Easter Cookies

This week my children have Spring Break. It is the perfect time to focus on the last week in our Savior's life. (I hope to share what we do on my blog.) I found this recipe when I was searching for ideas and I thought it was a great idea. Though I have never made it before I wanted to share it in time for Easter. Those with young children I thought of especially.

To be made the evening before Easter

• 1cup whole pecans
• 1tsp vinegar
• 3 egg whites
• pinch salt
• 1 cup sugar
• zipper baggie
• wooden spoon
• tape
• Bible

Preheat oven to 300 degrees (this is important, don't wait till you're half done with the recipe!)

Place pecans in zipper baggie 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.

Let each child smell the vinegar. Put 1tsp 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 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.

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.

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.

Apple Crisp

One of my friends just asked me for a good apple recipe. This is my favorite thing to make in the autumn time, so I am sharing it because Marisa said I could. ;)

Apple Crisp

4 medium cooking apples, sliced (4 cups)
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup flour
1/2 cup oats
1/3 cup butter (softened)
3/4 tsp. ground cinnamon
3/4 tsp. ground nutmeg

1. Heat oven to 375. Grease bottom and sides of a square pan, (8x8x2) with shortening.

2. Spread apples in the pan. Mix remaining ingredients and sprinkle over apples.

3. Bake about 30 minutes or until topping is golden brown and apples are tender when pierced with a fork. Serve warm with whipped cream or ice cream.

*I use about a cup of sugar and a full stick of butter, but that is why I will never be skinny. I have also been able to make this work when I only had 2 apples. (For a Sunday dessert when I couldn't go shopping.)

Pistachio Salad

Another favorite, it's found on the Jell-O brand of Instant Pistachio pudding, but I use the knock-off brand and it tastes just as good:

1 small box instant pistachio pudding
1 jar crushed pineapple
1 1/2 C cool whip (ish)
1 C mini-marshmallows
1/2 C finely chopped nuts - pistachios work well, but you can use anything

Mix pudding with crushed pineapple (don't drain the juice). Add the marshmallows and nuts and then the cool whip. Make sure it's mixed well, then cover and chill.

Easter Dinner

I don't have a picture of the roast, but it's SO easy and very yummy.

Pork or Beef Roast, almost any size will work
1 jar of sliced pepperoncinis
1 onion soup mix - Liptons works well.

Put all together in a crockpot and cook on high about 3 or 4 hours depending on roast size. It turns out best with pork.



This is Russell Stover Pie
Basically just layer a graham cracker crust (pre-cooked), chocolate pudding and coconut cream pudding. Top with whipped cream. I homemade all the puddings, but I'm sure a mix would be fine.




Potato Rolls - so good that no one can stop eating them

2 C warm water
2 Tab yeast
6 tab sugar
1/2 C oil
1 egg
1/2 C warm mashed potatoes prepared with milk and butter - instant flakes or pearls work just as well.
1 1/2 teas salt
1 teas baking powder
1/2 teas baking soda
2/3 C powdered milk
1/2 C whole wheat flour
~ 5 C white flour

Proof yeast in water and add sugar. Mix ingredients in order given. If you don't have whole wheat flour, you can use all white. Don't add too much flour, it should be pretty soft. Knead for 6 - 8 minutes and place in greased bowl. Cover and let rise until doubled, about an hour or so. Punch down and divide in half. Each half makes ~ 16 balls. Place an inch or two apart on greased or parchment lined cookie sheet. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 30 minutes. Bake at 375º for 15 - 18 minutes. In Colorado it took 12. Brush with butter if desired.



And Huckleberry salad. This stuff is amazing and Ryan says it's basically dessert. You can substitute blackberries or blueberries for huckleberries if you need to. My grandma says she's also done cherries with it and they were great.

1 1/2 C huckleberries
1/2 C water
4 teas sugar
8 oz cream cheese at room temperature
15 oz crushed pineapple
1 C huckleberries
8 oz cool whip
2 C mini marshmallows

Place 1 1/2 C huckleberries with water and sugar in bowl and microwave for about 4 minutes or until it's boiled a bit. Cool in fridge or freezer. Mix with cream cheese making sure not to get any clumps of cream cheese. A mixer works fine, but we've done it by hand. Add pineapple and 1 C huckleberries, slowly stirring them in. Gently stir in cool whip and marshmallows. Chill. It'll set up a bit after an hour or so.