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Home » Festival Food » Kaju Modak / Cashew Modak

Kaju Modak / Cashew Modak

Published: Jul 21, 2021 · by Shilpa · Leave a Comment

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Kaju modak is a delicious take on this traditional modak and is simple to make too. You need just two main ingredients to make them - cashew and sugar. Saffron adds a beautiful golden hue along with its flavour making these easy modaks rich and decadent.

Kaju modak step-by-step recipe with photos.

Jump to:
  • What is kaju modak
  • Ingredients
  • Step by step instructions
  • Tips and tricks
  • Other modak recipes
  • Bonus
  • Recipe card

What is kaju modak

Modak is a traditional sweet similar to dumplings. According to Hindu mythology, it is considered the favourite dish of Lord Ganesha. It is usually made with rice flour or wheat flour and has a coconut and jaggery filling. I have earlier shared the recipe for traditional steamed modak, also known as ukadiche modak. You can find all the tips to make modak perfectly as well.

Kaju modak is a delicious take on this traditional modak and is simple to make too. You need just two main ingredients to make them - cashew and sugar. Saffron adds a beautiful golden hue along with its flavour making these easy modaks rich and decadent. Traditional modakums have a filling in them, and here I am using pistachio as the filling. You may skip it or use any nuts of your choice. If you do not have access to modak mould, you can shape them into a ball like a laddu. This modaka is ready in less than 30 minutes, making them perfect when you are busy with other festival preparations.

Try them this festive season for a decadent twist on a classic dessert.

Click here for my collection of over 40 Ganesh Chaturti recipes.

Ingredients

kaju modak ingredients with labels

Cashew: Cashew is ground into a coarse powder. It is important to take care not to turn it into cashew butter (see tips below).

Sugar: I use raw sugar to make the cashew modakum; however, plain sugar can also be used.

Saffron: Saffron adds not just flavour but also a beautiful golden hue to the modakas.

Ghee: I use homemade ghee to make them.

Pistachio: I use pistachio as the stuffing. You may either skip it or use any other nut of your choice.

Step by step instructions

Take cashew in a food processor or mixie jar and pulse into a powder {take care not to overprocess it} (steps 1,2).

Pass it through a sieve and remove any big pieces. Set the cashew powder aside (steps 3,4).

cashew modak steps 1-4.

Take sugar and water in a pan and bring it to boil. Reduce the heat to low, add saffron and ghee. Mix well (step 5).

Add the cashew powder and keep stirring (steps 6,7,8).

cashew modak steps 5-8.

Keep stirring until the mixture comes together (step 9).

To check if it is done, take a small piece of the mixture and roll it into a ball. It should form a soft non-sticky ball (step 10).

Let the cashew mixture cool down slightly (step 11).

Fill the modak mould with cashew mixture and press gently to create a dent in the middle (step 12).

kaju modak steps 9-12.

Add a few pieces of pistachio in the centre (step 13).

Add some cashew mixture on the filling and press it gently to seal the modak completely (step 14).

Unmould the cashew modak carefully (steps 15,16).

shape the modak steps.

Repeat with the rest of the mixture.

cashew modak

Tips and tricks

Pulse the cashew in small intervals taking care it does not turn into cashew butter.

The cashew can be ground into a slightly coarse powder but it is important to make sure there are no big chunks or pieces of cashew. To remove the chunks, pass the ground cashew through a large hole sieve. Take the big chunks and grind again.

I use ½ cup of sugar for 3 cups of cashew. This gives me a mildly sweet modak. If you prefer a sweeter modakas, increase the sugar to ¾ cup.

The cashew modakum is ready to be shaped when the whole mixture comes together and begins to leave the sides of the pan. To check, take a small portion of the mixture and roll it. It should easily come together to form a ball (see step by step instruction below).

Grease your hands with little ghee before shaping the modak to avoid the mixture sticking to your hands. Also, make sure you grease the modak mold before using it.

Pro-tip: For a vegan version of these modaks, replace ghee with any neutral cooking oil.

kaju modak

Other modak recipes

Here are some other modak recipes for you to try during Ganesha Chaturthi.

  • Ukadiche Modak | Modak Recipe
  • Fried Modak
  • Chocolate Modak
  • Dry Fruits Modak (No-cook recipe)

Bonus

This kaju modak is:
- rich and decadent
- easy to make and suitable for beginners
- ready in no time and doesn't involve making sugar syrup
- perfect for Ganesh Chaturthi

kaju modak

Recipe card

Kaju Modak | Cashew Modak

Kaju modak is a delicious take on this traditional modak and is simple to make too. You need just two main ingredients to make them - cashew and sugar. Saffron adds a beautiful golden hue along with its flavour making these easy modaks rich and decadent.
5 from 2 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Course Dessert
Cuisine Indian
Prep Time 15 mins
Cook Time 15 mins
Total Time 30 mins

Ingredients
  

  • 3 cups cashew
  • 1 teaspoon saffron
  • ½-¾ cup sugar
  • ½ cup water
  • 1 teaspoon ghee
  • 1 tablespoon pistachio

Instructions
 

  • Take cashew in a food processor or mixie jar and pulse into a powder (take care not to overprocess it)
  • Pass it through a sieve and remove any big pieces. Grind the big pieces again and pass it through the sieve
  • Take sugar and water in a pan and bring it to boil. Let the sugar melt completely
  • Reduce the heat to low, add saffron and ghee. Mix well
  • Add the cashew powder. Keep stirring until the mixture comes together
  • To check if it is done, take a small piece of the mixture and roll it into a ball. It should form a soft non-sticky ball. If it is sticky, continue stirring for a few minutes and check
  • Let the cashew mixture cool down slightly
  • While the mixture is warm, begin shaping the modak
  • Lightly grease the modak mould with ghee and close the mould
  • Fill the cashew mixture and press gently
  • Make sure the entire mould is covered and there is a gap in the center for the filling
  • Add a few pieces of pistachio
  • Add some cashew mixture and press it gently to seal the modak completely (see step by step pictures above)
  • Unmould the cashew modak carefully
  • Cashew modak is ready to be served
Nutrition Facts
Kaju Modak | Cashew Modak
Amount Per Serving
Calories 124 Calories from Fat 72
% Daily Value*
Fat 8g12%
Saturated Fat 2g13%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g
Monounsaturated Fat 4g
Cholesterol 1mg0%
Sodium 3mg0%
Potassium 114mg3%
Carbohydrates 12g4%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 8g9%
Protein 3g6%
Vitamin A 1IU0%
Vitamin C 1mg1%
Calcium 7mg1%
Iron 1mg6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
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