For devotees, bringing Bappa home is incomplete without a plate of modaks. But if you are looking for a festive sweet without refined sugar, Yasmin Karachiwala’s recipe offers a rather simple alternative.
The celebrity fitness trainer had shared her recipe last year, calling these her “Sugar-free, nutrient-packed Modaks!” on Instagram. Instead of using refined sugar, the recipe gets its sweetness from dates and dried figs, while cashews, almonds, walnuts and pistachios bring the richness.
And there is no elaborate cooking involved. The mixture simply needs to be prepared, shaped in a modak mould and chilled before serving.
How To Make Yasmin Karachiwala’s Modaks
Roast the nuts
Start with a handful each of cashews, almonds, walnuts and pistachios. Roast the nuts for a few minutes until they are lightly toasted.
Add around five to eight dates, depending on their size. Since the dates will provide sweetness to the mixture, there is no need to add refined sugar.
Add the figs
Take dried fig rings and soak them in water for about five minutes. Once softened, add them to the dates and roasted nuts.
Make the mixture
Grind the roasted nuts, dates and figs together until they come together into a soft, dough-like mixture.
The dates and figs help bind the ingredients while also adding natural sweetness to the modaks.
Add a festive touch
If you are using a modak mould, brush it lightly with ghee.
For an extra festive finish, place a few rose petals and sesame seeds at the base of the mould before adding the nut mixture.
Shape and chill
Fill the mould with the mixture and press it down firmly so that the modak holds its shape.
Place the mould in the freezer for around 10 to 15 minutes. Once the modaks have set, carefully remove them from the mould and serve.
A Naturally Sweet Take On The Festive Favourite
Traditional modaks come in several forms, from steamed rice-flour versions filled with coconut and jaggery to richer fried preparations. Karachiwala’s recipe takes a different route, using a combination of dried fruits and nuts instead.
The dates and figs provide the sweetness, while the roasted nuts give the modaks a dense, slightly chewy texture. Sesame seeds and rose petals add a little crunch and fragrance to the finished sweet.
In her Instagram post, Karachiwala wrote, “This Ganesh Chaturthi, let’s dilse enjoy celebrations with my Sugar-free, nutrient-packed Modaks!” The recipe also means you can prepare the mixture ahead of time and shape the modaks when needed, making it an easy option for festive gatherings.
Of course, “sugar-free” here refers to the absence of added refined sugar — dates and figs naturally contain sugars. So while these modaks skip refined sugar, they are still a sweet treat and can be enjoyed as part of a balanced festive spread.
