Easter Story Cookies

Easter is not only a time for candy and egg hunts, but also a time for remembering what Christ done for us long ago on Golgotha. Jesus died to save us from our sins and His blood is what can make us be reborn again if we believe in Him! As Christians, we are guaranteed to have everlasting life with Jesus in Heaven if we accept Him as out Lord and Savior!

But, it wasn't an easy road for Jesus to do this. He was beaten and tried in front of the Jews and they wouldn't accept Him for who He really was, Lord God Almighty. After Pilot gave the final verdict, Jesus was whipped and beaten and then hung on a cross to die. Jesus was left on the cross until He died, and afterwards His body was wrapped in linen and He was buried  But, after three days of being in the tomb, Jesus came back to life! What a happy ending to such a sad story! We can be born again too if we accept Jesus into our hearts!

These cookies will help us remember all of the events that happened to Jesus on that day. It's a great way to teach young children about what happened to Jesus and even a refresher course for yourself also!

Here's what you'll need:

2 cups whole pecans
6 egg whites
2 cups sugar
2 teaspoons vinegar
Pinch of salt
Zip lock bag
Spoon
Mixing bowl
Mixer
Measuring cup
Baking sheet
Wax paper
Tape

What to do:

1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees.

2. Have the children wash their hands and explain how Pilate washed his hands from the situation and let the Jews decide what to do with Jesus. Tell how the Jews regretted Jesus and wanted Him crucified although He did no wrong.

3. Place pecans in a zip lock bag, close the bag, and let the children beat the bag with a wooden spoon to break the pecans into small pieces. Be sure the bag is fully sealed so the nuts won't go flying.

4. Explain to the children that after Jesus was arrested, the Roman soldiers beat Him. Set aside the bag.

5. Measure out the vinegar and let the children smell it and dip their finger in it to taste it.

6. Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross he was given vinegar to drink.

7. Put the vinegar into the mixing bowl.

8. Help the children separate the egg whites from the yolks and explain that the egg whites represent life. Tell how Jesus gave His life for us.

9. Add the egg whites to the vinegar.

10. Sprinkle a little salt into each of the child's hands.

11. Let them taste it and brush the rest into the bowl.

12. Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus' followers, and the bitterness of our sin. So far, none of the ingredients are very tasteful.

13. Now, add 1 cup of sugar into the mixing bowl.

14. 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.

15. Beat with a mixer on high speed for 12 -15 minutes until stuff peaks form.

16. Explain that the color white represents the purity in God's eyes of those whose sin have been cleansed by Jesus.

17. Fold in the broken nuts.

18. Drop by teaspoons onto a cookie sheet covered in wax paper.

19. Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus' body was laid.

20. Put the cookie sheet into the oven and turn the oven OFF.

21. Give each child a piece of tape and seal the oven door.

22. Explain that Jesus' tomb was sealed closed so that no one could get in.

23. Go to bed. Explain to the children that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight. Jesus' followers were in despair when the tomb was sealed.

24. On Easter morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie.

25. Notice the cracked surface on the cookies. Take a bite. The cookies are HOLLOW!

26. On the first Easter, Jesus' followers were amazed to find the tomb not only opened, but EMPTY too!!

27. He has risen!

These cookies are so easy and fun to make and they taste good too! I hope you all enjoy making them this Easter! Happy Easter!

Original recipe taken from: http://www.food.com/recipe/easter-story-cookies-99055?scaleto=12&mode=null&st=true