When my kiddos were really little, this cookie recipe was always fun! The children participate in the making of the cookies. Each ingredient and each step tells a part of the Easter story – the story of Christ’s suffering and death, as well as His resurrection.

I’ve decided to do them again this year and send a batch to my youngest son’s school for a snack for their Easter party on Thursday.  Even if the children in his class don’t have the opportunity to participate in the whole process like he will, they will still be sharing a conversation-starting treat, and MrCutie knows the story so well that he’ll be able to share at least parts of it with them!

Easter Story Cookies

For maximum effect, begin this recipe on Saturday, the day before Easter.

1 cup chocolate chips (or pecans, but we have to substitute something for the nuts, so we use chocolate chips or craisins)

1 teaspoon vinegar

3 egg whites

pinch salt

1 cup sugar

zipper baggie

wooden spoon or a wooden meat hammer

Tape (duct tape, packing tape or masking tape)

a different colored pen/marker for each child

Bible

Preheat oven to 300*F.

Place chocolate chips (or pecans) in zipper baggie and let children beat them with the wooden spoon or hammer to break them into small pieces. (Ours are kept in the freezer so they break relatively easily, though not into very small bits usually; pecans break pretty nicely when hammered this way, though.)

Explain that after Jesus was arrested he was beaten by the Roman soldiers. Read John 19:1-3.

Let each child smell the vinegar. Put 1 teaspoon of vinegar into the 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 the 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. Then put your pinch of salt in the bowl.

Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus’s followers, and the bitterness of our own sin. Read Luke 23:27

So far, the ingredients in the bowl are not very appetizing! Add 1 cup sugar to the bowl.

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 10 to 15 minutes until stiff peaks form.

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 chips or nuts. Drop by teaspoons onto wax paper covered cookie sheets.

Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus’s 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 to seal the oven door. Let them make a mark or write their initials on the tape with their colored pen/marker.

Explain that Jesus’ tomb was sealed. Read Matthew 27:65-66.

Leave the kitchen. If you’ve been making these cookies just before bedtime, GO TO BED!

Acknowledge that the kids are probably sad that they’ve worked hard to make these cookies, and now have to leave them in the oven overnight. Explain that Jesus’ followers were in sad when Jesus died and the tomb was sealed. Read John 16:20 and 22.

On Easter morning, check the oven to see if it’s still sealed with the same tape that the children put their marks on.

Explain that no one has opened the oven or changed the tape (seal) on the door.

Open the oven and give everyone a cookie. Ask the kids to notice the cracked surface. Have them bite into the cookies. The cookies are hollow!

Explain that on the first Easter morning, Jesus’ followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty. Read Matthew 28:1-9.

You may want to share a prayer or sing a song of praise about Jesus being risen from the dead.

Say to your children, “HE IS RISEN!” and teach them to respond in the traditional way with, “He is risen INDEED!”

This is a GREAT illustration of the Easter story, both in image and in action, that you can share with your family to emphasize the real message of Easter.

Visit AllHomemadeCookies.com for the Original Easter Story Cookies recipe

Find more recipes in my Scrumptious Saturday and Scrumptious Sunday posts.