Happy Easter! (Almost). Thanks to Iris of Ribiselchen for inviting me to be a part of an Easter sweets collaboration! She’s invited other bloggers and myself to share a sweet creation centered on the meaning of Easter. You can find the other treats on the Died. Buried. Risen. Facebook page here and see a beautiful write up of Iris’ cake creation here.
Easter, when the risen Christ is celebrated, points towards a message of hope and love, salvation and truth, for me, and for all of mankind. Easter hasn’t always been meaningful to me, as I only became a believer in Jesus of Nazareth in my thirties, but when I finally realized that if it were true that Jesus is who he claimed to be, it would be the most important thing I could ever consider. It was a journey of a few years, but reading material such as Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis, The Case for Christ by Lee Strobel and many other books, as well as watching YouTube videos by brilliant theologians such as John Lennox, William Lane Craig etc., helped change my beliefs and lead me to Christ. I will share a list of some of my favorite authors/speakers below in case you’re interested.
For these cookies, John 3:16 was the verse from the Bible that I wanted to draw attention to; 16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”
If you are seeking, my desire is to encourage you to delve into the hard questions through research with an open mind and heart.
If you’ve never really heard about Jesus of Nazareth, you might want to check out this summary by Billy Graham and any of the following authors/speakers, who provide an intelligent, articulate Christian perspective on the issues concerning the truth of the Christian faith:
- William Lane Craig
- John Lennox
- C.S. Lewis
- Greg Koukl
- Tim Barnett
- Nabeel Qureshi
- Timothy Keller
- Lee Strobel
- Sean McDowell
- Josh McDowell
- Billy Graham
- Del Tackett
- Frank Turek
- J. Warner Wallace
- Gary Habermas
- Mary Jo Sharp
- Andy Bannister
- Francis Chan
- Charles Stanley
- Eric Metaxas
Now a few notes about these cookies…
Special thanks to Honey & Lou Baking Co. for the beautiful inspiration for the embroidery and leaf cookies and to Jessica of Cutsey Crafts for the pretty embroidery design!
If you’d like to know what recipes and tools I used for these cookies, all the information is shared below.
Sugar Cookie Recipe
The sugar cookie recipe can be found here.
Royal Icing Recipe
The royal icing recipe can be found here.
Decorating Items
Any links to Amazon in this post are affiliate links. There is no extra cost to you.
What you’ll need:
- Piping Tips – PME #1.5, PME #2 and PME #3
- Piping Bags
- Couplers
- Gel paste colors
- Scribe Tool or Toothpicks
- Gold Luster Dust
- White Sanding Sugar
- Woodgrain Stencil
- Craft Stippling Brush
- Brown Luster Dust
Cookie Decorating Basics
This video on outlining and flooding is a good place to start if you’re new to decorating cookies with royal icing. These cookie decorating basics YouTube videos may also be helpful to get you started.
Royal Icing Consistency
The consistency of icing is key for easy decorating. Click here to see a YouTube video on finding the right icing thickness for basic flooding and decorating.
If you’re fairly new at decorating cookies, you may find these Royal Icing Tips here, helpful.
Please feel free to comment below if you have any questions. I also have a FAQ section here and a glossary of terms here.
Happy decorating!
xo,
Marian
niner @ninerbakes.com says
Hallelujah, praise the Lord!!
I love love love these! They should be given out in every church this Easter, Marian 🙂
Such beautiful creations with not just a message, but THE most important message of all. May God be glorified with this post.
So glad to be on this journey with you, for so many years now. Christ has been good to us!
Blessed Easter to you, sweet friend 🙂
Love, niner
Marian says
Thank you my sweet, sweet friend and sister in Christ! xo
Jeannine says
I am in my 50s and have struggled and continue to struggle with believing for many years…. I am frustrated that what seems to come so easily and naturally to so many, christianity, eludes me. I have come to the conclusion that some people (me) aren’t intended to join the family of believers.
Marian says
Hi Jeannine,
I understand! It took me almost two years of delving into the material of apologists (defenders of Christian faith… like people listed above), and really digging into the information. And then finally, when my mind realized this is really true, I still couldn’t make the connection on an emotional level. Sounds cheesy, but one night in real frustration and tears, I prayed to God to help me make the mind/heart connection. Nothing happened then… I went to bed and in the morning when I woke up and my feet hit the floor, I realized I BELIEVED! The connection was made! Doesn’t mean it’s perfect, the relationship has taken time to develop. When a doubt surfaces, I delve into the question/doubt in research, and then remind myself of all that I’ve learned about apologetics. It really does help me. Gosh there is so much more to say!
If you are around Christians that seem like they never have difficulties, maybe try hanging out with others as well. There are Christians who encounter difficulties, but being in a community where one can talk about it is wonderful, and there ARE answers. Maybe we won’t know everything this side of heaven, but there is a lot of rational, intelligent material to help.
Also, I don’t think belief is necessarily a feeling. Although I had that kind of experience that helped make the mind/emotion connection in the beginning, it doesn’t necessarily mean I always feel the same. In the end, it’s about reading His Word and trusting it… a daily thing.
And to your comment that you don’t think you are intended to join the family of believers, that is not the truth! God loves you and wants you to be with Him … John 3:16 is for EVERYONE. For God so loved the WORLD. See also Acts 10:34.
I would encourage you to plug in to a church that deals with these issues, maybe approach some pastors, and I would encourage you to check out those people in my list for your specific doubts. If you have something you’d like help finding info. on but don’t want to leave the info. here, send me an email through my contact form. (On my home page, desktop site, not through a device). You are not alone Jeannine! I would love to help you if you allow me to. xo
Julie says
These are gorgeous!!! Julie
Marian says
Thanks Julie! xo
Melinda Cassidy says
This is beautiful! I love hearing your testimony!
The cookies are also gorgeous and inspiring!
Thank you for sharing both!
To God Be the Glory, Great Things He Has Done!
Marian says
Hi Melinda,
Thank you so much and happy Easter to you!! Xo
Megan says
Gorgeous! The embroidery technique is amazing. Thank you for sharing.
Marian says
Thanks so much Megan!! 🙂
Sue Sparks says
Marian, This post, and your cookies, are beautiful! Thanks for sharing your testimony of the Savior! So grateful to know that He lives! XO!
Marian says
Thanks Sue! Happy, happy Easter to you! xoxo
Kelly says
I love the embroidery hoop! ♥️ Cutesy Crafts has so many great patterns, I have used hers several times including the one you made the cookie of which caught my eye. I love your site and will be sticking around!
Marian says
Hi Kelly,
She does have great style, I love it too! Thank you for your comment and I look forward to “seeing you” around!
lisa says
Hi Marian! I just commented yesterday on your chocolate royal icing post, but I wanted to comment again, because all these years I was not aware that you were a Christian! How wonderful! Thank you for these beautiful Easter cookies and for your testimony of God’s grace in the gospel and in your life. <3
marian says
Hi Lisa,
That was such a nice comment on the chocolate royal icing post, and this one was so nice to read as well, thank you! I appreciate you reaching out in the comments here, and obviously you are as well, wonderful! God bless you on your journey!
Rachel says
These are absolutely GORGEOUS!!!!!!! Do you have any videos on how you did the techniques with the cross (do you use airbrush with stencil?) and the very fine details? Would love to see it to learn more!! I am a learn by watching type!
marian says
Hi Rachel,
Sorry I don’t have a video, but the technique is quite simple. You could use airbrush but I used brown luster dust and a stippling brush. (Links to tools in post). Once the brown base of the icing on the cross has totally dried, place the wood grain stencil on top and stipple brown luster dust onto the dried brown icing. That’s it! Hope that helps!
Melinda says
These are beautiful cookies! I’ve followed you for years but have not heard your story. Thank you for using this space to share how you came to faith! What a testimony! May the Lord use it to help others come to know Him! God bless you!
marian says
Hi Melinda,
Sorry for the delay, somehow I was not notified of your comment in my inbox. Thank you for following me and thank you for the encouragement. All the best to you on your journey too! xo