Easter Cookies

Teaching Easter

Teaching the REAL meaning of Easter is
NOT a super easy task for little ones who don't understand death and resurrection.
NOT a super easy task for little ones who
DO understand about candy, toys and Easter egg hunts.



EASTER COOKIES

1 cup whole pecans
1 teaspoon vinegar
3 egg whites
Pinch of salt
1 cup sugar
Zipper baggie
Wooden spoon
Tape
Bible

Preheat oven to 300 degrees (this is important—don’t wait until you’re halfway done with the recipe)

Place pecans in zipper baggie and let children beat them with the wooden spoon to break into small pieces. Explain that after Jesus was arrested, he was beaten by the Roman soldiers. Read John 19:1-3. (Put nuts aside).

Let each child smell vinegar. Put vinegar into mixing bowl. Explain 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 in order to give US life. Read John 10:10-11

Sprinkle a little salt into each child’s hand. Let them taste it and brush the rest into the bowl. Explain this 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 sugar. Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because he loves us and died for our sins. 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 12-15 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 teaspoons onto wax-paper covered cookie sheet. Explain that each mount 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, 22.

On Easter morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie. Notice the cracked surface and take a bite. The cookies are hallow. On the first Easter, Jesus’ followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty. Read Matthew 28:1-9