Empty Tomb Cookies

This was a recipe shared with me by a good friend. It is a really great Easter activity with your kids. They aren't the best tasting cookies (to me) but the message is wonderful and the kids love it.(thanks Laura)

to be made the night before Easter
Ingredients:
1 cup whole pecans
1 tsp vinegar
3 egg whites (at room temperature)
pinch of salt
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup mini chocolate chips (optional)

Zip-lock plastic bag
wooden spoon
duct tape or baking tape
Bible
wax paper

1. preheat oven to 300 degrees.
2. Place pecans in Zip-lock bag and let the 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)
3. Let each child smell the vinegar. Put one teaspoon vinegar into mixing bowl. Explain that when Jesus was thirsty at the cross, he was given vinegar to drink (read John 19:28-30)
4. Add egg whites that are at room temperature (important) to the vinegar. Eggs represent life. Explain that Jesus gave His life to give us life.
(read John 10:10-11)
5. 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 sin. (read Luke 23:26-28).
6. So far, the ingredients are not very appetizing. Add one cup of sugar. Explain that the sweet part of the story is that Jesus died because he loves us. He wants us to know Him and belong to him (read Psalm 34:8 and John 3:16).
7. Beat ingredients with a mixer on high speed for 12-15 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).
8. Fold in broken nuts and mini chocolate chips. Drop by teaspoons onto a wax paper covered cookie sheet. Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus' body was laid. (read Matthew 27:65-66).
9. 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)
10. Tell the kid's that it is time to 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 and 22)

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. He had risen! (read Matthew 28:1-9)