Easter Cookie Recipe

My friend Beth had this Easter cookie recipe on her caringbridge page for Cooper, and I wanted to post it here too. We did it last night with the girls (Brian even helped!) and it was really fun, especially reading the Bible verses after each step of the recipe. This morning we ate them for breakfast. I usually don't give my kids cookies for breakfast, but this made it even more meaningful since it's something we never do. (Don't worry, we gave them cereal too).

Here's Beth's recipe:

Easter Cookie Recipe:

It says to make them Saturday night before Easter, but you could do it any time to review the Easter Story…and experience the Easter message.

***First, preheat the oven to 300 degrees.***

Ingredients:
1 c. whole pecans
1 tsp vinegar
3 egg whites
1 pinch of salt
1 c. of sugar

You will need:
Mixing bowl
Wooden spoon
Bible
Ziplock baggie
Wax paper
Cookie sheet
Tape
Mixer

Place pecans in the baggie and let the 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 the children smell the vinegar. Put 1 tsp. into a mixing bowl. Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross, He was given vinegar to drink. (Read John 19: 28-30)

Add the egg whites to the vinegar. Eggs represent life. Explain that Jesus gave his life for us. (Read John 10: 10-11)

Sprinkle a little salt into the children’s hand and let them taste it, then brush the rest into the bowl. Explain that it represents the salty tears shed by Jesus’ followers and the bitterness of our own sin. (Read Luke 23:27)

So far the ingredients aren’t very appetizing. Add 1 cup of sugar. Explain that the sweetest part of this story is that Jesus died because He loves us. He wants us to know and belong to Him. (Read Psalm 34:8 and John 3:16)

Beat with mixer on high speed for 11-15 minutes until stiff peaks form. Explain that the color white represents the purity in God’s eyes of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus. (Read Isaiah 1:18 and John 3:1-3)

Fold in broken nuts. Drop by teaspoon onto wax paper-covered cookie sheet. Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus’ body was laid. (Read Matthew 27: 65-66)

Put cookie sheet in oven. Close the door and turn the oven OFF. Give the child a piece of tape and seal the door. Explain that Jesus’ tomb was sealed. (Read Matthew 27:65-66)

Explain 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)

Go to bed!

On Resurrection morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie!

Notice the cracked surface and take a bite. The cookies are hollow! On the first Resurrection Day, Jesus’ followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty. (Read Matthew 28: 1-9)

He has risen! Hallelujah!



Also, on the subject of fun & meaningful things to do with your kiddos, my friend Jennifer & her boys are doing an awesome SOCKS project to help provide socks for the many children in Mexico who are too poor to own any socks. Their goal is to collect 300 pairs to send with some church members who are going on a mission trip there soon. Read about it here and help them out if you can! She is one of my closest friends of all time, and an awesome role model for me in motherhood. She is also the future mother-in-law of my girls! :)

Avery had her first haircut yesterday. It wasn't super dramatic, only about 3 inches, but she needed it and it does make a difference. Her hair was really scraggly at the ends, and now it is so nice & smooth. She was so excited about it, mostly because she got to go by herself with me to Cool Cuts for Kids. I was appalled that they charged $16.95 to cut off 3 inches of hair, which I probably could have done myself, but since it was so exciting for Avery and she did such a good job, I didn't make a big deal about it. But for future reference, I will probably buy myself some good hair scissors and do it myself from now on.