DIY: Edible cookie menorah
Celebrate Hanukkah by making (and eating) a cookie menorah!
Hanukkah celebrations wouldn’t be complete without lighting the Hanukkah menorah (also called Hanukiyah). We light the menorah in the evening at sunset when the stars first appear in the sky. The menorah lights are simply there for us to enjoy. They are not used for anything, not even to light another candle. This is why we have a special helping candle - the shamash - which we use to light the others. We begin with one candle on the first night, and then each night, we add another candle for a total of eight nights - 44 candles in all. Each night our happiness increases as we add more light (and love!) into our homes.
A fun family Hanukkah activity is to make your very own edible cookie menorah! They’re sweet and crunchy, and the bright colored cereal candles and candy flames remind me of the small blue boxes of Hanukkah candles from Israel that you can purchase at the grocery store. So let’s go make a cooke menorah!
Edible Cookie Menorah
Here’s what you need for each cookie menorah (these ingredients are Kosher too - so everyone can enjoy)!
For each cookie menorah:
2 long wafer cookies (they come in different flavors - chocolate, strawberry and vanilla)
Frosting or cream cheese
9 blunt toothpicks
A handful of colored cereal circles like Tutti Frutti or Fruit Loops
9 Mike and Ike Candies
Popsicle stick for spreading frosting
Here’s how to build your cookie menorah:
1. Gather your ingredients.
2. Spread the frosting on the cookies to “glue” them together.
3. With the help of an adult, gently poke the 9 toothpicks on top of the two cookies.
4. Stack cereal circles onto each toothpick The cereal stacks will become the Hanukkah “candles!” This is also a good activity for fine motor skills.
5. Leave a little space on top of the cereal “candle” to stick in the candy “flame.” This might be a little tricky for small children, so parents can help!
There you have it - an edible cookie menorah to enjoy anytime during Hanukkah!
If you’d like, you can recite a blessing before you eat your cookie menorah. You can say,
Ba-ruch A-tah A-do-noi, Elo-hai-nu Me-lech Ha-o-lam, Bo-rai Mi-nai Me-zo-not
If you light the menorah with your family during Hanukkah, remember to enjoy the light. You can set aside homework or chores during the time they are burning. Just relax and maybe even snack on a cookie menorah!
Let us know if you make one in the comments below! For more fun in the kitchen with your littles during Hanukkah, we have simple and delicious sufganiyot (doughnuts) recipe, a special DIY Hanukkah chef’s hat, a super cute and smiley DIY Felt Hanukkah menorah with felt candles and adorable DIY Dream Dolls, especially sweet for the month of Kislev! All of our Hanukkah activities can be found on our Hanukkah Round-up!
We hope your Hanukkah is filled with light, love and cookie menorahs! Happy Hanukkah!
~Jennifer
