DIY: Edible almond trees
Celebrate Israel’s first blooms of spring with this yummy treat!
Tu B’shevat comes at the very beginning of spring in Israel. Fruit trees feel the arrival of spring before people. As their roots awaken, the trees begin to drink water hidden deep in the earth, causing sap to rise up and flowers to bloom.
The Shk’eydeeyah, the almond tree, is among the very first trees to bloom each year in Israel. Blossoms begin flowering during the Hebrew month of Shevat (January / February in the United States), and the light pink flowers cover the mountains like a warm fuzzy blanket.
It’s special to eat fruits and nuts that grow in Israel during this time of year (and especially on Tu B’shevat)! We love celebrating Israel’s blooming almond trees with a sweet food craft - a DIY Edible Almond Tree - simple enough for even young children to make without much assistance.
To make an almond tree, you will need:
Rice Cake
Green Frosting
Pretzel sticks
Pretzel rod
Sprinkles
Almond slices
Popsicle stick or plastic spreading knife
Here’s how to make it:
Take the rice cake (top of the tree) and place it on a plate. Use your Popsicle stick to cover the rice cake with green frosting (leaves).
Place your pretzel rod in the middle of the rice cake to become the tree trunk. Next add your pretzel sticks (branches) to the rice cake. Finally, top the rice cake with sliced almonds and little candy sprinkles (almond blossoms).
Your almond tree is now ready! If you’d like, you can say a blessing before eating.
Ba-Ruch A-tah A-do-noi, Elo-hai-nu Me-lech Ha-o-lam, Bo-Rai Mi-nai Me-zo-not.
Let us know if you make your own edible almond tree in the comments below! All of the ingredients can be found with a kosher seal, so everyone can enjoy!
There are so many fun activities for families to do together to celebrate the month of Shevat and Jewish holiday Tu B’Shevat. Click here for DIY Beanie Baby Necklaces, Birthday of the Trees Nature Walk, DIY Recyclable Party Hats, Plant a Tree Seedling, Visit a Strawberry Farm and make a Tu B’Shevat Fruit Salad, and Planting Early Spring Peas for Passover.
Happy Shevat and Tu B’Shevat! ♥
~Jennifer
If you have a Tu B’Shevat Party, you can package up your Edible Amond Trees in brown lunch bags for all your guests to enjoy!
