What to Eat Wednesday-Resurrection Cookies

Because I couldn't find the recipe quickly this year, I wanted to post it so I have it for next year. Without photos even. Maybe we will try and re-create it sometime, or just wait and take photos again next year.
These really are not hard. I think I was just trying to do too much at once, and I whipped everything all together at once. You can't do that! The pecans have to gently folded in at the end.

Resurrection Cookies
To be made the night before Easter

1 cup whole pecans
1 tsp vinegar
3 egg whites
pinch salt
1 cup sugar

*Preheat oven to 300 degrees. (Important! Do this first thing!)
Put the pecans into a ziplock bag have one of the kids beat the pecans with a rolling pin, to break them into pieces.
Explain that after Jesus was arrested, he was beaten by the Roman soldiers, and read John 19:1-3.

Have each child smell the vinegar. Put one teaspoon of vinegar into a mixing bowl.
Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross, he was given vinegar to drink, and read John 19:28-30.

Add egg whites to vinegar. Eggs represent life.
Explain that Jesus gave His life to give us life, and read John 10:10-11.

Sprinkle a little bit of salt into your kid's hand. Let them taste it and then brush the rest into the bowl.
Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus' followers, and the bitterness of our own sin. Now read Luke 23:27.

So far, the ingredients aren't very appetizing. Add the cup of sugar.
Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He loves us, and He wants us to know and belong to Him. Read Psalm 34:8 and John 3:16.

Beat all the ingredients with a mixer on high speed for about 12 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, and read Isaiah 1:18 and John 3:1-3.

Fold in gently the broken nuts. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto wax paper/foil covered cookie sheets.
Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus' body was laid. Read Matthew 27: 57-60.

Put the cookie sheet into 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 might feel kind of 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

what to eat- Valentines treats & Banana Cake Trifle

We made many valentines treats last week.

Peppermint Popcorn: popped popcorn drizzled with melted almond bark (or white chocolate) and mixed with crushed up candy canes.

It was eaten by the handful/bowlful.

Peppermint hugs: Candy Cane Hershey kiss, melted on top of pretzels (my favorite's the "grid" pretzel) topped with an m&m.

But my most favorite treat of all was thrown together last minute. I needed an after Valentines dinner dessert. I surveyed what we had on hand. Strawberries, vanilla pudding, heavy cream that could be whipped. I thought a trifle sounded great. I didn't have any cake, or brownies so I figured I would have to make some a little later.
That is until my Mom stopped by. She brought me the rest of a dessert I had left at her house.
Banana cake. It was perfect timing!
I figured I would just sub out the banana cake for the regular cake.

So glad I did!

It was the most delicious thrown together thing I have made. Several times Jay has asked me if I will be able to remember how I made it. It was perfect.

Last week I had been given many brown bananas. So many I lost count. I shared with friends and put some in the freezer. I had given a bunch to my friend Kim, and she mentioned a banana cake recipe that she had enjoyed way more than bread. I thought I would give it a try. She mailed it to me and I scrawled it out on a piece of paper really quick.

I threw it together and took it to my moms that night. We sampled it and I agreed that I liked it better than bread. I was a little disappointed the next morning when I realized I had left the cake at my mom's. I was kind of thinking it would have been great with breakfast!
Thankfully I had left it. This was such a wonderful combination.

Banana Cake, vanilla pudding, sliced strawberries, whipped cream with vanilla only, (no sugar added). Then repeat the layers.

Banana Cake

2 cups flour
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup shortening
1/3 cup buttermilk or sour milk
2 medium ripe bananas, smashed
2 eggs
1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional)

Mix everything together. Beat 3 minutes at medium speed. Pour into 9x13 pan Bake at 350 degrees for 30-35 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

What to eat -Oreo Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookies

I have no idea where I first saw this recipe. It was last week. I know that. During one of our many days home in the snowstorm. When I first saw it, I didn't think that I would try it. I mean, come on. I love cookies but I think I would just like them separate. Chocolate chip in one hand and an Oreo in the other, thank you very much. But the blog said she thought the same thing and tried it anyway. She made such a great argument and was so convincing that I bought double stuff Oreos on Saturday night when I finally ventured out of the house. I hadn't left the house since Monday night!

Sunday, Savanna offered to help make them and I could not find where I had first seen the cookies. I looked up "Oreo stuffed" and Wow! These cookies are everywhere! I picked one. Now I can't even find that blog. But I think I found the source tonight. Right here.

2 sticks softened butter

3/4 Cup packed light brown sugar

1 Cup granulated sugar

2 large eggs

1 Tablespoon pure vanilla

3 1/2 Cups all purpose flour

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon baking soda

10 oz bag chocolate chips

1 bag Oreo Cookies, I used the double stuff

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a stand or electric mixer cream butter and sugars until well combined. Add in eggs and vanilla until well combined.

2. In a separate bowl mix the flour, salt and baking soda. Slowly add to wet ingredients along with chocolate chips until just combined. Using a cookie scoop take one scoop of cookie dough and place on top of an Oreo Cookie. Take another scoop of dough and place on bottom of Oreo Cookie. Seal edges together by pressing and cupping in hand until Oreo Cookie is enclosed with dough. Place onto a parchment or silpat lined baking sheet and bake cookies 9-13 minutes or until cookies are baked to your liking. Let cool for 5 minutes before transferring to cooling rack. Serve with a tall glass of milk, enjoy!

Makes about 2 dozen VERY LARGE Cookies .

We used the least amount of cookie dough that we could and still cover up the double stuff Oreo.

A little tip. I accidentally left some sitting on a baking stone in the oven over night. They were hard as rocks. I couldn't imagine letting them go to waste. The next day we each dropped one in a shallow bowl with a little milk went after it with a fork. No wasting good chocolate!