Resurrection Cookies

This recipe came in my MOPS magazine this month and I thought it was so cute! I was hoping to do this with our kids over Easter and then I remembered that we'll be in NC for easter! So maybe a bunch of us can do this together. :)

Need:
1 c. pecans (or 1 c. mini chocolate chips)
1 tsp. vinegar
3 egg whites
pinch of salt
1 c. sugar
red food coloring
ziploc bag, wooden spoon, tape, scriptures

Preheat oven to 300 degrees.
Place pecans in bag 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 each child smell the vinegar (or dip finger in to taste) before putting it into a 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 so that we could live again. Read Mormon 9:13 (this was originally John 10:10-11 but I felt the other scripture explained it better.)
Sprinkle a little salt into each child's hand. Let them taste it and brush the rest into the bowl. Then have them put in a drop of red food coloring. Explain that this represents the bitterness of our sins that Jesus took upon himself and the blood that he sweat as he atoned for our sins. Read Luke 22:42, 44. (I changed this one too. It didn't have the red food coloring, and the salt was to represent the salty tears shed by jesus' followers and the bitterness of our own sin. reading Luke 23:27)
Add sugar. Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus atoned for us and died for us because He loves us. He knows us and wants us to know Him. Read Moses 1:39 and John 3:16-17.
Beat egg white mixture with a mixer on high speed for 12-15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed. Explain that much work is needed to repent and become like Jesus and gain the gift of eternal life that He provided for us. Read Alma 34:37-38. (since they didn't use the red food coloring they said to explain that the color white represents the purity of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus reading Isaiah 1:18 and John 3:1-3.)
Fold in broken nuts. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto a cookie sheet covered with wax paper. 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 Matt 27:65-66.
Go to bed! Explain that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight. Jesus' followers felt despair when the tomb was sealed, too. Read John 16:20-22.
On Easter morning, open the oven and give everyone a cooke. 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. He is risen! Read Matthew 28:1-9.

I thought this was a great way to have fun talking to kids about the real reason for Easter! I changed some of it because I wanted to include the atonement with the resurrection, but if you don't you could leave it the original way. Happy Easter!