Mawa Modak is a quick variation of traditional Modak that comes together in less than 30 minutes. These rich, delicious sweets are made with just mawa (khoya or evaporated milk solids), sugar and cardamom powder.

Recipe Snapshot

  • Prep time: 10 minutes
  • Cook time: 15 minutes
  • Total time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 9
  • Category: Sweets
  • Cuisine: Indian

Ingredients

  • 250 grams/ 1½ cups Mawa (– grated, (khoya or evaporated milk solids))
  • ½ cup sugar (or add as per taste)
  • ¼ teaspoon cardamom powder
  • 1 to 2 teaspoons ghee (or neutral oil for greasing the modak moulds)

Method

Cook Mawa

  1. Lightly grease the modak moulds with ghee or a neutral oil and set aside.
  2. Finely grate or crumble the mawa (khoya).
  3. Heat a pan over low heat and add the grated mawa. Stir continuously for about 1 minute until it begins to melt.
  4. Add the sugar and stir for another minute. The mixture will become loose and glossy.
  5. Once the mixture starts bubbling, add the cardamom powder.
  6. Continue stirring constantly over low heat until the mixture thickens and begins to leave the sides of the pan.
  7. Do not overcook, or the modak will become chewy and dense.
  8. Immediately transfer the mixture to a plate or tray and let it cool until it is warm.

Assemble & Make Mawa Modak

  1. While the mixture is still warm, gently knead it into a soft, smooth dough.
  2. Divide the dough into small balls.
  3. Place one ball in the greased modak mould and press it gently to fill the mould evenly.
  4. Carefully unmould and repeat with the remaining dough.
  5. Place the shaped modak on a lightly greased plate. You can also place them on a banana leaf or turmeric leaf.
  6. Offer the Mawa Modak to Bhagwan Ganesha as naivedya, or refrigerate and serve later.

Kiyaan Singh’s Kitchen Note

Keep this recipe as a working base: cook once as written, then adjust spice, texture, and serving style for your own table.