Easter Story Cookies

Author: Alysa Slavinsky

Ingredients

• $1$ cup whole pecans
• $1$ teaspoon vinegar
• $3$ egg whites
• Pinch of salt
• $1$ cup sugar
• Ziploc Baggies
• Wooden spoon
• Tape
• A bible

Instructions

• Preheat oven to $300°$.
• Place pecans in zipper Baggies and let children beat them with a wooden spoon to break into small pieces.
  • Explain that after Jesus was arrested he was beaten by Roman soldiers.
  • Read John $19$:$1$ - $3$.
  • Let children smell the vinegar.
• Put $1$ teaspoon 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 and 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 $23$:$27$.
• So far the ingredients are not 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 him and belong to him.
  • Read Psalms $34$:$8$ and John $3$:$16$.
• Beat with a mixer on high speed for $12$ to $15$ minutes, until stiff and peaks form.
  • 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 John $3$:$1$ - $3$.
• Fold in broken nuts.
• Drop by teaspoonfuls onto wax paper covered cookie sheet.
  • Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus’ body was laid. Read Matthew $27$:$57$ - $60$.
• Put 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 $27$:$65$ - $66$. 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 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 find the tomb open and empty.
  • Read Matthew $28$:$1$ - $9$. He has risen!

Tip

Do this on Easter eve before bed.