Easter Cookies

I wanted to share something with you...especially if you have kids. We can really get into the Easter Bunny and all of the candy and treats that the little critter brings into the house each year. Here is an Easter treat that you can use to tell the story of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus.

EASTER COOKIES Make these the night before Easter. Preheat oven to 300 degrees first."Preheating" is important -- don't wait until the cookies are ready to go into the oven.

You will need:
1 cup whole pecans
1 tsp. vinegar
3 egg whites
Pinch of salt
1 cup sugar
1 Ziploc bag
Wooden spoon
Scotch tape
Bible
Electric mixer
Baking sheet
Waxed paper
Oven

Place the pecans in a Ziploc bag and let the children beat them with the spoon until they are in small pieces. Explain that after Jesus was arrested, he was beaten by Roman soldiers. -- Read John 19: 1-3

Let each child smell the vinegar. Put 1 tsp. of vinegar in the mixing bowl. Explain that when Jesus was on the cross, He was thirsty and the soldiers gave him vinegar to drink. -- Read John 19: 28-30

Add egg whites to the vinegar. Eggs represent life. Explain thatJesus gave his life for us. -- Read John 10: 10-11

Sprinkle a little salt into each child's hand. Let them taste the salt and brush the rest into the bowl. Explain that this represents the salty tears that Jesus' followers shed and the bitterness of our own sin. – Read Luke 23: 27

Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died for us because He loves us. He wants us to know and belong to him. -- ReadPsalms 34:8 and John 3:16

Beat the ingredients on high speed for 12-15 minutes until stiff peaks form. Explain that the color white represents purity in God's eyes of those whose sins are cleansed by Jesus. -- Read Isaiah 1: 18 and John 3: 1-3

Fold in the broken nuts. Drop by rounded teaspoons on to waxed paper covered baking sheet. Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus was buried. -- Read Matthew 27: 57-60

Put the cookie sheet in the preheated oven, and turn the oven OFF. Give each child a piece of tape to seal the oven door shut. Explain that the tomb of Jesus was sealed. -- Read Matthew 27: 65-66

GO TO BED! Explain that they may be sad to leave the cookies in the oven over night. 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 Easter cookies are HOLLOW! On the first day of Easter, Jesus' followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty. JESUS HAS RISEN! -- Read Matthew 28: 1-9

I've never made these cookies. And I don't remember where I picked up this recipe. If you use it, please let me know how it goes!

John <><