Easter Story Cookies

We used to make these EVERY year except for the last two, because I forget to pick up the ingredients necessary!! The kids are disappointed when I forget. Follow the directions exactly and you will be surprised on Easter morning what these cookies are like. Really, you can make them any time, but it's definitely more special on Easter weekend, making them together on Saturday night.

Easter Story Cookies

You need 1 c. whole pecans (walnuts)
1 tsp. vinegar 1 c. sugar
3 egg whites 1 zipper baggie
pinch salt wooden spoon
1 c. sugar tape
Bible

Preheat oven to 300 degrees F. 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 23:28.

So far the ingredients are not very appetizing. Add 1 c. 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 Psalm 34:8 and John 3:16.

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

Fold in broken nuts. Drop by teaspoons on a nonstick cookie sheet (may want to use PAM spray with wax or parchment paper - easier to remove cookies later.). Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus' body was laid. Read Matt. 27:57-60.

Place cookies in the oven, close the door and turn the oven off. Let each child seal the "tomb" with a piece of masking tape. Read Matthew 27:65-66.

Go to bed. Read John 16:20 and 22.

In the morning, open the oven and take out the cookies. Read Matthew 28:1-9.