I made these cookies for Easter and they were gone only a few minutes later! They are super yummy! I also love how these cookies tell the story of the crucifixion and resurrection.
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 300 F.
Place pecans in a zipper baggie and let children beat them with a wooden spoon to
break them into small pieces.
Explain that after Jesus’ arrest, he was beaten by Roman soldiers.
Read John 19:1-3
"Then Pilate therefore took Jesus, and scourged him. And the soldiers plaited a crown of thorns, and put it on his head, and they put on him a purple robe, and said, Hail, King of the Jews! and they smote him with their hands.”
Let each child smell the vinegar. Pour 1 teaspoon vinegar into the mixing bowl.
Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross he was given vinegar to drink.
Read John 19:28-30
“After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture
might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst. Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar: and they
filled a sponge with vinegar, and put it upon hyssop, and put it to his mouth. When
Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head,
and gave up the ghost.”
Add the egg whites to the vinegar.
Tell the children that eggs represent life.
Explain that Jesus gave his life so that we could be resurrected and have eternal life.
Read John 10:10-11
“The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they
might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd:
the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.”
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 during the crucifixion.
Read Luke 23:27
“And there followed him a great company of people, and of women, which also
bewailed and lamented him.”
Ask your children if any of the ingredients used to this point seem very appetizing.
Add 1 cup sugar
Explain that the sweetest part of the Easter story is that Jesus died because he loves us.
He wants us to know and belong to him and be able to return to the Father.
Read Psalm 34:8
“O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.”
Read John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son,
that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
Beat with a mixer on high speed for 12 to 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
“Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.”
Fold in the broken nuts.
Drop the dough by teaspoons onto a cookie sheet covered with parchment paper.
Explain that each bound of dough represents the rocky tomb where Jesus’ body was laid.
Read Matthew 27:57-60
"When the even was come, there came a rich man of Arimathæa, named Joseph, who also himself was Jesus’ disciple: He went to Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be delivered. And when Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock: and he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre, and departed."
Put the cookie sheet into the oven, close the door and turn the oven OFF.
Give each child a piece of masking tape and help them seal the oven door.
Explain Jesus’ tomb was sealed.
Read Matthew 27:65-66
“Pilate said unto them, Ye have a watch: go your way, make it as sure as ye can.
So they went, and made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch.”
Go to bed! Or proceed with the event of the night and leave the cookies in
the oven until morning.
Explain that the children might feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight.
Jesus’ followers despaired when the tomb was sealed.
Read John 16:20-22
“Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice:
and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy. A woman when she is
in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child,
she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world.
And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice,
and your joy no man taketh from you.”
Before the children are up the next morning, remove the tape an open the oven door.
After the children awaken, gather them into the kitchen and give everyone a cookie.
Tell them to notice how the surface is cracked and to take a bite.
The cookies will be hollow.
Explain that on the first Easter Jesus’ followers were amazed to find the tomb empty.
When they understood what it meant, they rejoiced!
Read John 11:25-26
“I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead,
yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die.”
Easter Story Cookies
From A Christ-Centered Easter by Janet and Joe Hales
Ingredients and Props
1 cup whole pecans
1 teaspoon vinegar
3 egg whites
Pinch of salt
1 cup sugar
Zipper baggie
Wooden spoon
Masking tape
Bible
2 Cookie sheets with parchment
Hand mixer
Preheat the oven to 300 F.
Place pecans in a zipper baggie and beat them with a wooden spoon to break them into
small pieces.
Mix the vinegar, egg whites, salt and sugar. Beat with a mixer on high
for 12-15 minutes or until stiff peaks form.
Fold in the broken nuts.
Drop the dough by teaspoons onto a cookie sheet covered with parchment paper.
Put the cookie sheet into the oven, close the door and turn the oven OFF. Go to bed!
Or proceed with the event of the night and leave the cookies in the oven until morning.
In the morning take the cookies out. They will be hollow. Enjoy!
This is so sweet and creative!! I love it!
ReplyDeleteThis is so sweet and creative!! I love it!
ReplyDeleteFun! I'd like to try this.
ReplyDelete