Resurrection Cookies!

It's the eve of Easter. This is a recipe our family has used for years as we talk about the crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension of our Lord. I found this in a church newsletter and have generally maintained what was printed there.

Note: Sometimes we read the Scripture first, and sometimes we prefer to read it after we do the cookie step.

You Need:
1 cup whole pecans
3 egg whites
1 cup sugar
1 tsp. vinegar
1 pinch of salt

Mixing bowl
Wooden spoon
Bible
Zipper baggie
Waxed paper
Cookie sheet
Tape.

1.Preheat oven to 300.
2. Read John 19:1-3. Put pecans in a baggie and let children beat them with the wooden spoon to break into small pieces. After Jesus was arrested, the Roman soldiers beat Him.
3. Read John 19:28-30. Let the children smell the vinegar. Put 1 tsp. into mixing bowl. When Jesus was thirsty on the cross, He was given vinegar to drink.
4. Read John 10:10-11. Add egg whites tot he vinegar. Eggs represent life. Jesus gave His life to give us life.
5. Read Luke 23:27. Sprinkle a little salt into each child's hand. Let them taste it and brush the rest into the bowl. This represents the salty tears shed by Jesus's followers and the bitterness of our own sin.
6. So far the ingredients are not very appealing. Add 1 cup sugar. 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 and John 3:16.
7. Read Isaiah 1:18 and John 3:1-3. Beat ingredients on high speed with a mixer for 10-15 minutes, or until stiff peaks form. Explain that the color white represents the purity in God's eyes of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus.
8. Read Matthew 27:65-66. Fold in broken nuts. Drop by teaspoonful onto waxed paper-covered cookie sheet. Each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus' body was laid.
9. Put the cookie sheet into 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.
10. Go to bed! Even though we may be sad to leave the cookies in the oven... it reminds us that Jesus' followers were in despair when the tomb was sealed.

On Resurrection morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie! Notice the cracked surface and take a bite. The cookies are hollow! (Well, they may be. Ours generally aren't quite!) On the first Resurrection Day, Jesus' followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty. Read Matthew 28:1-9 as you celebrate.

[note: my cookies did not turn out well; I suspect my oven self-cooled so that the temperature was too low to finish the merengue. Next year I'll let the cookies cook longer! (though these were still tasty!)]

Hallelujah! He is Risen!