Easter Meringue Cookies: A Memorable Way to Teach the Easter Story
It’s very easy, isn’t it, for Easter to become all about Easter baskets, Easter bonnet parades at school, chocolate bunnies (or bilbies!), and Easter egg hunts in the garden? In all the excitement and hoopla the true meaning of this holiest of celebrations can get a bit lost, especially for the younger members of the family.
But no matter the age, this ‘hands on’ lesson is one that kids can relate to and will remember, reinforcing the true meaning of Easter. The ‘Easter Cookie Story’ is a great tradition to start with your family this Easter. This is a meaningful and enjoyable cooking activity making delicious meringue cookies while also hearing the Easter story read from the Bible. Many years ago I taught kindergarten and this is an activity I would share with the families each Easter.
The Easter Cookie Story
To be made the evening before Easter Sunday, just before bed-time. (Leaving over-night gives best results)
You will need:
1 cup of whole pecans
1 tsp white vinegar
3 egg whites
A pinch of salt
1 cup of white sugar
A medium sized zip lock bag
Wooden spoon or wooden rolling pin
Medium to large sized mixing bowl
Lined baking tray
Masking tape/gaffa tape
Your Bible
1. Preheat oven to 150 degrees – don’t miss this step.
2. Place pecans in the zip lock bag and let children beat them with the wooden spoon or rolling pin to break into small pieces. Explain that after Jesus was arrested, the Roman soldiers beat him. Read John 19:1-3.
3. Let each child smell the vinegar. Put 1 tsp vinegar into 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. Eggs represent life. Explain that Jesus gave His life to give us life. Read John 10:10-11.
5. Sprinkle a little salt into each child’s hand. Let them taste it and brush the rest into the bowl. Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus’ followers, and the bitterness of our own sin. Read Luke 23:27.
6. So far the ingredients are not very appetising. 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 and belong to Him. Read Psalm 34:8 and John 3:16.
7. Beat with a mixer on high speed for 12 to 15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed. Explain that the colour 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.
8. Fold in broken nuts. Drop spoonfuls onto a paper covered baking tray. Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus’ body was laid. Read Matthew 27:57-60.
9. Put the tray 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.
10. GO TO BED! Explain that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight. Jesus’ followers were in despair when the tomb was sealed. Read John 16:20 and 22.
11. On Easter morning, open the oven and give everyone a meringue. Notice the cracked surface and take a bite. They’re hollow! On the first Easter Jesus’ followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty. Read Luke 24:1-12, Romans 6:8-11 and 1 Peter 1:3.
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Not only does this lesson walk you through the Easter story, it focuses on the truth of Jesus’ resurrection and how it gives us hope for the future. If you are looking for a fun activity to do with children, your own or grandkids or even neighbourhood children, give this recipe a try and start a new Easter tradition this year.
Images by Annie Spratt on Unsplash