Holy Saturday, April 11, Easter Craft, Resurrection Cookies and Lamb Cupcakes

Craft courtesy of Nikki Mahn

One more day until Easter! The kiddos are getting very excited. This craft is fun and will keep them focused on Jesus, the Lamb of God.  It is simple and easy to make. Chances are you already have the supplies you need on hand. Here is what you need:

Materials:
Construction paper
Crayons, markers, paint
Glue
Cotton balls
Clothespins
Scissors

Cut out:
1 heart
1 circle
1 lamb head w/ears & eyes
1 “Lamb of God” sign
Directions:

1) Glue the circle to the heart.
2. Draw the lamb's head and cut it out. Glue it to the center of the circle.
3. Glue cotton balls around the lambs head.
4. Cut out the Lamb of God sign and write Lamb of God. Edge its border with markers like stitching a hem.
5. Stitch around the border of the heart like a hem.
6. Glue the googlie eyes and glue or tape on the clothespins for legs.
    Viola! Your own Easter lamb.

 Resurrection Cookies

I love this cookie! I do like meringues, but that is not what I love about the cookie. It is the story that goes with the cookie. I hope you and your children or grandchildren will find it as wonderful as I do.

Ingredients                                                                           1 zip lock bag
1 cup whole pecans                                                               wooden spoon
3 egg whites                                                                          tape
pinch of salt                                                                          Bible
1 cup of sugar
1 teaspoon vinegar

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Place pecans in zip lock bag and let 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.

2. 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.

3. Add egg whites to the vinegar. Eggs represent life. Explain that Jesus gave His life to give us eternal life. Read John 10:10-11.

4. 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 sins. Read Luke 23:27.

5. So far the ingredients are not very appetizing. Add 1 cup 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.

6. Beat with a mixer on high speed for 12 to 15 minutes until stiff peaks form. Explain that the color white represents the purity in God's eyes for those whose sins have been forgiven by Jesus. Read Isaiah 1:18 and John 3: 1 - 3.

7. Fold in broken pecans. Drop by teaspoons onto a parchment covered cookie sheet. Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus's body was laid. Read Matthew 27:57-60.

8. 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.

9. 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.

10. 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. HE HAS RISEN!

                                                             Lamb Cupcakes

These little lamb cupcakes are fun and easy. Kids love to help mix the batter and, of course, there is always a little finger licking! I always tell them that we can lick our fingers after we fill the cupcake pans and have the cupcakes safely in the oven! Remember to remind the children to wash their hands before we begin baking!

Ingredients

1 cake mix, yellow or chocolate                                 2  cupcake pans, 12 each
2 cans of white frosting                                                24 cupcake liners
pink food coloring, jell or liquid
1 bag miniature marshmallows
brown and red M& Ms
baking spray

Directions

1. Follow directions on the cake mix box. Prepare batter as directed
2. Spray cupcake pans lightly.
3. Place cupcake liners in pans.
4. Fill each liner 3/4 full with batter.
5. Bake at temperature as directed on box.
6. Remove from oven and let cool.
7. When cooled. Frost the entire top of cupcake with white frosting.
8. Using picture above add marshmallows around the top edge of the cupcake. Then add more inside the circle, saving room for the candy eyes, pink face and nose and tiny smiling lip.
8. Color about 1 cup of frosting pink. Add a small dollop of pink frosting to each cupcake. Swirl it around to make a neat circle for the face. Add the candy eyes, nose and with a small plastic knife carve in a smile. There is your little Easter edible lamb! Makes 24 cupcake lambs.