Easter Story Cookies

Here's the recipe for the cookies we shared in our Easter Eggs at the Primary Activity. It's our family's favorite tradition for now ; )

Ingredients:
1 cup whole pecans
1 tsp vinegar
3 egg whites
pinch of salt
1 cup sugar
1 zipper baggie
1 wooden spoon
masking tape
Bible

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 300 F.
2. Place pecans in a zipper baggie and let children beat them with a wooden spoon to break them into small pieces (leave in bag until the last--used as last ingredient).
**Explain that after Jesus' arrest, he was beaten by Roman soldiers. READ John 19:1-3.
3. Let each child smell the vinegar. Pour 1 tsp vinegar into the mixing bowl.
**Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross he was given vinegar to drink. READ John 19:28-30.
4. Add egg whites to vinegar.
**Tell the children that eggs represent life.
**Explai that Jesus gave his life so that we could be resurrected and have eternal life. READ John 10:10-11.
5. 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' followers during the crucifixion. READ Luke 23:27.
Ask your children if any of the ingredients used to this point seem very appetizing.
6. Add 1 cup of sugar.
**Explain that the sweetest part of the Easter story is that Jesus died because he loves us, He wants us to know and belong to him and be able to return to the Father. READ Psalm 34:8. Read John 3:16.
7. Beat with mixer on high speed for 12-15 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.
8. Fold in the broken nuts. Drop the dough by teaspoons onto a cookie sheet covered with wax paper.
**Explain that each mound of dough represents the rocky tomb where Jesus' body was laid. Read Matthew 27:57-60.
9. Put the cookie sheet into the oven, close the door and turn the oven OFF. Give each child a piece of tape and help them seal the oven door.
**Explain that Jesus' tomb was sealed. Read Matthew 27:65-66.
10. Go to bed! Or proceed with the events of the night and leave the cookies in the oven until morning.
**Explain that the children might feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight. Jesus followers despaired when the tomb was sealed. Read John 16:20,22.
11. Before the children are up the next morning, remove the tape and open the oven door. After the children awaken, gather them in the kitchen and give everyone a cookie. Tell them to notice how the surface is cracked and to take a bite. The cookies will be hollow.
**Explain that on the first Easter Jesus' followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty. When they understood what it meant, they rejoiced! Read John 11:25-26.