Easter Story Biscuits - aka Resurrection Cookies

Here's something you might want to try if you have children who like cooking. It is a retelling of the Easter Story - and as you read it, you make biscuits. Five simple ingredients - but do read the recipe through first so you understand the method. Make in the evening, bake overnight.

The bible verses are listed after each instruction.

You need these things

• 1 cup whole nuts [almond, walnuts, pecans, hazelnuts – whatever you have! - or use a handful of cornflakes]
• 1 teaspoon vinegar
• 3 egg whites [separate them before you start. Use the yolks in another recipe]
• pinch salt
• 1 cup sugar
• Ziploc plastic bag
• Mixing bowl
• wooden spoon
• baking sheet lined with greaseproof/parchment paper
• masking tape

Method

Preheat oven to 150ºC [IMPORTANT, do it NOW don't wait till you're halfway through the recipe!]

Place nuts in the bag 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.  [John chapter 19; 1-3 “So the Roman Governor Pilate took Jesus and had him beaten by the soldiers. The soldiers, having plaited a crown from thorns, set it on his head, threw a purple robe over him, and approached him with, “Hail, King of the Jews!” Then they greeted him with slaps in the face”.]

Let each child smell the vinegar.  Put 1tsp vinegar into mixing bowl.  Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross, he was given vinegar to drink.  [Read John 19:28-30. Jesus, said, “I’m thirsty.” A jug of sour wine like vinegar was standing by. Someone put a sponge soaked with the vinegar on a spear and lifted it to his mouth. After he drunk it, Jesus said, “It’s done . . . complete.” Bowing his head, he died.]

Add egg whites to vinegar.  Eggs represent new life.  Explain that Jesus gave His life to give us life.  [Read John 10:10-11. “I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of. I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd puts the sheep before himself, sacrifices himself if necessary.”]

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 sadness we feel when we make mistakes and do wrong things.  [Read Luke 23:27.” A huge crowd of people followed, along with many women weeping”]

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 him and be his friends.  [Read Psalm 34:8 Open your mouth and taste, open your eyes and see—
how good God is. and John 3:16.  “This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life”]

Beat with a mixer on high speed for 12 to 15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed.  Explain that the colour white represents the purity in God's eyes of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus.  [Read Isaiah 1:18 The Lord says, “Now, let's get this sorted out. You are stained red with sin, but I will wash you as clean as snow” ]

Fold in broken nuts.  Drop by teaspoons onto wax paper on a baking sheet.  Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus' body was laid.  [Read Matthew 27:60. A rich man called Joseph took the body of Jesus and wrapped it in clean linens, put it in his own tomb, a new tomb only recently cut into the rock, and rolled a large stone across the entrance.]

Put the baking 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 Matthew 27:65-66. “Take a guard,” Governor Pilate ordered; “go and make the tomb as secure as you can.”  So they left and made the tomb secure by putting a seal on the stone and leaving the guard on watch.]

GO TO BED!  Explain that the children 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 & 22.” I am telling you the truth: you will cry and weep, but the world will be glad; you will be sad, but your sadness will turn into gladness - That is how it is with you: now you are sad, but I will see you again, and your hearts will be filled with gladness, the kind of gladness that no one can take away from you.”]

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 Matthew 28:1-9. As Sunday morning was dawning, Mary and her friend went to look at the tomb.  Suddenly there was a violent earthquake; an angel of the Lord came down from heaven, rolled the stone away, and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid that they trembled and became like dead men. The angel spoke to the women. “You must not be afraid,” he said. “I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has been raised to life again, just as he said. Come here and see the place where he was lying. Go quickly now, and tell his disciples, ‘He has been raised from death, and now he is going to Galilee ahead of you; there you will see him!’ Remember what I have told you.” So the women left the tomb in a hurry, afraid and yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them and said, “Peace be with you.” They came to him, knelt down and worshipped him. “Do not be afraid,” Jesus said to them. “Go and tell my friends to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.”]

Happy Easter everyone, Jesus is Alive!

©AA/UCF/04/20