Free Recipe Friday. . . An Empty Tomb!

These cookies are called “Forgotten Cookies” 

because you leave them in the oven overnight…..forgotten. 

They are also called Empty Tomb Cookies
or Easter Story Cookies.

These are not just cookies though,
but a reminder of what Easter is all about.   

 It is an amaaaaazing activity that you MUST do
with your kids/grandkids – 

it’s also a pretty great reminder for grown-ups too ;)

I've even linked the scriptures for ya!

 These cookies need to be made
the evening before Easter or sooner, so plan ahead!

We use mini chocolate chips in ours
in addition to the nuts.

You can certainly substitute
the chocolate for the nuts completely.  

 These cookies are yummy
and the recipe makes about 4 dozen!!!

WHAT YOU WILL NEED:

1 cup whole pecans (or walnuts)

1 teaspoon vinegar

3 egg whites

Pinch of salt

1 cup sugar

Zipper baggie

Wooden spoon

Tape

Bible

Mixer (preferably a stand mixer)

WHAT TO DO:

Preheat your oven to 300 degrees.

Cover a cookie sheet with wax
or parchment paper and set aside.

Now, place pecans in zipper baggie
and let children beat them 

with the wooden spoon to break into small pieces.
Set nuts and/or chocolate aside to add in later.  

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 teaspoon vinegar into the 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 into each child’s hand.  

 Let them taste it and brush the rest
of it into the mixing bowl.   

Explain that this represents the salty tears
shed by Jesus’ followers 

and the bitterness of our own sin. 
Read Luke 23:27

So far the ingredients are not very appetizing. 

  

Add 1 cup sugar to the other ingredients.   

Explain that the sweetest part of the story
is that Jesus died because He loves us.  

 He wants us to know Him and to belong to Him.
Read Psalm 34:8 and John 3:16.

Beat with a mixer on high speed
for 12-15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed
(this is where a stand mixer comes in handy,
unless you want an arm workout).
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 2:1-3

Fold in broken nuts (and/or chocolate chips).   

Drop by teaspoons onto
a wax/parchment 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 overnight.  

 Jesus’ followers were in despair
when the tomb was sealed.
Read John 16:20 and 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, Jesus' followers were amazed

to find the tomb open and empty.

 Read Matthew 28:1-9

 If you haven't already, I hope you'll take some time

and make these special cookies with your family.

Hopefully it will become a tradition for you as well!

Happy Cooking!