Easter Story Cookies

Preheat oven to 300°F
(This is important--do not wait until you are halfway through the recipe.)

Explain the symbolism and read from Scripture to "tell" the Easter Story as you complete the recipe.

Symbolism: Our Lord was beaten by the Roman soldiers after His arrest.
Reading: John 19:1-3.
Place pecans in zipper baggie and let children beat them with the wooden spoon to break into small pieces.

Symbolism: Our Lord was given vinegar to drink when He thirsted on the Cross.
Reading: John 19:28-30.
Let each child smell the vinegar.  Put 1 tsp. vinegar into mixing bowl.

Symbolism:  Our Lord gave His life to give us life.
Reading: John 10:10-11.
Add egg whites to the vinegar.  Eggs are symoblic of life.

Symbolism: The salty tears shed by Our Lord's followers and the bitterness of our own sin. 
Reading: Luke 23:27.
Sprinkle a little salt into each child's hand.  Let the children taste the salt.
Brush the salt from their hands into the bowl.

Symbolism:  The sweetest of Our Lord's love for us.
Reading: Ps. 34:8 and John 3:16.
Sprinkle a little sugar into each child's hand. Let them taste the sugar.
Add 1c. sugar to bowl.

Symbolism: The purity in God's eyes of those whose sins have been cleansed by Our Lord.
Reading: Isa. 1:18 and John 3:1-3.
Beat with a mixer on high speed for 12 to 15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed.  Note the white mixture. White is symbolic of purity.

Symbolism: The rocky tomb where Our Lord's body was laid.
Reading: Matt. 27:57-60.
Fold in broken nuts.  Drop by teaspoons onto wax paper covered cookie sheet.

Put the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door and turn the oven OFF.

Symbolism: Our Lord's tomb was sealed.
Reading: Matt. 27:65-66.
Give each child a piece of tape and seal the oven door.

Symbolism: Our Lord's followers were in despair when the tomb was sealed.
Reading: John 16:20 and 22.
TIME FOR BED!  Children may be dissappoionted to have to wait for their treat.

Easter morning:
Symbolism:  Our Lord's followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty.
Reading: Matt. 28:1-9
Open the oven and give everyone a cookie.  Notice the cracked surface and take a bite.  The cookies are hollow!