The ancient Greeks were the most talented architects in the ancient world; many of their temples throughout the Mediterranean remain tourist attractions today. You can make your own temple with supplies that you most likely have waiting in your pantry (or that you can easily find at the grocery store). It may not be quite as impressive as the real thing, but it'll be twice as delicious!
What You Need:
- Your favorite cake mix and all ingredients called for in the recipe
- 2 containers of white icing
- Wafer and pirouette cookies
- Cake plate or tray
- Rectangular baking pan
- Picture of a Greek temple like the Parthenon or the temple at Delphi
- Slice and bake cookie dough or graham crackers (optional)
What You Do:
- Bake the cake in the rectangular baking pan and let it cool completely.
- Transfer the cooled cake onto a sturdy plate or tray.
- Ice the cake.
- Help your child insert the pirouette cookies around the perimeter of the cake to form the columns. If you want to be historically accurate, make sure to include the correct number of columns. For example, the Parthenon had eight columns across the front and back of the building and 17 columns along the sides.
- Use icing to “glue” wafer cookies along the top of the columns.
- If you choose to make the pediment (the triangular section atop the front of the temple), you may want to bake a cookie in the shape of a triangle. If you choose to include this detail, you will need the slice and bake cookie dough. Roll out the dough and slice into the shape of a triangle. Once the cookie is cool, affix it to the top of the temple’s front using icing. Alternatively, you can carefully break a large graham cracker sheet into a triangle and place it on top as the pediment.
This project is a great idea for sleepovers, slumber parties, or thematic parties. Quiz kids on their knowledge about ancient Greece before they can have a piece of the edible temple!
By Daniella Garran
Daniella K. Garran is a seventh grade social studies teacher who lives on Cape Cod. She has published several articles about project-based learning. She spends summers working as an assistant director of a camp on the Cape.
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