Shmelf is a new elf employed by Santa to look over the list of nice kids. He notices that some nice kids are not on the list for Christmas presents! When he asks why, Shmelf is told that these children are Jewish and they celebrate Hanukkah, a holiday when their parents give them eight nights of presents in honor of a miracle that happened a long time ago. Shmelf the Hanukkah Elf teaches children a simplified version of the celebration of Hanukkah in a fun way. 

Perfect for ages 3-6 years

Discussion Questions

1. What was Shmelf’s job?
2. What do Jewish children celebrate instead of Christmas?
3. What does a menorah have on it?
4. What were the children spinning?
5. What were the chocolate coins wrapped in?
6. Potato latkes were frying in what?
7. How many nights of presents were there?
8. What was the miracle?
9. What colors were Shmelf’s new clothes (the colors of Hanukkah)?
10. What was the name of his reindeer?
11. What kinds of things does Shmelf do to keep Hanukkah special?
12. What treats can be left out for Shmelf and his reindeer?

Ingredients for the Cupcakes

• 1/2 stick (2 oz, 1/4 cup) unsalted butter at room temperature
• 1/2 cup (117 g) granulated sugar 
• 1/4 cup (67 g) whole milk at room temperature
• 1/2 cup (112 g) Greek yogurt or sour cream at room temperature
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 1/4 cups (212 g) all purpose flour
• 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 2 large eggs at room temperature

Ingredients for the Custard/Pastry Cream

• 2 cups (480ml) half-and-half
• 6 large egg yolks, at room temperature
• 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup (31g) all-purpose flour (spoon & leveled)
• 1/4 cup (4 Tablespoons; 60g) unsalted butter, cut into 4 pieces
• 1 and 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

Ingredients for the frosting:

• 1/2 cup (4 oz, 1 stick) salted butter softened to room temperature
• 3 tbsp whole milk or heavy cream
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 8 drops LorAnn raspberry flavoring oil
• 3 cups (435 g) powdered sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon red food coloring (optional)
• 1/2 teaspoon purple food coloring (optional)

Instructions

1. Make the cupcakes: Preheat the oven to 325°F. In the bowl of a stand mixer on medium speed, cream together the sugar with the butter for 1 minute. Reduce speed to low and add sour cream, vanilla, and milk. In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, salt, baking powder, and baking soda. Drop the mixer to the lowest speed and slowly add the flour mix. Mix on low for 1 minute, then medium for 2 minutes. Drop back to low and add the eggs.
2. Allow to combine for about 1 to 2 minutes until the wet and dry ingredients seem fully incorporated. Stop the mixer to scrape down the insides of the bowl with a rubber spatula if anything is sticking to the bowl. Scoop into paper-lined cupcake tins about 2/3 full each. Bake for 17-20 minutes. Makes 1 1/2 dozen cupcakes. Allow to cool for 5 to 10 minutes.
3. When cupcakes have cooled 10 minutes, I used an XL round piping tip to scoop the centers out of the cucpakes, being careful not to remove the bottom. Leave about 1/2 inch of cake at the bottom.
4. Fill a zip top or piping bag with the pastry cream or vanilla cream and piping just to the top of the cupcakes.
5. For the frosting: In a stand mixer on medium speed, whip the butter with the raspberry flavoring oil on medium speed for 1 minute. Stop the mixer and add half the powdered sugar, plus the food coloring (optional). Start the mixer off slowly on the lowest speed, then as the powdered sugar disappears, add the milk, then increase the speed to medium-low. Slowly and carefully add the remaining powdered sugar a little at a time. Stop the mixer to scrape down the insides of the bowl with a rubber spatula. Mix until all are combined and pipe onto cooled, filled cupcakes.

What to Read Next:

Other children’s books about Hanukkah: Hanukkah Bear, The Story of Hanukkah, Dear Santa, Love, Rachel Rosenstein; Latke the Lucky Dog, Clifford Celebrates Hanukkah, Goodnight Bubbula, Meet the Latkes, Maccabee! The Story of Hanukkah,  Elmo’s Little Dreidel, Happy Hanukah Curious George, and more. 

© 2025 Amanda Lorenzo Block