Easter Story Cookies

*to be made the night before Easter*

Ingredients:

1 c. whole pecans

1 tsp. vinegar

3 egg whites

1 pinch salt

1 c. sugar

Zipper baggies

Wooden spoon

Tape

Bible

Preheat oven to 300 degrees. This is important- Don’t wait until you’re half done with the recipe!

Place the pecans in a zipper baggie 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: 1-4)

Let each child smell the vinegar. Put 1 tsp. into the mixing bowl. Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross He was given vinegar to drink. (Read John 19: 28-30)

Add the egg whites to the vinegar. Eggs represent life. Explain 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 1 c. of sugar. Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because he loves us. He wants us to know and belong to him. (Read Psalms 34: 8 & John 3: 16)

Beat with a mixer on high speed for 12-15 minutes, until stiff peaks are formed. Explain that the color white represents the purity in God’s eyes for those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus. (Read Isaiah 1: 18 & John 3: 1-3)

Fold in broken pecans. Drop by teaspoon onto a 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 and 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 over night. Jesus’ followers were in despair when the tomb was sealed. (Read John 16: 20 & 22)

On Easter morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie. Notice the cracked surface and take a bite. The cookies are hollow! On the first Easter Jesus’ followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty! (Read Matthew 28: 1-9)