Ganesh Chaturthi is a festival filled with devotion, joy, beautiful decorations, and, of course, delicious homemade sweets. Among all the festive treats prepared to welcome Lord Ganesha, Modak holds a special place.
Soft on the outside and filled with a fragrant mixture of coconut, jaggery, nuts, and cardamom, Steam Modak is a traditional Indian sweet that brings together simple ingredients and festive warmth. While Modak is prepared in many different ways across India, this recipe features the traditional rice flour version, commonly prepared during Ganesh Chaturthi. Making Modak at home is also a beautiful part of the celebration especially when family and friends come together to shape each one by hand.
This Ganesh Chaturthi, bring the festive spirit to your kitchen with this comforting Steam Modak Recipe, made with Bhumi Ghee and a delicious coconut-jaggery filling.
Steam Modak Recipe
For the Dough
Rice flour
Water
Milk
Bhumi Ghee
For the Filling
Fresh grated coconut – 1 cup
Jaggery – ¾ cup
Cardamom powder – ½ tsp
Chopped almonds
Chopped cashews
Bhumi Ghee
For Garnish & Serving
Kesar (saffron) strands
Banana leaf
How to Make Modak at Home
Step 1: Prepare the Coconut-Jaggery Filling
Begin by preparing the heart of the Modak. Heat Bhumi Ghee in a pan and add the fresh grated coconut.
Add jaggery and cook the mixture gently until the jaggery melts and blends with the coconut. Add cardamom powder, chopped almonds, and chopped cashews. Mix well and cook until the filling comes together while still retaining its soft, moist texture.
Set the filling aside and allow it to cool.
Step 2: Prepare the Modak Dough
In a pan, bring water and milk together to a gentle boil. Add the rice flour and mix carefully to form a soft dough.
Add Bhumi Ghee and continue mixing until the dough becomes smooth and pliable. Cover and let it rest briefly so that it is comfortable to handle
Step 3: Shape the Modaks
Take a small portion of the dough and gently flatten it into a small disc.
Place a spoonful of the coconut-jaggery filling in the centre. Carefully bring the edges together and shape the dough into the traditional Modak form, creating the characteristic pleats at the top.
Repeat until all the dough and filling are used.
Step 4: Steam the Modaks
Place the shaped Modaks on a banana leaf and steam them until the outer layer becomes soft and cooked through.
The gentle steaming keeps the Modaks delicate while allowing the coconut, jaggery, cardamom, and nuts inside to come together beautifully.
Step 5: Garnish and Serve
Once cooked, carefully remove the Modaks and garnish them with a few kesar (saffron) strands.
Serve them warm on a banana leaf and enjoy them as part of your Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations.
A Sweet Tradition for Ganesh Chaturthi
Modak is more than just a festive sweet. It is closely associated with Lord Ganesha and Ganesh Chaturthi, making it a cherished part of celebrations in many Indian homes.
From preparing the filling to shaping each delicate pleat, making Modak can turn into a joyful family ritual. The aroma of ghee, coconut, jaggery, and cardamom filling the kitchen is part of what makes the festival feel so special.
Whether you are preparing Modak as an offering or simply sharing it with family and friends, every bite carries the warmth of tradition.
Celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi with Homemade Modak
This Ganesh Chaturthi, gather your loved ones, prepare your favourite festive ingredients, and make these delicious homemade Modaks together. With a soft dough, rich coconut-jaggery filling, fragrant cardamom, and the goodness of ghee, they are a beautiful way to bring taste, tradition, and togetherness to the celebration.
Ganpati Bappa Morya! 🙏
