(To be made the morning before Easter.)

• 1 cup of whole pecans
• 1 teaspoon of vinegar
• 3 egg whites
• A pinch of salt
• 1 cup of sugar
• A zip-lock bag
• A wooden spoon
• Tape, teaspoon, wax paper, cookie sheet, and a BIBLE

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

Place pecans in zip-lock bag and let the child beat them with the wooden spoon to break them into small pieces. Explain that after Jesus was arrested, He was beaten by the Roman soldiers. (Read John 19:1-3)

Let the child smell the vinegar. Put 1 teaspoon of vinegar into the 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 that we may have life. (Read John 10:10-11)

Sprinkle a little salt into the 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 the bitterness of our own sin. (Read Luke 23:27)

So far, the ingredients are not very appetizing. Add 1 cup of 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 Psalms 34:8 and John 3:16)

Beat the mixer on high speed for 12-15 minute (or 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 the broken pecans. Drop by teaspoon 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)

Put the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door and turn the oven OFF. Give the child pieces of tape and seal the oven door. Explain that Jesus’ tomb was sealed. (Read Matthew 27:65-66)

GO TO BED!! Explain that the child may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight, but Jesus’ followers were also in deep 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 of the cookie and then take a bite. The cookies are hollow inside!! Explain that on the first Easter, Jesus’ followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty. (Read Matthew 28:1-9)