How to Make Resurrection Rolls (Empty Tomb Rolls)
Have you heard of resurrection rolls? I only just learned about them last year, but I know that some families have been making them for years!
Resurrection rolls (also known as empty tomb rolls) are a fun way to celebrate the real reason for Easter – Jesus dying and rising from the dead, to save us from our sins. And it doesn’t hurt that they are a delicious snack, too!
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Ingredients and Supplies
- 1 package crescent roll dough
- 1 bag of large marshmallows
- ½ cup of butter, melted
- Cinnamon and sugar mixture [Âľ cup sugar + 2 tbsp cinnamon]
- Cooking spray
- Supplies: 2 small bowls and a muffin tin
- Optional: parchment paper for your workspace
Making Your Resurrection Rolls
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and gather your ingredients. You should have one small bowl with melted butter and one small bowl with your cinnamon sugar mixture.
- Separate the crescent dough into triangles on the perforated lines. Spray your muffin tin with cooking spray.
- Roll a marshmallow in melted butter and then in cinnamon sugar (this represents Jesus being prepared for burial).
- Wrap the marshmallow completely in crescent roll dough, sealing all edges tightly (this symbolizes Jesus being placed in the tomb).
- Place the rolls in your muffin tin.
- Bake according to crescent dough package directions.
- Once baked, let them cool slightly before breaking one open to reveal the “empty tomb“!
Download your printable version of this recipe today!
The Faith Connection
Resurrection rolls are a fun Easter treat, but more importantly, they are a beautiful visual representation of Jesus’s death, burial, and resurrection. As you prepare and bake these rolls with your children, you can use each step to illustrate the events of Holy Week and the miracle of the empty tomb.
When Jesus was crucified, His followers lovingly prepared His body for burial. The marshmallow in this recipe represents Jesus. Rolling it in butter and cinnamon sugar symbolizes the oils and spices used to anoint His body (John 19:40). Wrapping it inside the dough represents how Jesus was placed in the tomb, which was sealed shut (Matthew 27:59-60).
Matthew 28:6 – “He is not here; he has risen, just as he said.”
Tips for Making Resurrection Rolls with Kids
Making resurrection rolls is a sweet, meaningful hands-on activity for kids of all ages. Not only do they get to bake a delicious treat, but they also experience a powerful visual of the Easter story. Here are some tips to make the process smooth, fun, and meaningful:
1. Keep It Simple for Little Hands
- Pre-measure ingredients and set up a station with everything easily accessible.
- Use small bowls for melted butter and cinnamon sugar to minimize spills.
- Let younger kids dip the marshmallows while you handle the rolling and sealing of the dough.
2. Use a Muffin Tin for Less Mess
- Placing each roll in a muffin cup helps contain any marshmallow overflow and keeps things neat.
- It also helps prevent rolls from opening while baking, keeping the “tomb” sealed.
3. Focus on the Story While You Bake
- As you go through each step, explain its significance in the Easter story. For example:
- “The marshmallow represents Jesus.”
- “We are anointing His body with oil and spices (butter and cinnamon sugar).”
- “Now we wrap Him in the tomb (crescent roll).”
- “Let’s wait and see what happens when we open the tomb!”
- While waiting for the rolls to bake, read Matthew 28:5-6 (here’s our favorite storybook Bible) or watch a short animated video about the resurrection.
4. Seal the Dough Tightly
- Make sure all edges of the crescent roll dough are pinched shut, so the marshmallow doesn’t leak out.
- Show kids how to press the seams together to “seal the tomb.”
5. Let Kids Experience the Surprise Firsthand
- When the rolls are done, let kids gently break them open and discover the “empty tomb.”
- Ask open-ended questions like:
- “What happened to Jesus’ body in the real Easter story?”
- “How do you think Jesus’ friends felt when they saw the empty tomb?”
6. Make It Part of an Easter Tradition
- Pair this activity with these printable Easter story activities or a family Bible reading.
- Encourage kids to share what they learned with family members or friends. Let’s make little evangelists out of this yummy treat!
- Take pictures and consider creating a yearly tradition of making resurrection rolls together!
By making this a fun and engaging experience, children can better understand the miracle of Easter while creating lasting faith-filled memories. And I don’t know about you, but that’s exactly what I want for my kids!
Additional Easter Faith Activities
Teaching our children about the true meaning of Easter is SO important! Here are a few more resources to help you make Easter meaningful, fun, and educational:
- The Easter Story Bible Crafts & Activities
- The Easter Story Printable Preschool Activities
- 3D Christian Easter Craft
- “Jesus is Risen” Printable Craft
I hope your family enjoys this tasty Easter treat (and making fun, faith-filled memories) as much as ours did! If you try making these resurrection rolls, I would LOVE to hear about it! Comment below or message me on Instagram and tell me how yours turned out!
