I don’t really get into religion at all here. I feel it’s personal and there is nothing I can say that will ever change your mind about your own beliefs…so I don’t bother. But with Easter approaching, I just wanted to share something that I have been doing with my boys at Easter time. Actually, I think this will be the first year I’ve done it with the twins since they are finally old enough to participate and understand (if only a little).
I am not Catholic, but this recipe and story guide can be found on many Catholic websites as well as other Christian based sites. If you believe in Jesus and that he rose from the dead on Easter morning, then you might like this simple and interactive activity to help your children learn the story. It always makes me really happy to do this with my son. It’s just one of those “special” things for me.
Easter Meringue Cookies or Resurrection Cookies
Ingredients/Supplies Needed:
- 1 Cup Whole Pecans
- 1 teaspoon white vinegar
- 3 egg whites
- pinch of salt
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- zip-lock bag
- wooden spoon
- tape
- Bible
Preheat oven to 300 degrees
Place pecans in the ziploc bag. Have the children beat the pecans with the wooden spoon to break them into small pieces. Reading: John 19:1-3
Explanation: after Jesus was arrested, He was beaten by the Roman soldiers.
Let each child smell the vinegar, noting the pungent smell. If they want, have them just taste it on their finger. Put 1 teaspoon vinegar into mixing bowl. Reading: John 19:28-30
Explanation: When Jesus said “I thirst” when dying on the cross the soldiers gave Him vinegar to drink.
Add egg whites to the vinegar. Eggs represent new life. Reading: John 10:10-11
Explanation: Jesus gave His life to give us life, and on Easter Sunday He came back to life.
Sprinkle a little salt into each child’s hand. Let them taste it and brush the rest into the bowl. Reading: Luke 23:27
Explanation: The salt represents the salty tears shed by Jesus’ followers, and the bitterness of our own sin.
So far the ingredients are not very appetizing.
Add 1 cup sugar. Reading: Psalm 34:8 and John 3:16
Explanation: The sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He loves us. He wants us to know and belong to Him.
Beat with a mixer on high speed for 12 to 15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed. Reading: Isaiah 1:18 and John 3:1-3
Explanation: The color white represents the purity in God’s eyes of those whose sins have been washed clean by Jesus’ sufferings and death.
Fold in broken nuts. Drop by teaspoons onto wax paper covered cookie sheet. Reading: Matt. 27:57-60
Explanation: Each mound reminds us of the rocky tomb where Jesus’ body was laid.
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. Reading: Matt. 27:65-66
Explanation: Jesus’ tomb was sealed with a large stone and soldiers guarded the entrance.
GO TO BED! Reading: John 16:20 and 22
Explanation: The children may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight without seeing or tasting the results right away. Jesus’ followers were in despair when the tomb was sealed.
On Easter morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie. Notice the cracked surface and take a bite. The cookies are hollow! Reading: Matt. 28:1-9
Explanation: On the first Easter Jesus’ followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty.
Now, go find your Easter Basket. 
Welcome to OhRheally?, My name is Rhea and I share stories of life raising 3 sons, my experiences as a (recently retired) 
Oh Rhea, thanks so very much for posting this. I will be doing this with Olivia, she might not understand yet but she will when she gets older.
You’re welcome.
I’m glad someone can use it. I think it’s my favorite part of Easter…besides the Reece’s Eggs. LOL
Very cool–thanks for sharing.
Thanks for sharing! How many does it make?
I’m sorry, I honestly don’t remember. It wasn’t alot…maybe a dozen or so. Depends on how big you drop them.
Oh I love this idea. Do you think chocolate chips would be a good substitution for the nuts? My daughter is allergic so no nuts over here but I wasn’t sure how the chips would work with the recipe and I am stumped on what else can resemble rocks/earth.
I don’t see why not. I just don’t like nuts, so I left them out. But I bet chocolate chips would work really well.
i used pretzel sticks instead of nuts – the kids crushed them up in a plastic bag – almost too much like bones
tasted good
What a wonderful object lesson with some great tasting treats at the end.
Found you through google. Thanks for this post. Will be making these tonight (Good Friday) at our girls’ sleepover in West Virginia