To be made the evening before Easter
You will need:
1 cup whole pecans
1 tsp. vinegar
3 egg whites
pinch salt
1cup sugar
zipper baggie
wooden spoon
tape
Bible
Preheat oven to 300 degrees (this is important--
don't wait til you're 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.
Read Ps.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 Isa. 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 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 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.
On Easter morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie.
Notice the cracked surface and take a bite. The cookies are
hollow! On the first Easter, Jesus' followers were amazed to
find the tomb open and empty.
Read Matt. 28:1-9
You may print this recipe.