Resurrection Cookies

Our babysitter gave me this recipe last night. Today I copied it and gave it to a friend. I've seen it before and wanted to do it but thought that JI wouldn't get it. He will understand this year.

Read the whole recipe before beginning...do together Saturday night before Easter Sunday.

Preheat oven to 300 degrees
Ingredients:
1 cup whole pecans
3 egg whites
1 cup sugar
1 tsp. vinegar
1 pinch of salt

Place pecans in zip-lock bag and let child(ren) beat them with a wooden spoon to break into small pieces.

Explain that after Jesus was arrested, He was beaten by the Roman soldiers. Read aloud - John 19:1-3

Let child smell the vinegar. Put 1 tsp. 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 the vinegar. Eggs represent life. Explain that Jesus gave His life for our life. Read - John 10:10-11

Sprinkle a little salt into each child's hand. Let them taste it then brush the rest into the bowl. Explain that 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 sweetest part of this 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 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 John 3:1-3

Fold in broken nuts. Drop by tsp. onto waxed paper-covered cookie sheet. Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus body was laid. Read - Matt. 27:65-66

Put cookie sheet in the oven. Close door and turn oven OFF.

Give each child a piece of tape and seal the door. Explain that Jesus tomb was sealed. Read - Matt. 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 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