Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Easter Resurrection (Meringue) Cookies

We are looking forward to making these Resurrection Cookies (Meringue) together to put the reason back into the season. Hope you all have a Happy Easter! (I got the idea from The Idea Room Blog and have posted the picture of the cookies from the original source, Squidoo).

Easter Story Cookies (from http://www.squidoo.com/resurrectioncookies)

We have done this activity for Easter for the past two years and my kids look forward to it each year. It has been a good way for our family to make Easter a bit more religious and focus on the Resurrection more than the Easter Bunny. This has been around for a long time and many of you may have already seen or done this, but I decided to post it anyways just in case you may not have seen it.

To be made the evening before Easter.

You need:

1 cup whole pecans 1 tsp. vinegar 3 egg whites pinch salt 1 cup sugar

zipper baggie heavy wooden spoon tape A Bible

Preheat oven to 300 degrees. This is important! Don’t wait until you’re half done with the recipe!

Place pecans in zipper baggie and let 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 each child smell the vinegar. Put 1 tsp. 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 that Jesus gave His life to give us eternal life.

Read John 10:10-11.

Sprinkle a little salt into each child’s hand. Let them taste it and brush the rest into the bowl. Explain that 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 that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He loves us. He wants us to know and belong to Him.

Read Ps. 34:8 and John 3:16.

Beat with a mixer on high speed for 12 to 15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed. Explain that the color white represents the purity in God’s eyes of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus.

Read Isa. 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 Matt. 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 Matt. 27:65-66.

NOW GO TO BED! Explain that 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 Matt. 28:1-9

Resurrection Morning in Scripture

Matthew 28:1-8

Easter Sunrise!

Read this scripture for some background before you get started. 1 Early on Sunday morning, as the new day was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went out to visit the tomb. 2 Suddenly there was a great earthquake! For an angel of the Lord came down from heaven, rolled aside the stone, and sat on it. 3 His face shone like lightning, and his clothing was as white as snow. 4 The guards shook with fear when they saw him, and they fell into a dead faint. 5 Then the angel spoke to the women. "Don't be afraid!" he said. "I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6 He isn't here! He is risen from the dead, just as he said would happen. Come, see where his body was lying. 7 And now, go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and he is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there. Remember what I have told you." 8 The women ran quickly from the tomb. They were very frightened but also filled with great joy, and they rushed to give the disciples the angel's message. (Scripture from the New Living Translation, © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust. From Bible Gateway.com)

Resurrection Cookies Recipe and Devotional

To be prepared with your children the night before Easter Sunday morning.

Meringue Cookies
Your finished cookies should look similar to these. And yes, they actually are delicious! Photo courtesy stuart_spivack via a Creative Commons license

No comments: