A Fun Easter Cookie Activity

Here is a great way to teach the Easter story to younger children or grandkids! It is best if done the week before Easter.

 Easter Story Cookies (Make preferably the night before Easter)

1 c. whole pecans
1 tsp. vinegar
3 egg whites
pinch salt
l c. sugar
zipper bag
wooden spoon
tape
Bible

Preheat oven to 300* (Don't wait until you are half done with the recipe!)

Place pecans in zipper bag 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 vinegar in a cup and let each child smell it.  Put it into the mixing bowl.
(explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross he was given vinegar to drink. Read John 19:29-30)

Add egg whites to vinegar.  Eggs represent life. 
(explain that Jesus gave His life to give us life.  Read John 10:12-11)

 Sprinkle a little salt into each child's hand.  Let them taste it and brush the rest into the bowl. 
(explain that this reepresents the salty tears shed by Jesus' followers, and the bitterness of our own sin.  Read Luke 23:27)

 Add 1 c. sugar.
(explain that the sweetest part of this story is that Jesus died because He loves us.  He wants us to know and belong to Him.  Read Ps. 34:8 and John 3:16)

Beat all ingredients 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 Is.1:18 and John 3:1-2)

 Fold in broken nuts.  Drop by teaspoons onto wax paper or parchment paper, on a cookie sheet.
(explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus' body was laid.  Read Matt. 27:57-60)

Put the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door and turn the oven OFF.  Give each child a piece of masking tape and seal the oven door
(explain that Jesus' tomb was sealed.  Read Matt. 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)

The next morning (or on Easter morning), open the oven and give everyone a cookie.  Notice the cracked surface and take a bite.  The cookies are hollow!
(explain that on the first Easter morning, Jesus' followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty.  Read Matt. 28:1-9)

[Contributed by Barb Garner]