How to Make Ukadiche Modak Recipe

Getting ready for Ganesh Chaturthi on August 26, 2025, and craving that perfect Ukadiche Modak? We know the feeling! Finding that authentic recipe can be tough, but don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. 

Our blog will walk you through it, step by step, so you can nail that traditional taste. Plus, Milkbasket makes it super easy to get all your ingredients delivered right to your door. Let’s bring those sweet childhood memories back!

Why is it called Ukadiche Modak?

The name “Ukadiche Modak” comes from the Marathi word “ukad”, meaning steamed or boiled. This traditional preparation method involves steaming rice flour dough filled with jaggery and coconut. The steaming process creates the characteristic soft, translucent outer layer that melts beautifully in the mouth.

Unlike fried modaks, Ukadiche Modak recipe preserves the delicate flavours through gentle steam cooking.

The ancient technique ensures the rice flour wrapper remains tender while cooking completely through. Steam cooking also makes these modaks lighter and easier to digest for everyone.

Maharashtrian families have passed down this Ukadiche Modak recipe through generations during Ganesh festivals.

The steaming method represents purity and simplicity that Lord Ganesha appreciates in offerings. Your homemade ukadiche modaks carry the blessings of traditional cooking methods and ancestral wisdom.

🧠 Did You Know: Lord Ganesha is called “Modakpriya” because modak is his absolute favorite food.

Ingredients for Perfect Ukadiche Modak

For the Outer Cover:

• 1 cup rice flour (preferably freshly ground)
• 1¼ cups water
• ½ teaspoon ghee
• ½ teaspoon salt

For the Sweet Filling:

• 1 cup freshly grated coconut
• ¾ cup jaggery (gud), grated
• 1 tablespoon ghee
• ½ teaspoon cardamom powder
• 2 tablespoons chopped almonds and cashews (optional)

Milkbasket’s online milk delivery ensures you get fresh milk and dairy products for an authentic taste. Deliver groceries like coconut, jaggery, and rice flour directly to your doorstep for convenience. 

Fresh ingredients make the biggest difference in your Ukadiche Modak recipe’s success rate significantly. For complete festival preparations beyond just modak ingredients, check out our comprehensive Ganesha festival shopping list to ensure you don’t miss anything essential.

🌞 Fun fact: In ancient times, modaks were offered to Ganesha because their sweet taste symbolizes the sweetness of achieving moksha (liberation).

Step-by-Step Ukadiche Modak Preparation

Making the Sweet Filling:

• Heat ghee in a heavy-bottomed pan.
• Add grated coconut and sauté gently on medium heat for 2-3 minutes, until fragrant.
• Incorporate grated jaggery and mix thoroughly.
• Cook the coconut-jaggery mixture, stirring continuously to prevent burning.
• Continue cooking until the mixture thickens and the water evaporates.
• Add cardamom powder and chopped nuts when the mixture starts leaving the pan sides.
• Cook until the filling is thick enough to hold its shape when cooled.
• Check for the perfect consistency by forming small balls; the mixture should not stick.
• Cool the filling completely before using it in your Ukadiche Modak recipe preparation process.

🌞 Fun fact: Maharashtra alone has over 21 different varieties of modak, but Ukadiche Modak remains the most traditional and beloved.

Preparing the Rice Flour Dough:

• Boil water with salt and ghee in a heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat.
• Reduce the heat to low and gradually add rice flour, stirring continuously to prevent lumps.
• Cook, stirring constantly, until a smooth, lump-free dough forms that pulls away from the pan sides.
• Cover the dough with a damp cloth and let it cool to handle safely.
• Knead the cooled dough gently until it becomes smooth, soft, non-sticky and pliable.

Shaping and Steaming Process:

Oil your hands lightly and take small portions of dough to form smooth balls. Flatten each ball into thin circles using your palms or a small rolling technique. Place a spoonful of cooled filling in the center of each flattened circle.

Gather the edges of the rice flour circle and seal them at the top carefully. Shape each modak to resemble Lord Ganesha’s favorite dumpling with pointed tops and rounded bottoms.

Ensure no cracks appear in the outer covering to prevent filling from leaking.

Steam the shaped modaks in a steamer for 12-15 minutes over medium heat continuously. The rice flour covering becomes translucent when properly cooked through the steaming process completely.

Your Ukadiche Modak recipe creates beautiful, restaurant-quality results when steamed with proper timing and technique.

Pro Tips for Perfect Ukadiche Modak

• For the best texture and taste, use freshly ground rice flour in your modaks.
• Online food shopping through Milkbasket ensures you get quality ingredients delivered fresh daily.
• Store-bought rice flour can sometimes lead to a dense, chewy texture instead of a tender, soft covering.
• Keep the dough covered with a damp cloth to prevent it from drying out during the shaping process.
• Work quickly and carefully when assembling modaks to maintain the dough’s flexibility and prevent cracking.
• Using room temperature filling makes handling and shaping easier.
• Steam modaks immediately after shaping to preserve their form and prevent the dough from drying.
• Serve warm ukadiche modaks with ghee drizzled on top to enhance the flavor and presentation.
• Mastering the Ukadiche Modak recipe improves with practice and attention to detail.

Make the Perfect Ukadiche Modak With Milkbasket

This traditional Ukadiche Modak recipe brings authentic Maharashtrian flavors to your Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations perfectly. With practice and quality ingredients, you’ll master this beloved festival sweet recipe easily. Your homemade modaks will become the highlight of your festive offerings and family gatherings.

Milkbasket supports your festival cooking with reliable online grocery delivery services available throughout Mumbai. With over 10,000+ items from groceries to daily essentials, deliver groceries becomes effortless for busy households. 

Download the Milkbasket app, modify your cart by midnight, and receive silent doorstep milk and grocery delivery by 7 AM daily.

FAQ

1. What is Ukadiche Modak made of?

Ukadiche Modak recipe uses rice flour for the outer covering and coconut-jaggery filling inside. The steamed dumplings combine simple ingredients like water, salt, ghee, cardamom, and optional nuts. Fresh, quality ingredients sourced through Milkbasket’s grocery shopping delivery ensure authentic taste and texture.

2. What are the ingredients to make modak?

Essential ingredients include rice flour, water, salt, ghee, fresh coconut, jaggery, and cardamom powder. Optional additions like chopped almonds, cashews, or raisins enhance flavor and nutritional value significantly.

3. How many minutes to steam Ukadiche Modak?

Steam Ukadiche Modak for 12-15 minutes over medium heat for perfect cooking throughout. The rice flour covering becomes translucent and tender when properly steamed for an adequate time. Overcooking makes them tough, while undercooking leaves a raw flour taste in the final preparation.