Resurrection Cookies

I found this awesome recipe on Michele's blog this week while I was doing my daily blog reading. I just loved what the cookies represented and the story that goes along with making them. I am intrigued to try this for myself, even though we do not have children yet. It could be a great experience for people of all ages!

via

Ingredients needed:

-1 cup whole pecans or 1 cup chocolate chips

-1 teaspoon vinegar

-3 egg whites

-pinch of salt

-1 cup sugar

-Ziploc bag

-wooden spoon

-tape

-Bible

1. Pre-heat oven too 300*F.
2. Place pecans or mini chocolate chips in a bag and let kids beat them with a wooden spoon to break them into small pieces. Explain that after Jesus was arrested, the Roman soldiers beat him. (Read John 19:1-3)
3. Let each child smell the vinegar before putting it into the mixing bowl. Explain that when Jesus was thirsty of the cross, he was given vinegar to drink. (Read John 19:28-30)
4. Add egg whites to vinegar. Eggs represent life. Explain that Jesus gave his life to give us 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 mixing bowl. Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus' followers and the bitterness of our own sin. (Read Like 23:27)
6. Add sugar. Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because he loves us. He wants us to know him and belong to him. (Read Psalm 38:8 and John 3:16)
7. Beat egg white mixture with mixer on high for 12-15 minutes or until stiff peaks are formed. Explain that the color white represents the purity of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus. (Read Isaiah 1:18 and John 3:1-3)
8. Fold in broken nuts or chocolate chips. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto a cookie sheet covered with wax paper. Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus' body was laid. (Read Matthew 27:57-60)
9. Put the cookie sheet n the over, close the door and turn OFF the oven. Give each child a piece of tape and seal the oven door. Explain that Jesus' tomb was sealed. (Read Matthew 27:65-66)
10. Go to bed. Explain that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight. Jesus' followers felt despair when the tomb was sealed too. (Read John 16:20-22)
11. On Easter morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie. Notice the cracked surface and take a bite. The cookie is hollow! On this first Easter morning, Jesus' followers were amazed to find the tomb empty. He is risen! He is risen indeed! (Read Matthew 28:1-9)

I think this is a wonderful way to teach children the real meaning of Easter and take the fame and glory away from the Easter bunny. Not that I don't think little fluffy bunnies are not cute, I just think it is important for children all of us to remember the real reason for the season and these cookies illustrate it perfectly! How wonderful it is that we serve a God who is not dead!

"He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay." Matthew 28:6