Nothing brings us together and puts joy in our gatherings like food. In many cultures, food for Christian holy days is also symbolic.

Jesus referred to himself as the bread of life, and he is referred to as the Lamb of God. There are many delicious ways to incorporate these symbols into your Easter celebration. 

1. Resurrection Rolls

This sweet roll is ideal for little hands to help prepare on the Saturday night before Easter. You can use refrigerated dough, which reduces preparation time, making it easy for kids to assemble.

As your child helps with the rolls, you can talk to them about ancient burial rituals.

Roll each marshmallow in butter and cinnamon sugar, then place the marshmallow in the dough. The roll represents the tomb of Jesus.

On Easter morning, bake the rolls, and the marshmallow will melt. The tomb is empty!

http://allrecipes.com/recipe/84289/resurrection-rolls/

2. Greek Easter Bread

One of the greatest celebrations in Greece is Easter. The resurrection celebration begins Saturday with the preparation of the Easter Feast. At midnight, people gather in church to light white candles, symbolizing the holiness we are imparted through Christ.

Later, fireworks erupt as people rejoice in the risen Savior. Alithos Anesti!

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchen/greek-easter-bread-recipe

3. Casatiello

In southern Italy, casatiello is served on the Saturday before Resurrection Sunday. Il casatiello is a savory bread made with parmesan, pecorino, boiled eggs, bacon and salami.

Raw eggs (in their shell) are placed in the dough and then baked in a bundt-style pan. The eggs symbolize the new life in Christ, while two strips of dough on the top represent the cross.

http://www.abreadaday.com/casatiello/

4. Mazanec

Mazanec is a traditional Czech bread served at Easter. It is a sweet bread that is very easy to prepare, so your children can help in the preparation.

Ingredients

• 1 1/4 cup milk
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 3 tsp yeast
• 4 cups all purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp salt
• lemon (for zest)
• 2 egg yolks
• 1 stick of butter (1/2 cup)
• 1/3 cup raisins
• Candied orange peel
• 1 egg for brushing
• 1/4 cup slivered almonds

Warm the milk for one minute in the microwave, then add the sugar and yeast. Let sit for about 10 minutes, while soaking your raisins in rum.

Mix dry ingredients, lemon zest, two egg yolks and the melted butter. Add the yeast mix, raisins and candied peel and mix. 


Knead the dough into ball and place in a flour-lined bowl. Cover and let rise for two hours.

Put flour on a flat surface and make two smaller balls of dough. Let rise for one more hour under a towel.

Cut a cross into the top, brush with eggs and sprinkle with slivered almonds. Cover with an aluminum foil tent. 


Bake at 350°F for 45-50 minutes, then remove the foil and let bake for five more minutes.

Let the bread cool completely, then sprinkle with powdered sugar.

5. Easter Lamb

Jesus is also referred to the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world (John 1:29). A roast lamb dinner symbolizes the Passover meal, when the children of Israel were spared because of a sacrificial lamb (Exodus 11:1-13:6).

For our Easter celebration, we use this simple marinade on lamb roasts, chops, and leg of lamb.

Roast Lamb

• 1/2 cup lemon juice
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1 tablespoon oregano
• 1 teaspoon sea salt

Marinate the lamb overnight. Bake at 450°F for 20 minutes, then reduce to 400°F and roast for approximately one hour, or until the internal temperature is at least 145°F. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving.

Comment below and share your favorite recipes for Easter.