"The Easter Cookie Story"
INGREDIENTS
- 1 cup whole pecans
- 1 teaspoon vinegar
- 3 egg whites
- pinch salt
- 1 cup sugar
- zipper baggie
- wooden spoon
- tape
- Bible
DIRECTIONS
- Preheat oven to 300 degrees (this is important-don't wait until you're half done with the recipe)!
- Place pecans in 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 19:1-3.
- Let each child smell the vinegar. Put 1 tsp. vinegar into 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 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 know and belong to Him. Read Ps. 34:8 and John 3:16.
- Beat with a mixer on high speed for 12 to 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 Isa. 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 Matt. 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 Matt. 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 and 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 Matt. 28:1-9
- Prep Time: 20 minutes,
- Cook Time: Over night
- Servings: Makes 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 dozen