Cupcake Menorah
Hanukkah activity for kids that doubles as dessert

I think this Cupcake Menorah as a Hanukkah activity for kids is such a cute and easy idea. A perfect cupcake recipe for the holiday is Sufganiyot Cupcakes. For chocolate lovers, try this really easy 6-Minute Chocolate Cake Recipe. Of course, it also works with any boxed cake mix recipe and ready made frosting.

Make a healthier choice using these recipes for Banana Bread or Carrot Cake. Just bake them in muffin tins and spread these with cream cheese frosting when cool.

QITK tip:First, take a couple of minutes to read about the Hanukkah tradition of lighting the menorah.

Here's how to make this easy as 1-2-3 Hanukkah dessert:

1. Take any cupcake or muffin, decorate with frosting and sprinkles.

2. Place eight of the cupcakes on a long platter. In the center of the row place a pretty inverted drinking glass or small bowl. Set the shamash cupcake here.

3. Place a real candle in the center of each cupcake.

For an fire-free edible "candle":

~place a chocolate covered wafer stick such as Twix, Pirouline lengthwise in the center of each cupcake and make a "flame" with dab of white or yellow frosting on top

~dip pretzel sticks in melted white chocolate and top with a yellow or orange gummy candy

~cut Twizzlers to candle size and use icing to secure a candy flame

~Chanukah lollipops make a tempting topper

A Cupcake Menorah makes a creative, easy Hanukkah centerpiece and the kids will really enjoy watching their dessert flicker away throughout the meal. They may even stay at the table a bit longer!

More ways with Hanukkah cupcakes:

~for an adult version you can make the cupcake menorah using mini bundts and place a mound of frosting in the center to anchor the candle

~unfrosted cupcakes, muffins, mini bundt cakes freeze wonderfully, so make a batch now to have on hand for the holiday

~a simple elegant touch is to thread shimmery matching ribbons through the cupcakes on your platter

~ gold or silver foil or other decorative cupcake liners dress up your Hanukkah centerpiece

~slip a chocolate coin wrapped in gold foil into the center of each cupcake before icing for a sweet surprise

~involve the kids! Let everyone decorate their own cupcake. Each "candle" can be as unique as the child who created it