Our Easter Story cookies

And here they are... our Easter Story cookies, AKA Resurrection cookies. What a spiritual and touching experience to be able to share our intimate feelings of the Savior while baking this special treat. Well, I can't think of a better time to share together than while baking. Can you? Now, this is what childhood memories are made of....

The ingredients here are very basic and simple, as are the symbolic meanings behind them. This picture below shares some of the basic recipe, minus the sugar. An ingredient list follows the picture...


Easter Story cookies, AKA Resurrection cookies

Ingredients

1 cup whole pecans
1 tsp vinegar
3 egg whites
pinch of salt
1 cup sugar
1 zipper baggie
1 wooden spoon
masking tape
Bible

The recipe was helpful to include the symbolism, an explanation of the symbolism, as well as, a scripture to refer to while preparation. I have learned that reading from the scriptures draws upon the spirit and invites all to bear witness of its truths.

As an example, the first step is to break, smash, and beat 1 cup of whole pecans in a Ziploc with a wooden spoon. We gave each family member the opportunity to crush, break and beat the nuts into pieces. Then, we shared the symbol of the broken nuts and the explanation of how the Roman soldiers beat the Savior after his arrest. Then we read the scripture... this can be done while the children beat the pecans into pieces.

This was an emotional experience and a beautiful opportunity to testify of the truth of the divinity of our Savior. No earthly man, or woman for that matter, could endure such pain, terror and death with such peace and strength.

Now, I used a wooden tool of some sort, it was some Pampered Chef gizmo.

Here are the directions laid out for you to experience your own Easter Story cookies. (Directions continue throughout post with pictures...)

Directions

1 Preheat to 300

2. Place pecans in zipper baggie and let children beat them with the wooden spoon to break into small pieces.
Explain: After Jesus' arrest he was beaten by Roman soldiers. Read John 19:1-3

3. Let the children smell the vinegar. Pour 1 tsp of vinegar in mixing bowl.
Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross he was given vinegar to drink. Read John 19:28-30

4. Add egg whites to vinegar. Tell the children that the eggs represent life.
Explain that Jesus gave his life so that we could be resurrected and have eternal life. Read John 10:10-11

5. Sprinkle a little salt into each child's hand. Let them taste it then brush the rest into the bowl.
Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus' followers during the crucifixion. Read Luke 23:27

Ask your child if any of these ingredients used so far are appetizing.

6. Add 1 cup sugar.
Explain that the sweetest part of the Easter story is that Jesus died because he loved us. He wants us to know him and belong to him and to be able to return to the Father.

Read Psalms 34:8

7. Beat with a mixer on high speed for 12 to 15 minutes, until stiff peaks form. (Be sure to beat for entire time, until the 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.

8. Fold in the broken nuts. Drop dough by teaspoon sized mounds onto a cookie sheet covered with wax paper.
Explain that each mound of dough represents the rocky tomb where Jesus' body was laid.

Read Matthew 27:57-60.

(Directions continue below...)

Okay so our mounds were a bit too big, so be sure to drop in teaspoon sized mounds.

9. Put the cookie sheet into the oven, close the door and turn the oven OFF. Give each child a piece of tape and help them seal the oven door closed. Explain that Jesus' tomb was sealed. Read Matthew 27:65-66.

10.Go to bed or proceed with the events of the evening before going to bed. Explain to the children that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight. Jesus' followers despaired when the tomb was sealed. Read John 16:20,22.

11. Before the children get up the next morning, remove the tape and open the oven door. After the children awaken, gather them in the kitchen and give everyone a cookie. Tell them to notice how the surface is cracked and to take a bite. The cookies will be hollow.

Explain that on the first Easter Jesus' followers where amazed to find the tomb open and empty. When they understood what it meant, they rejoiced. Read John 11:25-26.

I was amazed to see how the mixture before beating it was clear in color. As you begin to beat it with the mixer it turns white. Now I am an amateur, so I haven't made this sort of recipe with egg whites before. And this is important, a stand alone mixer is VERY helpful here, unless you have lots of willing hands to mix and beat the mixture until stiff peaks form, which is about 15 minutes.

As mentioned in the recipe's directions, the eggs symbolize life and when they are beaten they turn white, which is a color symbolic of purity and cleansing. It was the warm fuzzies and tearful feeling of gratitude from the spirit that testified to me that the life of Christ (eggs) were beaten, tortured and killed (as with the mixer) to allow us to receive the cleansing power and purity of Christ's resurrected being (beaten egg mixture now turned white). It is only through His life, His sufferings, and probably most importantly His purity, that we may receive this cleansing power.

The white color, for me, symbolized both the purity of Christ and the cleansing power that His atonement and resurrection provide for me, to return to live with Him. 'Cause we all know, I need a good cleansing... probably more often than usual.

What an amazing experience and memory this has been. One more family tradition going down in the books for our Shoup story.

I hope you get to enjoy this Easter Story experience for you and yours. Happy Easter...