This weekend we will be making Resurrection Cookies with the girls – a tradition that we have done off and on for many years. In fact, while looking for the recipe, I was reminded that I shared it (and a few other Easter ideas) back in our March 2008 Riedy Reader! Yes, that many years ago – look at our picture circa 2008! Traditions are a wonderful part of the holidays -especially when we can connect those traditions to truths of the Bible. And it is never too late (or too early) to start those traditions.
Below I’ve included those same ideas from our 2008 letter – maybe this is the year to give one a try with your own kids, grandkids, or even go borrow a neighbor’s children! While you’re at it – share the true meaning of Easter – Our Savior died and rose again to take away all of our sins! (We’ve included some tips for you in the recipes).
Resurrection Cookies (meringues)
Read the whole recipe before beginning, it is much easier than it looks! Much of the directions relate to the story to tell with your children while making the cookies. Try to do it together with the children on the Saturday night before Easter Sunday.
Ingredients:
- 1 Cup shelled WHOLE pecans
- 3 Egg whites
- 1 Cup sugar
- 1 tsp. Vinegar
- Pinch of salt
Preheat oven to 300 degrees.
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, the Roman soldiers beat him. Read John 19:1-3
Let children smell the vinegar. Put 1 teaspoon 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 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 sins. Read Luke 23:27
So far the ingredients are not very appetizing. Add 1 cup of sugar, a little bit at a time while beating mixture. (See next step.) 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 Psalm 34:8 and John 3:16
Beat with a mixer on high speed for 11 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 Isaiah 1:18 and John 3:1-3
Fold in broken nuts. Drop by teaspoon onto waxed paper covered cookie sheet. Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus’ body was laid. Read Matthew 27:65-66
Put cookie sheet in oven. Close door and turn oven OFF. Give each child a piece of tape and “seal” the oven door. Explain that Jesus’ tomb was sealed. Read Matthew 27:65-66
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. GO TO BED!!
On Resurrection morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie! Notice the cracked surface and take a bite. The cookies are hollow! On the first Resurrection Day, Jesus’ followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty. Read Matthew 28:1-9
Resurrection Rolls – Simple Version
Ingredients:
- Tube style crescent rolls (Pillsbury type)
- Marshmallows (same number as rolls)
- Cinnamon/sugar mix (use as much as you like)
Preheat oven, unroll and separate crescent rolls, as directed on package- place dough flat on cookie sheet- don’t roll up yet
- Your marshmallow represents Jesus, you can talk about how the white color represents His sinless nature, yet He died for our sins
- Cinnamon/sugar mix represents the spices the women placed on Jesus body after He died; roll your marshmallow in the mix
- The Crescent roll represents the grave clothes that Jesus was wrapped in, roll up your marshmallow inside the dough
- The oven represents the tomb, place the cookie sheet in the oven and bake according to package directions
- When the rolls are done, the crescent rolls should be empty, just like Jesus grave clothes!
- Depending on the age of the child, you can add in as much scripture and story from the more advanced version above.
Simple ‘No Bake’ idea
On Good Friday, let your children paint a large box with gray or black paint to represent the tomb of Jesus. Tell the children there will be a surprise on Sunday. After they have gone to bed Saturday night, place a white, helium-filled balloon inside the gray box with a large rock on top of the lid. On Sunday morning, take the family outside. Remove the rock and the box lid. Watch the balloon ascend and sing together the first verse of “Christ the Lord Is Risen Today.”
“Christ is Risen” “Christ is Risen, Indeed!”