Ladies, this recipe has been around for more than thirty years. It is a beautiful way to share the resurrection story with your little ones in a unique and hands-on way.
Here’s what you’ll need:
- 1 cup pecans (halves or whole)
- 1 teaspoon vinegar
- 3 egg whites (room temperature)
- Pinch of salt
- 1 cup of sugar
- Tape, zipper bag, wooden spoon, waxed paper (or parchment) and a Bible
Directions:
Preheat your oven to 300 degrees before you do anything else.
Place the pecans in a zipper bag and let the kids beat them with a wooden spoon (or rolling pin) to break them up. Explain that when Jesus was arrested, he was beaten by the Roman soldiers. Read John 19:1-3.
Then Pilate had Jesus flogged with a lead-tipped whip. The soldiers wove a crown of thorns and put it on his head, and they put a purple robe on him. “Hail! King of the Jews!” they mocked, as they slapped him across the face.
Let each child smell the vinegar before you put 1 teaspoon into a clean, dry mixing bowl. Explain that when Jesus was on the cross he was given vinegar to drink. Read John 19:28-30.
Jesus knew that his mission was now finished, and to fulfill Scripture he said, “I am thirsty.” A jar of sour wine was sitting there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put it on a hyssop branch, and held it up to his lips. When Jesus had tasted it, he said, “It is finished!” Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
Add the three egg whites to the vinegar in the bowl (please note: eggs separate easier when they are cold, but egg whites whip better at room temperature). Explain that eggs represent life and that Jesus gave His life to give us life. Read John 10:10-11.
The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life. “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep.
Sprinkle a little salt into each child’s hand. Let them taste it and brush the rest into the bowl. Explain that the salt represents the salty tears shed by Jesus’ followers and also the bitterness of our own sin. Read Luke 23:27.
A large crowd trailed behind, including many grief-stricken women.
Begin whipping the mixture on low and once the egg whites are frothy, add 1 cup of sugar slowly, increasing the speed to high. Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because he loves us. He wants us to know Him and belong to Him. Read Psalms 34:8 and John 3:16.
Taste and see that the Lord is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him! Psalm 34:8
“For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16
Continue beating the mixture on high for 4-5 minutes or until stiff peaks form (Don’t overbeat). Explain that the color white represents the purity of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus. Read Isaiah 1:18 and John 3:1-3.
“Come now, let’s settle this,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, I will make them as white as snow. Though they are red like crimson, I will make them as white as wool. Isaiah 1:18
There was a man named Nicodemus, a Jewish religious leader who was a Pharisee. After dark one evening, he came to speak with Jesus. “Rabbi,” he said, “we all know that God has sent you to teach us. Your miraculous signs are evidence that God is with you.” Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God.” John 3:1-3
Gently fold in the broken pecans (I added in a few mini chocolate chips and called them boulders because that’s how I roll!) and drop by tablespoons onto a wax paper covered cookie sheet. Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus’ body was laid. Read Matthew 27:57-60.
As evening approached, Joseph, a rich man from Arimathea who had become a follower of Jesus, went to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. And Pilate issued an order to release it to him. Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a long sheet of clean linen cloth. He placed it in his own new tomb, which had been carved out of the rock. Then he rolled a great stone across the entrance and left.
Put the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door, and turn off the oven! Give each child a piece of tape and let them tape the door shut. Explain that Jesus’ tomb was sealed shut. Read Matthew 27:65-66.
Pilate replied, “Take guards and secure it the best you can.” So they sealed the tomb and posted guards to protect it.
And then, go to bed! Explain to the children that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight and that Jesus’ followers were in despair when they left Jesus in the tomb. Read John 16:20-22.
I tell you the truth, you will weep and mourn over what is going to happen to me, but the world will rejoice. You will grieve, but your grief will suddenly turn to wonderful joy. It will be like a woman suffering the pains of labor. When her child is born, her anguish gives way to joy because she has brought a new baby into the world. So you have sorrow now, but I will see you again; then you will rejoice, and no one can rob you of that joy.
PC: Ann Kirsten
On Easter morning, open the oven and give each child 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 empty. Read Matthew 28:1-9.
Early on Sunday morning, as the new day was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went out to visit the tomb.
Suddenly there was a great earthquake! For an angel of the Lord came down from heaven, rolled aside the stone, and sat on it. His face shone like lightning, and his clothing was as white as snow. The guards shook with fear when they saw him, and they fell into a dead faint.
Then the angel spoke to the women. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead, just as he said would happen. Come, see where his body was lying. 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.”
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. And as they went, Jesus met them and greeted them. And they ran to him, grasped his feet, and worshiped him.
Happy Easter! He has risen, just as he said!
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Read more of Ann’s contributions to AllMomDoes here.
