Easter

For Easter this year, we did this cookie recipe that I got from my sister-in-law Allison a few years ago. I will copy and paste the recipe to the end of this entry. Anyway, we put the cookies together on Saturday night after dyeing Easter eggs, then we left them in the oven overnight, as per the recipe. This is the kids on Sunday morning, examining the cookies and tasting them.

The kids also hunted for Easter eggs on Sunday morning before church (which was at 8 am!). We used plastic eggs filled with candy. Westley helped Eliza so much that he didn't end up with very many eggs in his basket at all, but she got a lot. We combined all the eggs and divided them out evenly after the search was over--it's what my parents used to do for Easter and Halloween candy so everybody got the same amount.

And these are the kids in front of the church in their new Easter clothes. We got the boys each a nice new shirt and Eliza got a pretty new dress.

Recipe for Easter Cookies:

EASTER COOKIES

This hands-on activity with your children helps them understand the Crucifixion and Resurrection of the Savior.

To be made the evening before Easter. You need:

1 cup whole pecans

1 tsp vinegar

3 egg whites

Pinch of salt

1 cup sugar

Wax paper

Zipper baggie

Wooden spoon

Tape

Bible

Preheat oven to 300 degrees (this is important—don’t wait until you’re halfway done with the recipe). Place pecans in zipper baggie and let children beat them with the wooden spoon to break into small pieces. Explain after Jesus was arrested, he was beaten by the Roman soldiers.

Read John 19:1-3.

Let each child smell the vinegar. Put vinegar into mixing bowl.

Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross he was given vinegar to drink.

Read John 19:28-30.

Add egg whites to vinegar. Eggs represent life. Explain Jesus gave his life to give us life.

Read John 10:10-11.

Sprinkle a little salt into each child’s hand. Let them taste it and brush the rest into bowl. Explain this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus’ followers and the bitterness of our own sin.

Read Luke 23:27.

So far the ingredients are not very appetizing.

Add 1 cup sugar. Explain the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because he loves us and died for our sins…He wants us to know and belong to him.

Read Psalms 34:8 and John 3:16.

Beat with a mixer on high speed for 12-15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed. Explain 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 teaspoons onto wax paper-covered cookie sheet. Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus’ body was laid.

Read Matthew 27:57-60.

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

Give each child a piece of tape and seal the oven door. Explain that Jesus’ tomb was sealed.

Read Matt4hew 27:65-66.

GO TO BED! 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.

On Easter morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie. Notice the cracked surface and take a bite. The cookies are hollow. On the first Easter, Jesus’ followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty.

Read Matthew 28:1-9.