Easter Story Cookies

1 cup pecans
3 egg whites
1 cup sugar
1 tsp vinegar
pinch of salt
ziplock bag
wooden spoon
wax paper
tape
Bible

Preheat oven to 300 F.
Place pecans in ziplock bag and let children beat them with a wooden spoon to break them into 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 the vinegar into a 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 for us. Read John 10:10-11.

Sprinkle 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.

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 with him. Read Psalm 34:8 & John 3:1-3. Beat with mixer on high for 12-15 minutes until stiff peaks form. Explain that the white color represents the purity in God’s eyes of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus. Read Isaiah 1”18 & John 3:1-3.

Fold in the broken nuts. Drop by tsp onto wax paper covered cookie sheet. Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus’ body was laid. Read Matt 27:57-60. Put the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door and turn off the oven heat.. Give each child a piece a tape to help seal the oven door. Explain that Jesus tomb ws 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 & 22.

On Easter morning, open the oven door and give everyone a cookie. The cookies are hollow. On the first Easter, Jesus ‘ followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty. Read Matt 28:1-9. He has risen.