You will need: 1 cup whole pecans or freeze dried raspberries if preferred 1 tsp vinegar 3 egg whites 1 pinch salt 170 g /6 oz caster sugar Strong plastic bag Wooden spoon, rolling pin, baking tray, baking parchment Masking Tape
Instructions
Preheat oven to 300F, 150C, Gas Mark 2 (Important — don’t wait until you’re half way through the recipe!)
Place the nuts in the plastic bag and let the children beat them with the rolling pin to break into small pieces. Explain that after Jesus was arrested, he was beaten by the Roman soldiers.
Let each child smell the vinegar. Put 1tsp. vinegar into mixing bowl. Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross, he was given vinegar to drink.
Add egg whites to vinegar. Because living chicks come from eggs, eggs remind us of life. Explain that Jesus gave up his life to give the whole world a wonderful new life.
Sprinkle a little salt into each child’s hand and let them taste it. Add a pinch to the bowl. Explain that this reminds us of the salty tears cried by Jesus’ friends.
So far, the ingredients are not very tasty!
Now add 170g sugar. Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that although Jesus died, he did it because he loves each of us and the whole of the world. He wants us to know him and follow him.
Beat with a mixer on high speed until stiff peaks are formed (7-10 minutes). Explain that the colour white reminds us of something very clean. Coming to Jesus and saying sorry for the things we have done wrong gives us a fresh start: like a new piece of paper that we can write or draw beautiful things on.
Fold in broken nuts/raspberries. Then drop teaspoonfuls of the mixture onto baking parchment on a baking tray. Explain that each mound reminds us of the rocky tomb where Jesus’ body was laid.
Put the baking tray in the oven, close the door and turn the oven OFF. Give each child a small piece of tape and ‘seal’ the oven door. Explain that Jesus’ tomb was sealed.
GO TO BED! Explain that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight and that Jesus’ friends were in despair when the tomb was sealed. They thought it was the end of the story...
On Easter morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie. Encourage them to look at
the cracked surface and then take a bite. The cookies are hollow! On the first Easter, Jesus’
friends were amazed to find the tomb open and empty. A new story was just beginning - a story that we are part of!
Image by Steve Buissinne from Pixabay