Make sure to check out http://www.cuf.org/familyresources/saltdoughrecipe.asp  to read a wonderful explanation of what this means.  We will be making this on Ash Wednesday.  It has been suggested that as you put in the toothpicks, make the holes a little bigger so you can pull them out later.

Materials:
4 c. flour
1 c. salt
Water
Toothpicks

Directions:
Mix flour and salt. Mix enough water to make a stiff clay. (A little warmth helps dissolve the salt.) Knead until smooth to remove any air bubbles. Roll three long ropes and loosely braid them. Form braid into a circle and stick toothpicks loosely throughout the entire crown (If they are embedded too deeply they cannot be pulled out intact.) Bake at 350° F for an hour or until it is dry and light brown.

Resurrection Buns

Ingredients:
bread dough, for buns
1/4-1/2 cup melted butter, about
1 bag large marshmallows
1 cup sugar
2 teaspoons cinnamon

Directions:
1)Mix your cinnamon and sugar together in a bowl.
2)Take a small ball of raw bun dough (these are easily made if you
have leftover bread dough as well), and wrap it around a marshmallow,
sealing well.
3)Dip the ball into melted butter.
4)Dip the buttered ball into the cinnamon/sugar mix.
5)Place the ball onto a greased cookie pan, (use a pan with a lip,
because the marshmallow will melt out to make a nice gooey sauce, and
you wouldn’t want it all over the bottom of your oven!) Leave enough
space between balls to allow them to rise to double their size.
6)Cover loosely with plastic wrap and let rise for about 35 mins or
until doubled in size.
7)Pre-heat oven to 375.
8)Bake the Resurrection Buns in the oven for 18-20 mins or until
lightly browned.

Easter Story Cookies
To be made the evening before Easter

1 cup whole pecans (we use peanuts)
1 teaspoon vinegar
3 egg whites
pinch salt
I cup sugar
zipper baggie
wooden spoon
tape
Bible

Preheat oven to 300 degrees.

Place pecans in zipper baggie and let children beat them with wooden spoons 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 I teaspoon 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 10:10-111

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 I cup sugar. Explain that the sweetness 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 the mixer on high speed for 12-15 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 I the oven. Close the door and turn the oven OFF.

Give each child a piece of tape to 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.