Easter is quickly approaching! I cannot believe it’s on Sunday! Easter was always one of Mom’s favorite holidays because it’s the day that we celebrate that Jesus Christ rose from the dead and is alive! My parents did an excellent job at keeping Christ at the center of holidays. Yes, we dyed Easter eggs and the Easter Bunny visited us, but my parents were always sure to keep the focus on Jesus Christ. A fun way of doing this was by making Easter Story Cookies. Each step and ingredient symbolized something dealing with Jesus’s death, burial, and resurrection. I wanted to share that recipe with all of you today:
Make them the evening before Easter.
- Ingredients:
- 1 cup whole pecans
- 1 tsp vinegar
- 3 egg whites
- 1 cup sugar
- Pinch salt
- Zipper Baggie
- Wooden spoon
- Tape
- Bible
- Directions
- Preheat the oven to 300 degrees.
- 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.
- Let each child smell the vinegar. Put 1 tsp vinegar 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 vinegar. Eggs represent life. Explain that Jesus gave His life 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 that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus’s followers, and the bitterness of our own sin. Read Luke 22:27.
- So far the ingredients aren’t very appetizing. Add 1 cup of sugar. Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He loved us. He wants us to know and belong to Him. Read Psalm 34:8 and John 3:16.
- 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 and John 3:1-3.
- Fold in broken nuts. Drop by teaspoons onto wax paper covered cookie sheet. Explain that each mound 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 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. Read Matthew 28:1-9.
Now, I’ll admit, the cookies weren’t the best tasting ever (from what I remember), but the story and tradition behind them can’t be beat! This is a great way to teach kids, or whoever, about the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ!
I looked and tried to find a picture of Mom making these cookies with my brother and me, but couldn’t find one. I grabbed one off Google to give you a image of what your cookies might look like!
Happy Easter, everyone!
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