This was published in HomeLife magazine many years ago and is credited to Cathy Strickland
from Florence, S.C. It is a clever way to share the Easter story with children.
This is great to do on the Saturday evening before Easter.
Ingredients
1 cup pecan halves, to be broken
1 teaspoon vinegar
3 egg whites
Pinch of salt
1 cup sugar
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. and lightly grease a cookie sheet.
Place pecans in a plastic resealable bag. Let children pound the pecans into small pieces with wooden spoons. Set aside. Explain that after Jesus was arrested, He was beaten by soldiers. (Read John 19:1-3)
Let everyone smell the vinegar then measure 1 teaspoon into a mixing bowl. Explain that while dying on the cross, Jesus was thirsty and soldiers gave Him vinegar to drink. (Read John 19:28-30)
Separate eggs. Add whites to the vinegar. Eggs represent life. Explain that Jesus gave His life to give us life. (Read John 10:10-11, 28)
Sprinkle a little salt into each person’s palm and let each one brush it off into the mixture. Have them taste their salty palms. This is a reminder of salty tears shed by those saddened by Jesus’ death. (Read Luke 23:27)
Add the sugar, trusting that this will give the mixture a pleasant result. The sweetest part of the Easter story is that Jesus died because He loves us. He makes it possible to know Him and belong to Him. (Read Psalm 34:8; John 3:16)
Beat with electric mixer on high speed for 12 to 15 minutes until stiff peaks form. Point out the pearly white color, the color of purity in God’s eyes for those who have been cleansed from sin by Jesus’ death. (Read Isaiah 1:18; 1 John 3:1-3)
Fold in nuts. Drop rounded teaspoons of the mixture on the cookie sheet. Explain that each mound resembles the rocky tomb like the one in which Jesus’ body was placed. (Read Matthew 27:57-60)
Put cookie sheet in preheated oven, close the door, and turn the oven completely off. Give each person a piece of tape to secure the oven door. Explain that Jesus’ tomb was sealed. (Read Matthew 27:65-66)
Time for bed! Explain that they may feel sad and discouraged leaving the cookies in the oven with the door closed. Jesus’ death seemed final to His followers, and they were in despair when the tomb was sealed. (Read John 16:20, 22)
On Easter morning, open the oven door and give everyone a cookie. Point out the cracked surface of the cookies, and then take a bite. The cookies are hollow! On the first Easter morning, Jesus’ followers were amazed to find His tomb opened and empty. He had risen! (Read Matthew 28:1-9)
Easter Story Cookies
Click here to download a printable version.