Resurrection Cookies

My friend Sandy Deal sent me this recipe for Resurrection Cookies and it sounds like a fun and yummy way to explain the real meaning of Easter to children!

1 cup whole pecans

3 egg whites

1 cup sugar

1 tsp vinegar

1 pinch of salt

mixing bowl

wooding spoon

Bible

zipper baggie

waxed paper

cookie sheet

tape

Try to do together Saturday night before Easter Sunday. Preheat oven to 300 degrees (you must turn the oven on before beginning) Place pecans in zipper baggie and let children beat them with the wooden spoon to break into small pieces. Explain that Jesus was arrested, he was beaten by the Roman Soldiers. Read John 19: 1-3. Let child smell vinegar. Put 1 tsp into mixing bowl. Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross, he was given vinegar to drink. Read Jon 19: 28-30. Add egg whites to the 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 sweetes 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 Jon 3:16. Beat with a mixer on high speed for 11-15 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 John3:1-3. Fold in broken nuts. Drop by teaspoon onto waxed paper-covered cookie sheet. Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus' body was laid. Read Matthew 27:65-66. Put 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. 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 resurrection morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie! Notice the cracked surface and take a bite. The cookies are hollow! On the first resurrection day, Jesus' followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty! Read Matt 28:1-9. He has Risen!!! Hallelujah!