Easter Story Cookies

This is a great Easter activity to do with children. This activity is intended to be done on the night before Easter before going to bed.

Ingredients:
1 Cup whole pecans
1 tsp vinegar
3 eggs whites
pinch salt
1 Cup sugar
ziploc bag
wooden spoon
tape
Bible
Preheat oven to 300 degrees

Place the pecans in the ziploc bag, and let the children beat them with the wooden spoon to break in to small pieces.
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 tsp vinegar 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 the vinegar. Eggs represent life.
Explain that Jesus gave His life to give us life.
Read John 10:10-11
Sprinkle a little salt in to each child's hand. Let them taste it, and add a pinch of salt to the bowl.
Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus' followers, and the bitterness of our sin.
Read Luke 23:27
So far the ingredients are not very appealing. Add 1 cup of sugar.
Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He loves us. He wants us to know that and belong to Him.
Read Psalms 34:8, and John 3:16
Beat with a mixer on high speed for 12-16 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
Fold in the broken nuts. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto wax paper covered cookie sheet.
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 Matthew 27:65-66
Go to bed! Explain that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven over night. Jesus' followers were in despair when the tomb was sealed.
Read John 16:20, 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 morning, Jesus' followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty.
Read Mattew 28:1-9
Happy Easter!

Cinnamon Rolls

This is the cinnamon roll recipe I use. Sometimes they turn out GREAT, and other times they just turn out good. :) I think it has to do with how thick I roll them out. I like to roll them out a little on the thick side.

Combine:
2 C. scalded milk
1/3 C. sugar
1 tsp. salt
1 1/2 cubes butter
Let cool

In a separate bowl, combine
1 pkg. (or 2 1/2 tsp.) yeast
1/4 C. warm water
When yeast starts to activate, add:
3 tsp vanilla
3 eggs, beaten

Add butter mixture to yeast mixture
Add 5-6 cups flour. Let raise. Beat down, repeat.
This dough might be a little sticky.
Roll out on a floured board.
I roll out the dough, then spread melted butter on the dough.
Sprinkle with about 1/2 cup of sugar, and 4 tsp. cinnamon
Roll dough up, and slice. Place on greased cookie sheet and let rise.
Bake 375 for about 20 minutes, or until lightly browned.
Drizzle with frosting.

Frosting:
I don't have a written recipe for the frosting. I just make it by combining about 4 tablespoons softened butter or margarine with powdered sugar. I add the powdered sugar until it is thick, then I drizzle in a little milk. I also add about a teaspoon of vanilla. You want a runny icing that you can drizzle on the rolls. I prefer to let them cool a little first.