Easter Meringues

I don't know why it is, but we have no Easter traditions in our family. Oh sure, the Easter bunny visits, and we cook up a ham, but that's it. I thought that was particularly odd considering all the little quirky things we do for Christmas.  It's even more odd, when you think about it, that if there was no Easter (I'm referring to the Christian holiday, not Ostara), there'd be no Christmas.

Anyhow, when I saw this fun recipe for meringues over at the blog Mommy's Idea Cookbook, I thought it would be a fun thing for all three of us to do together as a family, and possibly start a new Easter tradition.  This recipe incorporates Scripture into the baking steps, each relating to the death and resurrection of Jesus.

Even though we were all exhausted from all the yard work we'd done during the day on Saturday, and we were getting up for the 6AM service on Easter Sunday, we made these Easter meringues right after dinner.

Goldfish crackers optional

I'd never made meringue cookies before, and with last year's Resurrection Roll Flop, I was a bit worried they wouldn't turn out as planned.

But they did!  The centers were hollow like they were supposed to be!  And they tasted light as air.

Mrblocko thought the cookies were too sweet, but Blockette and I loved them.  I plan on making these again next year!


Easter Meringues from Mommy's Idea Book
1 c. whole pecans
1 tsp. vinegar
3 egg whites
pinch salt
1 c. sugar
zipper baggie
wooden spoon
tape
Bible

Preheat Oven to 300 F. (Note: Do this first, don’t wait until you are half way done with the recipe!) Place pecans in Ziploc bag and let your children beat them with the wooden spoon to break into 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 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 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 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.

So far the ingredients are not very appetizing. Add 1 c. sugar.

Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He loves us, He wants us to know that and He wants us to love Him as well.

Read Psalms 34:8 and John 3:16.

Beat with a mixer on high speed for 12 to 15 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 broken nuts. Drop by teaspoons 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.

IT”S TIME TO 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 Sunday morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie. Notice the cracked surface and take a bite. The cookies are hollow! On Resurrection morning, Jesus’ followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty.

Read Matthew 28:1-9.

THE LORD JESUS HAS RISEN!!! HE IS ALIVE!! (...yup.)