Since making this very first challah topper back in 2020, I’ve gone a little…challah topper crazy. I’ve made paper ones, laser-cut wooden ones, ribbon ones, painted ones—you name it. My technique has definitely evolved over the years! But this is the OG. So I thought I’d leave it here (with a few updates) because it’s still such a sweet way to dress up a holiday challah.
You’ll Need
- Printer paper
- Heavy watercolor paper or cardstock
- A lightbox (optional, but helpful!)
- Watercolor or acrylic paint
- Cooking twine
- Two short wooden skewers
- Hot glue gun
Here’s the idea
Print the numbers of the new Jewish year in a large, simple sans serif font. (You’ll likely need to play around with the size depending on your challah, which is why I haven’t included a template.) Trace the numbers onto heavyweight paper, cut them out, and paint them however you’d like. Once they’re dry, hot glue them to a length of cooking twine, then tie each end of the twine to a wooden skewer. Finally, tuck the skewers into the highest points of your challah so the numbers drape across the loaf like a little banner.
That’s it! I hope this inspires you to make your own version—whether you recreate this one exactly or put your own spin on it. Shana tova!
