A dreidel that’s delish

The dreidel, a four-sided spinning top adorned with Hebrew letters, is a familiar symbol this time of year for the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah. Also known as the Festival of Lights, the eight-day celebration commemorates the cleansing and rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem by the Maccabees after their victory over the Syrians in 165 B.C.

Hanukkah usually occurs in December but sometimes falls in late November. This year’s celebration is already under way and will end on Monday evening.

To help kids of all faiths learn more about Hanukkah, Nicole and Ryan Higa, artists and educators at the Honolulu Museum of Art, provided instructions on how to make an edible version of the dreidel that transforms the game piece into a tasty treat.

“We chose to focus on Hanukkah for the project because a lot of holiday activity tends to revolve around Christmas, and we wanted to have some diversity,” said Ryan Higa.

Families can make the dreidels at home or at the Honolulu Museum of Art’s Spalding House Family Sunday on Dec. 20.

Edible Holiday Dreidels

12 Hershey’s Chocolate Kisses

12 large marshmallows

12 thin stick pretzels

1/4 cup Nutella

8 ounces melted semisweet chocolate

White royal icing and candy sprinkles for decoration (optional)

Cut a small slit on the bottom of each marshmallow and insert a pretzel stick. Spread Nutella on the opposite end of each marshmallow and attach a chocolate kiss. Dip each marshmallow into melted chocolate and set on a baking sheet lined with parchment. Decorate with candy sprinkles or write Hebrew letters on each side with royal icing.

Nutritional information unavailable.

SHINE ON!

Children can decorate gingerbread cookies or a make glass candle holders during the Bank of Hawaii Family Sunday event at Honolulu Museum of Art from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 20. Families can take a shuttle bus to Spalding House in Makiki Heights for additional activities or enjoy a viewing of the “Shaun the Sheep Movie” at the Doris Duke Theatre. Visit honolulumuseum.org.