Empty Tomb or Resurrection Cookies
I first made these with my oldest children at home and then with my classroom of first graders. I taught in a small private school so we had access to a kitchen as well as many other blessings that went along with a small loving environment :) Every year the children loved and remembered the story of Jesus death and ressurection so much better than if I'd simply read the story. I'm a firm believer in doing--while hearing and seeing-- makes the lessons "stick".
Ingredients:
- 1 cup whole pecans
- 1 tsp. vinegar
- 3 egg whites
- 1 pinch salt
- 1 cup sugar
- gallon size zip top bag
- wooden spoon
- tape
- Bible
Directions:
1. Preheat the oven to 300 degrees. Don't forget to do this FIRST.2. Put the pecans in the plastic bag. Let the children take turns breaking them by beating with a wooden spoon. Don’t crush them finely, but leave in large pieces.Explain that Jesus was arrested and beaten by the soldiers. Read John 19:1-33.
3. Let the children smell the vinegar. Pour it in a mixing bowl. Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross, they gave him vinegar to drink. Read John 19:28-30.4.
4. Pour the egg whites into the mixing bowl with the vinegar.Explain that eggs represent life. Jesus gave his life so that we can have life. Read John 10:10-11.
5. Sprinkle salt into each child’s hand and let them taste it. Put a dash of salt in the mixing bowl.
Explain that salt represents the tears shed by Jesus’ disciples. It also represents the bitterness of our own sin. Read Luke 23:27.
6. Add 1 cup sugar to the mixing bowl.
Explain that this is the sweetest part of the story. Jesus died because he loves us. He wants us to know and belong to him. Read Psalm 34:8 and John 3:16.
7. Beat the egg whites with a mixer on high speed for 12-15 minutes until it forms stiff peaks.
Explain that the white color 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.
8. Fold the broken nuts into the beaten egg whites. Drop by teaspoons onto wax paper covered cookie sheets.
Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus’ body was laid. Read Matthew 27:57-60.
9. Put the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door and turn the oven OFF. Give each child a piece of tape and let them seal the oven door.
Explain that Jesus’ tomb was sealed. Read Matthew 27:65-66.
10. Go to bed!
Explain that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven. Jesus’ followers were very sad when the tomb was sealed. Read John 16:20 and 22.
11. On Easter morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie. Let them take a bite and show them that they are hollow inside!
On the first Easter morning Jesus’ followers were amazed to find his tomb open and empty. Read Matthew 28:1-9.
He has risen!
