The Easter Cookie Story

An Easter tradition we started with the kids before they could read, was the Easter Cookie Story. My mom started the tradition with us and I have carried it on through the years. On Easter Eve, this is a beautiful way to bring understanding of the true meaning of Easter.

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Ingredients

• 1 cup pecans

• 1 teaspoon white vinegar

• 3 egg whites

• 1 pinch salf

• 1 cup sugar

• Resealable bag

• Wooden Spoon

• Tape

• Bible
  

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Preheat oven to 300 degrees

Place pecans in resealable bag and let the children beat them with the wooden spoon to break into small pieces. (My little guy needed to use something heavier than a wooden spoon here). Explain that after Jesus was arrested, He was beaten by the Roman soliders.

Read John 19:1-3

Let each child smell the vinegar. Put 1 teaspoon 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 inot the bowl. Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus' followers and the bitterness of our own sins.

Read Luke 23:27

So far the ingredients are not very appetizing. 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 to Him.

Read Psalm 34:8 & John 3:16

Using a hand mixer on high speed, beat the ingredients for 10 - 15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed. Explain that the color white represents the purity in God's eyes of those whose sins had been cleansed by Jesus.

Read Isaiah 1:18 & John 3:1-3

Fold in broken nuts. Drop teaspoon of mixture 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 cookie sheet into 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 hollow! On the first Easter, Jesus' followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty!