Resurrection Cookies-> the reason for this season*

*To make the resurrection story come alive, make sure to start this recipe on Saturday night, right before Easter morning.

Here is what you need:

1 cup whole pecans

1 tsp. white vinegar

3 large egg whites

pinch of salt

1 cup of white sugar

bible

wax paper

plastic bag with zip closure

wooden spoon

masking tape

Preheat the oven to 300 degrees.

1. place the pecans in the bag and close. Read John 19:1-3. Let the children take on the role as the Roman soldiers by using the wooden spoon to beat the bag of whole pecans, break them into very small pieces while shouting "Hail, Jesus! King of the Jews!"
2. Next, read John 19:28-30. When Jesus became thirsty He was given vinegar to drink. Have the kids smell the vinegar. Place it in a large mixing bowl.
3. Add the egg whites into the bowl. Eggs represent new life. Jesus willingly gave up His life to bring new life to us. Read John 10:10
4. Read Luke 23:26-27. Give each child a tiny pinch of salt. Let them taste some then brush the rest in the bowl. This represents the salty tears Jesus' followers shed.
5. The ingredients so far aren't very appealing. Egg whites are bland, vinegar is sour, and salt isn't good by itself. Now comes the sweet part of the story! Jesus died because of His love for us! Dump in one cup of sugar as you read Psalm 34:8 and John 3:16
6. Beat with a mixer on high speed for 12-15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed. The whiteness represents the purity of those who have been cleansed from sin. Read Isaiah 1:18
7. Gently fold in the pecans. Drop heaping teaspoons of batter onto a cookie sheet lined with wax paper. Read Matthew 27:57-60. Each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus' body was laid.
8. Read Matthew 27:62-66. Jesus' tomb was sealed tightly shut. Place the cookies into the oven, close the door, and turn OFF the oven. Give each child a piece of masking tape and have them help seal the oven shut.
9. Now it's bedtime. Your child may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight, just as Jesus' followers were sorrowful when the tomb was sealed shut. While tucking the kids into bed read John 16:20-22.

On Easter morning, open the oven and remove the cookies. Notice the cracked surface. Take a bite. THE COOKIES ARE HOLLOW! On the first Easter morning, the disciples were amazed to find the tomb was open and EMPTY. Read Matthew 28:1-10

Finish with prayer, thank God for His incredible plan of salvation!

HAPPY EASTER!