Easter Meringue Cookies

This cookie is an Easter eve tradition in our family, thanks to our dear friend Sister Linda! I love the bible verses and Christian message (in parenthesis) for kids, and the meringues are deliciously light and fluffy.  Being the chocoholic that I am, I sometimes add mini chocolate chips and drizzle melted chocolate over the meringues.

Ingredients and supplies:
1 cup whole pecans
1 tsp. vinegar
3 egg whites
pinch of salt
1 cup sugar
zipper bag
wooden spoon
electric mixer
wax paper and cookie sheets
tape
Bible

Preheat oven to 300 degrees Fahrenheit -- this is important, don't wait to preheat.  Place pecans in a zipper bag and beat with wooden spoon to break into small pieces.  (Jesus was beaten after his arrest, Read John 19: 1-3.)

Pour vinegar into mixing bowl. (When Jesus was thirsty, he was given vinegar to drink. Read John 19:28-30.)

Add egg whites to vinegar. (Eggs represent life, which Jesus gave us. Read John 10:10-11.)

Add pinch of salt. (Salty tears shed by Jesus' followers.  Read Luke 23:27.)

Add sugar. (Sweetest part of this story is Jesus' love for us.  Read Psalm 34:8 and John 3:16.)

Beat with mixer on high speed for 12-15 minutes until stiff peaks form.  (The color white represents purity in God's eyes.  Read Isaiah 1:18 and John 3:1-3.)

Fold in nuts.  Drop by teaspoons onto wax paper covered cookie sheets.

Place cookies sheets in over, close the door, and turn oven OFF.  Tape the oven door closed (representing the sealed tomb where Jesus was laid. Read Matthew 27:57-60 and 65-66.)

Go to Bed!  (Read John 16:20 and 22.)

On Easter morning, open the oven and enjoy the cookies!  Notice the cracked surface and the cookies are hollow (representing Jesus' empty tomb on Easter morning. Read Matthew 28:1-9.)

Happy Easter!