Resurrection Cookies

I found this idea through a link to a parenting website I visited recently, and LOVED it so much that I wanted to share it. It's very simple, but the munchkins love to do anything that involves cooking, and I thought it was a great way to remind them of the Easter story.

Resurrection Cookies

You will need: 1 cup whole pecans, 1 t. vinegar, 3 egg whites, a pinch of salt, 1 c. sugar, a ziploc baggy, 1 wooden spoon, scotch tape, a Bible

These cookies are to be made the evening before Easter.
1. Preheat oven to 300 F (this step must be done now, don't wait until you're halfway through to remember!).

2. Place pecans in ziplog baggy and let the 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

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

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

5. 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 sin. Read: Luke 23:27

So far, the ingredients are not very appetizing. Add 1 cup sugar. Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He loves us. He wants us to love and belong to Him. Read Psalm 34:8 and John 3:16.

6. Beat ingredients 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 of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus: Read Isaiah 1:18 and John 3: 1-3.

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

8. Put the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door and TURN THE OVEN OFF.

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

10. Go to bed. Explain that the children 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 and 22

11. On Resurrection morning (Easter Sunday), make sureyou're up before the children. Remove the tape and leave the oven door open. Allow the children to find the oven door open 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.

Happy Easter, everyone!