Easter Story Cookies

When Bethanie was a baby, I found the following recipe. I thought it sounded like a great idea for kids but her being a baby, she wouldn't understand. So I printed it off and saved it. Every year at Easter I would forget about it. I would run across the recipe every now and then but it was always like middle of summer or christmas time...never any where near easter (which just typing that makes me realize I could have done this ANY time of year, it's an important story to know no matter when they them learn it). This week the cookie dough that Bethanie sold for a school fundraiser came in. As I was thinking of making some for Easter I remembered the Easter Story Cookies and looked them up on line. Here I found a recipe that includes Bible verses to support what each step represents. So tonight as we get ready to go to bed, we are going to make these. I am excited that the girls will have something more to focus on than just what the Easter Bunny but in thier baskets. Now I just hope they work like they are suppose to. Here is the recipe that I found at "Home with God"

Easter Story Cookies to be made the night before Easter
You need:
1 cup whole pecans
1 tsp. vinegar
3 egg whites
pinch salt
1 cup sugar
zipper baggie
wooden spoon
tape
Bible

Preheat oven to 300 degrees (this is important - don't wait until you are half done with the recipe!)

Place pecans in zipper baggie 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

Let each child smell the vinegar. Put 1 tsp. vinegar 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 into the bowl. Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus' followers, and the bitterness of our own sin.
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.
Psalms 34:8 and John 3:16

Beat 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 Isaiah 1:18 and John 3:1-3

Fold in broken nuts. Drop by teaspoons 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 the cookie sheet in 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.
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 and 22

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, Jesus' followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty.
Read Matthew 28:1-9


THANK YOU JESUS FOR WHAT YOU DID FOR US!

Have a Happy Easter!!!!