The Queen made cookies similar to these while growing up. We called them "Forgotten Cookies" because you put them in the oven and "Forgot" them overnight. A few years ago, I saw a slightly different version of the recipe and a lesson to go along with them. You can make them any night during Holy Week for Easter preparation.
What you'll need:
pecans (The prince has nut allergies, so we use mini chocolate chips), vinegar, egg whites, salt, sugar
Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F. DO IT NOW. Don't wait.
Place the nuts (or chips) in a zipper baggy and let children beat them with a wooden spoon. (If using nuts, you want them broken into small pieces. The mini chips are fine if left whole.) Explain that Jesus was arrested. He was beaten by Roman soldiers. (save these for later in the recipe)
Let each child smell the vinegar. Put the vinegar into the mixing bowl. Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross, He was given vinegar to drink.
Add egg whites to vinegar. Eggs represent life. Explain that Jesus gave His life to give us life.
Sprinkle a little salt on 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.
Add the sugar. Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He loves us.
Beat with a mixer on high speed for 12-15 minutes until stiff peaks form. Explain the color white represents the purity in God's eyes of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus.
Fold in the nuts (or chips). Drop by teaspoons onto waxed paper lined cookie sheet. Explain that each mound represents 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. Explain that Jesus' tomb was sealed.
You may have to tell the children that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight. Jesus' followers were sad when the tomb was sealed.
The next morning, open the oven and give each one a cookie. Take a bite. The cookies are hollow! On the first Easter, Jesus' followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty.
Edited to add: This was a basic level of discussion for the prince and princess. You could add scripture study to the discussion for older children ... or even adults.
Resurrection Cookies
1 cup pecans or mini chocolate chips
1 tsp. vinegar
3 egg whites
a pinch of salt
1 cup sugar
Preheat oven to 300 degrees F. NOW!
Place nuts or chips into zipper bag and crush with wooden spoon.
Put 1 tsp. vinegar, 3 egg whites, pinch of salt and 1 cup sugar into a mixing bowl. Beat with mixer on high speed for 12-15 minutes until stiff peaks form. Fold in nuts or chips.
Drop by teaspoon onto wax paper-lined cookie sheet.
Put cookie sheets in oven and TURN OVEN OFF!
Leave in oven overnight.
I'm sharing this recipe on Tidy Mom I'm Lovin' It, Bake at 350, Strut Your Stuff, Foodie Friday, and Sweet Thursday. Stop by and see what other recipes and ideas you can find.
The grass is green. It is good to be The Cow Queen.
Friday, April 2, 2010
April 2, 2010 at 1:18 PM
This is a powerful lesson for children and adults, as well. Thanks so much for sharing. Happy, blessed Easter to you and your family. ♥♫