Easter Story Cookies

Kaylee's blog post reminded me of these cookies we made one Easter in Newport.

Easter Story Cookies

These cookies should be made the evening before Easter. They can be very helpful in teaching children the reason for celebrating Easter.

Ingredients needed are:
1 cup whole pecans
3 T. vinegar
3 egg whites
pinch of salt
1 cup sugar
zipper baggy
wooden spoon
tape
Bible

Preheat oven to 300 degrees (this is important - don't wait until you're halfway done with the recipe.)

Place pecans in zipper baggy and let children beat them with the wooden spoon to break into small pieces. Explain that after Jesus was arrested, he was beaten by the Roman soldiers. Read John 19:1-3.

Let each child smell the vinegar. Put vinegar into a mixing bowl. Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross he was given vinegar to drink. Read John 19: 28-30.

Add egg whites to vinegar. Eggs represent life. Explain that Jesus gave his life to give us life. Read John 10:10-11.

Sprinkle a little salt into each child's hand. Let them taste it and brush the rest into the bowl. Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus' followers, and the bitterness of our own sins. Read Luke 23:27.

So far the ingredients are not very appetizing. Add sugar and explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because he loves us and died for our sins. He wants us to know and belong to him. Read Psalms 34:8 and John 3:16.

Beat with a mixer on high speed for 12-15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed. Esplain that the color white represents the purity in God's eyes of those sins have been cleansed by Jesus. Read Isaiah 1:18 and John 3:1-3.

Fold in broken nuts. Drop by teaspoons onto wax paper covered cookie sheet. Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus' body was laid. Read Matthew 27:57-60.

Put the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door and turn the oven OFF.

Give each child a piece of tape to seal the oven door. Explain that Jesus' tomb was sealed. Read Matthew 27:65-66.

GO TO BED! Explain that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight. Jesus' followers were in despair when the tomb was sealed. Read John 16:20-22.

On Easter morning, open the oen and give everyone a cookie. Notice the cracked surface and take a bite. The cookie is hollow!

On the first Easter, Jesus' followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty. Read Matthew 28:1-9.

He lives and so can we. Read John 14:19.


Have a wonderful Easter remembering the atoning sacrifice that Jesus gave to us.