• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Tasha's Artisan Foods

menu icon
go to homepage
  • No-Bake Desserts
  • Recipe Index
  • About Natasha
  • Subscribe
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • No-Bake Desserts
  • Recipe Index
  • About Natasha
  • Subscribe
×
Home > Recipes > Indian Desserts

By Natasha Minocha | Updated on September 19, 2024 2 Comments

Coconut Mawa Modak

5 shares
Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

For someone making coconut mawa modak for the first time, the sweet rapturous world of these stunning delicacies can be mind-boggling. Every recipe is more tempting than the next. If you’re in the same boat as me, save yourself from a lot of mouthwatering temptation and start with this easy modak recipe. 

Coconut Mawa Modak in a brass platter on a banana leaf.
Jump to:
  • What is modak?
  • Why You'll Love This Recipe
  • How To Make Coconut Mawa Modak?
  • Top Tips
  • How To Garnish The Modaks
  • Recipe FAQs
  • More Diwali Recipes
  • 📖 Recipe

What is modak?

Modak is an Indian sweet dumpling, typically made during Ganesh Chaturthi – the festival that celebrates the arrival of Lord Ganesh. It is believed modak was his favorite treat (hence the moniker modak priya).

The origins of it can be traced to Maharashtra, but today, modak is made in all parts of India. Each has a different name (kudumu in Telugu, mothagam in Tamil, modhaka in Kannada) and its own way to prepare it. 

Of the many variations, the most common ones are ukadiche modak and khavyache modak. The first is a steamed sweet dumpling made from rice flour and jaggery and grated coconut. The second is made from mawa or khoya and stuffed with nuts and dates. My recipe is an adaptation of it. 

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Easiest, no-fuss recipe ever

Uses just 4 ingredients

Fun project to include kids

A rich but not overly sweet treat

Looks so fancy and gorgeous!

How To Make Coconut Mawa Modak?

Start with the modak filling

  • Mix desiccated coconut with homemade marzipan and keep it aside.
marzipan and coconut filling in a blue bowl.

Make the modak shell

  • Over medium heat, cook grated mawa (khoya) with icing sugar and desiccated coconut.
  • In about 5 to 7 minutes, the mixture will melt, form a thick paste, and start to leave the sides of the pan.
  • At this point, take it off the heat and let it cool for a few minutes. 
Ingredients for making Coconut Mawa Modak.

Shape the coconut modak

  • Take your modak mold and very, very lightly grease it with ghee. 
  • By now, the mawa mixture will be cool enough to handle (but still warm).
  • Make a ball of it and place it into the closed mold using the gap at the bottom. 
  • With your finger, press the mixture around the mold edges so that it takes the right shape, and you have a hollow cavity in the center.
  • Now, place a small portion of your coconut filling in the cavity.
  • Press and pack it tightly, and then, using some more of the mawa mixture, close the base of the modak.
  • Open the mold, remove the modak, and repeat the process till you use up all the mixture. (If you follow my measurements, you’ll have about 22 modaks.)
  • Serve!
Steps for making Coconut Modaks.

Top Tips

  • It’s important to use the mawa mixture while it is still warm because that helps get the right shape. 
  • If the mawa/khoya mixture feels dry to you, add some milk to correct the consistency. 
Coconut Mawa Modaks in a brass platter.

How To Garnish The Modaks

The modaks need no garnishing. The melt-in-the-mouth creaminess of khoya, the slight crunch from the coconut, and the sweet, delicious almond-flavored marzipan are heavenly as-is. 

In case you’re in the mood for something more extravagant, sprinkle some finely chopped nuts or coat it with varak (silver leaf).

Recipe FAQs

Do I need to use marzipan in the modak filling?

I think that marzipan is a great fit in Indian mithais simply because it lends a gorgeous nutty flavor, uplifting that typical tempting taste of ghee.
But if you don’t have homemade marzipan (or can’t find it in a store), chop up the nuts of your preferenceand mix them with the desiccated coconut and dates to make the stuffing. 

What is mawa?

Mawa, khoya, or khoa is evaporated milk solids used copiously in Indian sweets. I also used it in my popular mawa cake recipe! You can make it at home or use store-bought, like I do.

Can I add other flavors to the coconut modak?

Yes, of course. I preferred to keep the modaks plain and let the nutty flavors from coconut and marzipan shine through. You can incorporate a few drops of rose water or even kewra water for a nice aromatic punch. 
Or you can include saffron in the recipe. Soak a few strands of it in warm milk and whisk it in when you cook the mawa mixture. 
Love to experiment in the kitchen? Add cocoa powder to make chocolate modaks. The possibilities of variations are endless with this treat. 

A cut half of a modak to show the filling on a platter.

More Diwali Recipes

  • Easy Homemade Gulab Jamun | How to make gulab jamun
    Easy Homemade Gulab Jamun
  • coconut cardamom peda Diwali Dessert Mithai Easy Recipe
    Coconut Cardamom Peda
  • Pumpkin Besan Burfi | Glutenfree chickpea pumpkin burfi
    Pumpkin Besan Burfi
  • Kaju Katli on a silver serving tray.
    Kaju Katli

Half the joy of cooking is sharing it with others. That’s why I’m always eager to hear from you. So go right ahead & drop a comment or reach out on Instagram, Pinterest, YouTube, or Facebook. I hope you love these coconut mawa modaks as much as we do!

📖 Recipe

Coconut Mawa Modak | Stuffed Mawa Modak | Marzipan stuffed Modak

Coconut Mawa Modak

Natasha Minocha
Coconut Mawa Modak - All it takes is 4 ingredients to make these delicious, melt-in-your-mouth treats. Marzipan filling in the center just takes it to another level!
No ratings yet
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes mins
Cook Time 10 minutes mins
Course Dessert
Cuisine Indian
Servings 22 Modaks
Calories 213 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 2.5 cups Khoya, grated or crumbled
  • 3/4 cup Desiccated coconut
  • 1/2 cup Icing sugar

Filling

  • 1/2 cup Marzipan
  • 1/4 cup Desiccated coconut

Instructions
 

Modak Filling

  • Mix desiccated coconut with marzipan and keep it aside.

Modak Shell

  • Over medium heat, cook grated mawa (khoya) with icing sugar and desiccated coconut.
  •  In about 5 to 7minutes, the mawa will melt, forming a thick paste, and start to leave the sides of the pan.
  • At this point, take it off the heat and let it cool for a few minutes. 
  • Take your modak mold and very, very lightly grease it with ghee.
  • Break a small piece of the mawa mixture and make a ball. Place it into the closed mold using the gap at the bottom. 
  • With your finger, press the mixture around the mold edges so that it takes the right shape, and you have a hollow cavity in the center.
  • Place a small portion of your coconut filling in the cavity.
  • Press and pack it tightly, and then, using some more of the mawa mixture, close the base of the modak.
  • Open the mold, remove the modak, and repeat the process till you use up all the mixture.
  • Your modaks are now ready to serve. Enjoy!

Nutrition

Serving: 1 ServingCalories: 213kcalCarbohydrates: 15gProtein: 7gFat: 14gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.5gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0.03gCholesterol: 6mgSodium: 97mgPotassium: 14mgFiber: 0.2gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 125IUVitamin C: 0.3mgCalcium: 189mgIron: 0.1mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

More Indian Desserts

  • Easy Homemade Malai Laddu
    Easy Homemade Malai Laddu
  • Easiest Coconut Burfi Recipe
    Easiest Coconut Burfi Recipe
  • Coconut Ladoo
    Coconut Ladoo
  • Besan Barfi Recipe (Besan Burfi)
    Besan Barfi Recipe (Besan Burfi)
5 shares

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Sharmila D. says

    October 07, 2021 at 8:36 am

    Wow these are so beautiful. I've never tried modak myself, but really keen to - will try with your recipe and let you know how it goes 🙂

    Reply
    • Natasha Minocha says

      October 07, 2021 at 5:13 pm

      Thank you, Sharmila! I hope you enjoy these as much as we did. xx

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

New-Cover-4-1024x934

I’m Natasha! I’m a self-taught baker and cook, sharing easy, fuss-free recipes that anyone can make with confidence. From breads and cookies to decadent desserts to simple meals, I hope you’ll find your next favorite recipe here.

More about me →

subscribe + receive

My 5 Most Viral Recipes


Popular Recipes

  • mushroom quiche on a platter with ingredients in the background.
    Mushroom Quiche
  • chocolate fudge squares stacked on top of each other on small plate.
    Chocolate Fudge With Condensed Milk
  • Easiest Homemade Cream Cheese | Homemade Cream Cheese Recipe
    Easiest Homemade Cream Cheese
  • Cinnamon Bread Pudding
    Cinnamon Bread Pudding
  • Korean Corn Cheese in a cast iron skillet.
    Korean Corn Cheese Recipe
  • Best Condensed Milk Bread Rolls (Soft & Fluffy)
    Best Condensed Milk Bread Rolls (Soft & Fluffy)

No-Bake Desserts

  • avocado chocolate mousse in a glass cup with 2 spoons on the side.
    Avocado Chocolate Mousse
  • Easy Lemon Tiramisu Recipe
    Easy Lemon Tiramisu Recipe
  • Mango Float Recipe
    Mango Float Recipe
  • Frozen Yogurt Bark on a white platter.
    Frozen Yogurt Bark - Easy Summer Recipe
  • Strawberry Tiramisu | Eggless Alcohol-free Strawberry Tiramisu Recipe
    Strawberry Tiramisu
  • Peanut butter Rice Krispie squares cut into pieces on parchment paper.
    Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Squares

See More No-Bake Desserts →

Footer

↑ back to top

subscribe + receive

My 5 Most Viral Recipes


Tasha’s Artisan Foods

About

Work With Me

Connect With Me

Browse Recipes

Desserts
Snacks
Breads
Cakes
Baking Guides

Published with WordPress

PRIVACY POLICY

COPYRIGHT © 2025 TASHA'S ARTISAN FOODS

5 shares

Rate This Recipe

Your vote:




A rating is required
A name is required
An email is required