Easter Story Cookies

I found a recipe for Easter Story Cookies. They do just that - tell the story of Easter while you make them.

Ingredients:

1 cup whole pecans

1 tsp vinegar

3 egg whites

pinch of salt

large zipper bag

wooden spoon

tape

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees.

2. Place pecans in zipper bag and let kids beat them with the wooden spoon to break into small pieces.

3. Explain that after Jesus was arrested, He was beaten by the Roman soldiers. Read John 19:1-3.

Show me how sad you are that Jesus was beaten like that.

4. Let each child smell the vinegar. Add to mixing bowl. Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross He was given vinegar to drink. Read John 19:28-30.

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

6. 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.

7. So far the ingredients are not very appetizing. Add sugar. Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He loves us. He wants us to know Him and belong to Him. Read Psalm 34:8.

8. Beat with a mixer on high speed for 12-15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed. Explain that the colour 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.

9. Fold in broken nuts.

10. Line cookie sheet with waxed paper. Drop mixture by spoonfuls onto waxed paper. Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus' body was laid. Read Matthew 27:57-60.

11. Place 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.

12. 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.

13. In the morning, open the oven and remove the cookies. Take a bite. Notice, the cookies are hollow. On the first Easter Jesus' followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty. Read Matthew 28:1-9.