconut, condensed milk, powdered sugar, and vanilla essence.
2. Grease a plate with butter or ghee. Pour the mixture onto the plate, flatten it with your palm, and refrigerate for half an hour.
3. Remove the mixture from the refrigerator, shape it into Modaks, and dip them into the melted dark chocolate.
4. Repeat the process for all the Modaks. Place them on a plate and refrigerate for 20 minutes.
2. Rose Modak
Ingredients:
- 2 cups grated mawa
- 3 tbsp gulkand
- 4 tbsp sugar
- 5–10 fresh rose petals, crushed (optional)
- 2 drops edible pink food color (optional)
Process:
1. Dry-roast the mawa for 2 minutes.
2. Add the sugar and roast again until the mixture becomes thick.
3. Add the gulkand and turn off the flame.
4. Add the crushed rose petals and edible pink food color.
5. Let the mixture cool. Once cooled, shape it into Modaks.
3. Puranache Modak
Ingredients:
- 1 cup Puran Poli stuffing (puran), for the Modak filling
- Kneaded wheat dough, for the outer covering
- Oil, for deep-frying the Modaks
- Ghee, for serving
Process:
1. Roll out a lemon-sized ball of dough into a thin 8-inch circle.
2. Place about 1 tsp of the puran stuffing in the center of each circle.
3. Bring the edges together and seal them by pinching the dough at the top.
4. Deep-fry the Modaks on low heat until golden brown.
5. Drizzle with ghee and serve hot.
4. Kalakand Modak
Ingredients:
- ½ cup fresh crumbled paneer
- ½ cup milk powder
- ½ cup whole milk
- 1 tsp cardamom powder
- A few saffron strands
- 2 tbsp ghee
- ½ cup sugar
Process:
1. In a thick-bottomed pan, add the paneer, milk powder, milk, saffron strands, and cardamom powder. Stir continuously over low heat for 5 minutes.
2. Add 2 tbsp of ghee and sugar. Continue stirring for 4 minutes, or until the mixture becomes slightly thick.
3. Turn off the flame and refrigerate the mixture for half an hour.
4. Remove the mixture from the refrigerator and shape it into Modaks using a Modak mould.
Tip: Homemade paneer tastes better than store-bought paneer. To make it at home, boil ½ litre of whole milk, add 1 tbsp of lemon juice, and boil for 1 minute. Strain the liquid and separate the paneer.
5. Besan Modak
Ingredients:
- 1 cup besan
- ¾ cup powdered sugar
- ½ cup ghee
- ½ tsp cardamom powder
- 2 tbsp crushed cashew nuts
Process:
1. In a thick-bottomed kadai, dry-roast the besan for 1 minute.
2. Add the ghee and roast again for 8 minutes, or until the mixture turns golden brown.
3. Add the powdered sugar, cardamom powder, and crushed cashew nuts. Mix all the ingredients evenly. If the mixture becomes too dry, you can add 2–3 tbsp of ghee.
4. Shape the mixture into Modaks using a Modak mould.
6. Dates and Dry Fruit Modak
Ingredients:
- 1 cup chopped black seedless dates
- ½ cup mixed dry fruits
- 2 tbsp ghee
Process:
1. In a heavy-bottomed pan, add 1 tbsp of ghee and the chopped dates. Roast them for 5 minutes over low heat.
2. Remove the roasted dates and place them on a plate.
3. Roast the dry fruits for 2 minutes. Transfer them to a grinder and coarsely grind them.
4. Add the roasted dates and grind them coarsely along with the dry fruits.
5. Add 1 tbsp of ghee and mix all the ingredients thoroughly.
6. Shape the mixture into Modaks using your hands or a Modak mould.
This Ganesh Chaturthi, let’s welcome Bappa with lots of love, devotion, and, of course, delicious homemade Modaks! From traditional Puranache Modaks to chocolate, rose, and dry fruit flavors, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Do try these recipes and add a little sweetness and creativity to your celebrations. Wishing you and your family a very happy and blessed Ganesh Chaturthi!
