Ganesh Chaturthi Special: Make Soft and Delicious Ukadiche Modaks at Home for Bappa

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Mon Sep 07 14:46:14 IST 2026
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Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated with immense enthusiasm across India, especially in Maharashtra. During the festival, devotees bring Lord Ganesha home, decorate pandals and offer prayers accompanied by drums, music and traditional celebrations.

Among the many delicacies prepared for Bappa, modak holds a special place. Traditional Ukadiche Modak, made with a soft rice-flour covering and a delicious coconut-jaggery filling, is one of the most popular festive offerings.

If you want to prepare authentic homemade modaks for Ganesh Puja, try this traditional recipe.

Ingredients for the Modak Filling

  • 1 tablespoon ghee

  • ½ tablespoon poppy seeds

  • 5–6 chopped cashews

  • 5–6 chopped almonds

  • 3 cups grated coconut

  • A pinch of salt

  • 1½ cups jaggery

  • ¼ teaspoon nutmeg powder

  • 1 teaspoon cardamom powder

Ingredients for the Dough

  • 1½ cups water

  • ½ cup milk

  • A pinch of salt

  • 1 tablespoon ghee

  • 1 tablespoon sago flour

  • 2 cups fine rice flour

  • Extra ghee for kneading

For Garnishing

  • A pinch of saffron soaked in milk

  • Silver leaf, optional

How to Prepare the Coconut-Jaggery Filling

  • Heat ghee in a pan and lightly roast the poppy seeds, chopped cashews and almonds.

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  • Add the grated coconut and sauté gently for around 4–5 minutes.

  • Add the jaggery and mix everything well.

  • Cook until the jaggery melts completely and the mixture becomes slightly dry.

  • Add cardamom and nutmeg powder and mix well.

  • Turn off the heat and allow the filling to cool completely.

    • How to Prepare the Rice-Flour Dough

  • Heat the water and milk in a pan.

  • Add salt and ghee, followed by the sago flour.

  • Gradually add the rice flour while stirring continuously to prevent lumps.

  • Cover the pan and cook the mixture over low heat for about 5 minutes.

  • Remove it from the heat and allow it to cool slightly.

  • Add a little ghee and knead the mixture into a soft, smooth dough.

    • How to Shape Ukadiche Modaks

  • Divide the dough into small, lemon-sized portions and roll each portion into a ball.

  • Dust with a little rice flour and flatten each ball into a small puri.

  • Place a spoonful of the prepared coconut-jaggery filling in the centre, leaving enough space around the edges.

  • Using your fingers, carefully create small pleats around the edge of the dough.

  • Bring the pleats together at the top and gently seal the modak.

  • Repeat the process with the remaining dough and filling.

    • Steam the Modaks

    Place the prepared modaks in a steamer and steam them until the outer covering becomes soft and cooked through. Once done, carefully remove them and garnish with a little saffron-infused milk or silver leaf, if desired.

    Serve the warm modaks as a traditional offering to Lord Ganesha.

    Make Bappa's Favourite Sweet at Home

    Soft rice-flour modaks filled with coconut, jaggery, nuts and aromatic spices are a wonderful way to bring traditional festive flavours to your Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations. With a little patience while preparing the dough and shaping the pleats, you can make delicious Ukadiche Modaks at home

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