Easter Cookies

This is a fun & yummy way to recount the story of Jesus' death & the wonder of Easter with kids!  We make these every year & my kids love this activity!  Each step of the way allows a chance to discuss the contributions Jesus made.

Things you will need:  1 cup of whole pecans, 1 tsp of vinegar, 3 egg whites, a pinch of salt, 1 c of sugar, zip lock bags, wooden spoon, electric mixer, cookie sheets, wax paper, & Bible

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Place the pecans into zip lock baggies & have kids break them into pieces with a wooden spoon.  Explain how Jesus was beaten by the Roman soldiers after He was arrested, & read John 19:1-3.

Next, add the vinegar to the mixing bowl & tell the children that Jesus was given vinegar to drink while he was on the cross.  Read John 19:28-30.  Have each child taste vinegar.  Add the egg whites to the bowl, explaining that eggs represent life & how Jesus gave His life to us by reading John 10:10-11.

Now add a pinch of salt to the bowl to represent the tears shed by Jesus' disciples & followers after His death.  Have each child also taste the salt to remind them of the bitterness of sin.  Read Luke 23:27.

The next step is to add the sugar while telling the kids how the sweetest part of Jesus' story is that He died because He loves us.  Let them also taste the sugar.  Read Psalm 34:8 or John 3:16.

Beat the mixture with the mixer on high speed for 15-20 minutes.  Have the children take turns beating the mixture until stiff peaks form.  Next, fold in the pecans & drop by teaspoons onto cookie sheets covered with wax paper.  Read Matthew 27:57-60 to explain how each cookie represents the tomb where Jesus' body was laid to rest.

Put the cookies in the oven & close the door.  TURN OFF THE OVEN.  You may seal it with tape to represent the way His tomb was sealed.  Read Matthew 27:65-66.

While waiting for cookies to make for about 10-15 minutes, read John 16:20 & 22 to learn about how the disciples & followers were saddened by the sealing of the tomb.

Remove cookies from the oven & allow them to cool.  Finally, distribute & break open the cookies which are hollow inside which serves to represent the empty tomb after Jesus rose!!!  Enjoy!  :)