Easter Story Cookies

We made these cookies last year after I received the recipe at MOPS.  We're going to make them again this year because I want our family to celebrate the real meaning behind Easter.  I'm so thankful I have a Savior who died for me; I certainly did nothing to deserve His grace, but He did it anyway.

Easter Story Cookies (make the night before Easter)

1 cup whole pecans

1 tsp vinegar

3 egg whites

pinch of salt

1 cup sugar

1/2 cup mini chocolate chips (optional)

zip lock bag

wooden spoon

duct tape or packing tape

Bible

parchment paper

1.  Preheat oven to 300 degrees.  For best results, make sure you begin with beaters and a glass or stainless steel mixing bowl that is free of grease and is dry.

2.  Place pecans in zip-lock plastic bag and let the children beat them with the wooden spoon to break into small pieces.  Explain that after Jesus was arrested, the Roman soldiers beat him. Read John 19:1-3

3. Let each child smell the vinegar.  Put one 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

4. Add egg whites that are at room temperature to vinegar.  Eggs represent life.  Explain that Jesus gave his life to give us life.  Read John 10:10-11

5. 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 and the bitterness of our sin.  Read Luke 23:26-28

6. So far, the ingredients are not very appetizing.  Add one cup of sugar.  Explain that the sweet part of the story is that Jesus died because he loves us.  He wants us to know him and belong to him.  Read Psalm 34:8 and John 3:16

7. Beat the ingredients with a mixer on high speed for 12-15 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

8. Fold in broken nuts and mini-chocolate chips. Drop by teaspoons onto the parchment paper covered cookie sheet.  Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus' body was laid.  Read Matthew 27:57-60

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

10. Tell the kids it's time to 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.  He has risen! Read Matthew 28:1-9