Ganesh Chaturthi is a time of great celebration in India, especially in Maharashtra and across the western coast. This festival honours Lord Ganesha and over 10 days, homes across India offer special dishes and sweets to the god in exchange for blessings and good fortune. One of the most common Ganesh Chaturthi dishes at almost every Ganpati party and celebration is the Modak. Traditionally made with a rice flour coating and a sweet centre of coconut and jaggery, Modaks are said to be one of Lord Ganesha’s favourite foods.
But if you’d like to add a special touch to your modak platter, you can try a modern spin on the traditional dish with a red velvet cake-inspired modak with cream cheese. Made with the goodness of Britannia The Laughing Cow Cream Cheese and delicious sweetness this dish takes inspiration from the classic modak and transforms it into a modern treat which will impress your guests at the next Ganesh Chaturthi party.
Red Velvet Modak – Serves 6
Prep Time: 30 minutes, Cooking Time: 15 minutes
This sweet modak is the perfect snack or dessert for Ganesh Chaturthi, featuring a sweet red velvet cake exterior with a soft, cream cheese centre.
Ingredients
For the Stuffing:
| Quantity | Ingredients |
| 3 tbsp | Britannia The Laughing Cow Cream Cheese |
| 2 tbsp | Icing sugar |
| 2 tbsp | Milk (for making the dip) |
For the Modak Dough:
| Quantity | Ingredients |
| 3/4 cup | Flour |
| 3/4 tbsp | Baking powder |
| 1/2 cup | Sugar |
| 1/4 cup | Vegetable oil |
| 1 cup | Buttermilk |
| 1/2 tsp | Edible red colour |
| 1 tsp | Cocoa powder |
Method
In a mixing bowl, blend 1/2 cup sugar and 1/4 cup vegetable oil until smooth. In a separate bowl, mix 1 cup buttermilk with 1/2 tsp red food colouring. Sieve together 3/4 cup flour, 3/4 tsp baking powder, and 1 tsp cocoa powder, then gradually fold this into the wet mixture until well combined.
Preheat the oven to 180°C. Grease a 7-inch round baking dish, pour in the batter, and bake for 40 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Let the cake cool completely.
For the filling, mix 3 tbsp Britannia The Laughing Cow Cream Cheese with 2 tbsp icing sugar. Set aside.
Once cooled, crumble the cake to form a soft dough.
Take a lime-sized portion of the dough, flatten it, and create a cavity in the centre.
Place 1 tsp of the cream cheese filling into the cavity, then seal and shape it into a modak. Repeat with the remaining dough.
For a dip, mix 2 tbsp milk with the leftover Britannia The Laughing Cow Cream Cheese filling. Enjoy the modaks as they are, or with the cream cheese dip.