Easter Story Cookies

I received this recipe from a dear friend at work. My Granddaughters loved making the cookies as much as eating them them on Easter morning. This was also made by several of my friends after viewing Mel Gibsons film "The Passion of the Christ". I have given this recipe to all of my friends at church. Great for children 1 to 100.

• Ready In: 25 hrs
• Serves: 6

Ingredients

• 1  cup whole pecans
• 3  egg whites
• 1  cup sugar
• 1  teaspoon vinegar
• 1⁄8 teaspoon salt (I used a small pinch)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees.
2. Place pecans in a zip lock bag, close the bag, and let the children beat the bag with a wooden spoon to break the pecans into small pieces.
3. Explain to the children that after Jesus was arrested, the Roman soldiers beat him.
4. Let the children smell the vinegar.
5. Put the vinegar into a mixing bowl.
6. Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross he was given vinegar to drink.
7. Add egg whites to the vinegar.
8. Eggs represent life.
9. Explain that Jesus gave his life to give us life.
10. Sprinkle a little salt into each child's hands.
11. Let them taste it and brush the rest into the bowl.
12. Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus' followers, and the bitterness of our sin.
13. So far the ingredients aren't very appetizing.
14. Add 1 cup sugar.
15. Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He loves us.
16. He wants us to know and belong to him.
17. Beat with a mixer on high speed for 12 to 15 minutes until the stiff peaks form.
18. Explain that the color white represents the purity in God's eyes of those whose sin have been cleansed by Jesus.
19. Fold in Broken Nuts.
20. Drop by teaspoons onto a cookie sheet covered with wax paper.
21. Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus' body was laid.
22. Put the cookie sheet in the oven and turn OFF.
23. Give each child a piece of tape and seal the oven door.
24. Explain that Jesus' tomb was sealed.
25. Go to bed.
26. Explain to the children that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight.
27. Jesus' followers were in despair when the tomb was sealed.
28. On Easter morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie.
29. Notice the cracked surface and take a bite.
30. The cookies are HOLLOW!
31. On the first Easter Jesus' followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty.
32. He has risen!
33. Happy Easter Everyone!