Easter Story Cookies

While at Bible Study today, someone showed me a cookie recipe to do with your kids. I thought it was a great, interactive way to explain the story of Easter to the kids!

EASTER STORY COOKIES
(to be made the night before)

• 1 cup whole pecans
• 1 tsp vinegar
• 3 egg whites
• pinch of salt
• 1 cup sugar
• ziploc bag
• wooden spoon
• tape
• Bible

Preheat oven to 300 degrees PRIOR to making cookies

1. Place pecans in ziploc bag and let children beat them with wooden spoon until they break into small pieces. Explain that after Jesus was arrested, He was beaten by the Roman soldiers--read John 19:1-3
2. Let each child smell the vinegar. put 1tsp in mixing bowl; explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross, He was given vinegar to drink--read John 19:28-30
3. Add egg whites to vinegar; eggs represent life; explain that Jesus gave His life to give us life--read John 10:10-11
4. 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
5. So far the ingredients aren't 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 Psalm 34:8 and John 3:16
6. Beat with a mixer on high for 12-15 minutes until stiff peaks form; explain the color white represents the purity in God's eyes of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus--read Isaiah 1:18 & John 3:1-3
7. Fold in broken nuts. drop by teaspoons onto wax 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 it OFF. Give each child a piece of tape and seal the oven door; explain that Jesus' tomb was sealed--read Matthew 27:65-66
9. GO TO BED. Explain they might feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight; Jesus' followers were in despair when the tomb was sealed--read John 16:20,22
10. 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 see the tomb open and empty! Read Matthew 28:1-9

For those of you who chose to do this with your children this Saturday night, leave a comment and let me know how it went and what was the kids' favorite part of making the cookies!