Creating Easter Memories

From Life Take 1
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On of my favorite things about holidays is the opportunity to create more memories with my children. Growing up, memory-making opportunities were few and far between so I tend to go a little overboard with all the decorating and traditions. My goal, despite all the decorations, is to get to the heart of the holiday. I want to create memories and traditions around the true meaning for these celebrations.

Easter is this weekend, and I am off to my kitchen to create memories with the boys. Come and join us! How about an old tried and true favorite? This is an old recipe that has been making its rounds on the Internet for at least the last 5 years if not longer. The original creator has some how been lost over the years. Whoever you are … thank you for the wonderful family memories you have helped me to create!

Resurrection Cookies

Ingredients: Things Needed:
1-cup Whole Pecans Mixing Bowl
3 Egg Whites Wooden Spoon
1-cup Sugar Bible
1-teaspoon vinegar Zipper Baggy
1 pinch of Salt Wax Paper
Cookie Sheet
Tape

There are 2 things you should know before starting this recipe.
This is best done made on the Saturday before Easter in the late evening right before going to bed. You MUST preheat the oven to 300° before starting the recipe.

Preheat oven to 300°F degrees. Place the pecans in a plastic freezer bag. Let your child break the pecans into small pieces by beating them with a wooden spoon. Explain that after Jesus was arrested, Roman soldiers beat him.
Read John 19:1-3


Let each child smell the vinegar. Put 1-teaspoon vinegar 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 sin.
Read: Luke 23:27


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 and belong to Him.
Read: Psalm 34:8 and John 3:16

Beat with a mixer on high speed for 12 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 27:57-60


Put the cookie 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


GO TO BED! 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 16:20-22

On Resurrection Sunday (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

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I love the idea behind that recipe so much! BUT what happens if your children are to young for that? What if they need something simpler? This is an alternative for the preschool, early elementary, time rushed families out there.


Easy Resurrection Cookies

Ingredients: Things Needed:
1 can of Pillsbury Croissant Rolls Mixing Bowl
8 Large Marshmallows Wooden Spoon
1/3-cup Sugar Bible
3-tablespoons of Cinnamon Cookie Sheet
2-tablespoons melted butter or margarine

Preheat oven to according to package directions.

Mix together Cinnamon and sugar in a bowl. Explain that after Jesus was arrested, Roman soldiers beat him. The marshmallow represents Jesus. The cinnamon represents his scars. The sugar represents the sweetest part of the story. Why Jesus died … because he loved us! Take one of your marshmallows and roll it in the butter then the mixture of cinnamon and sugar. My boys also beat their marshmallows with a spoon as I read the story to them. Discuss what they think it would have felt like to endure all of this.
Read John 19:1-3; Psalm 34:8; John 3:16


Lay out your Croissant roll dough. Place a marshmallow in the center and fold the sides up. Pinch the dough tightly closed so that you cannot see anything. Explain that Jesus is now sealed inside his tomb.
Read: Matthew 27:57-60; Matthew 27:65-66

Place in oven and cook accord to package directions.
Read: John 16:20-22

Remove from the oven and give everyone a roll. Be careful not to squish them when removing them from the tray. The rolls are hollow! On the first Easter Jesus' followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty.
Read: Matthew 28:1-9

Enjoy your time in the Kitchen together this week! Happy Easter Everyone!!