Telling the Easter story while making resurrection rolls is a fun and meaningful way to share the message of Jesus' resurrection—especially with children. Each ingredient in this empty tomb rolls recipe represents a part of the story, so you can walk through it step by step, similar to making resurrection cookies!
If you want to teach your children the true meaning of Easter, make these homemade resurrection rolls with them! This easy recipe only requires a few simple ingredients and around 20 minutes to prepare. So gather the kids or grandkids and teach them the story of Easter and about Christ's resurrection!
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😍 Why You'll Love This Recipe
- This resurrection rolls recipe is easy and only requires a few simple ingredients!
- Making empty tomb rolls with crescent roll dough is much simpler than making the dough from scratch.
- I've included Bible verses to accompany each step to make the story even more meaningful!
- Resurrection rolls are a delicious Easter side dish that naturally keeps the conversation focused on the true significance of the holiday.
🔖 Ingredients & Substitutions
- Crescent Roll Dough: 1 package Pillsbury crescent rolls.
- Large Marshmallows: 8 large marshmallows (not jumbo-sized).
- Butter: Unsalted butter, melted.
- Sugar: Granulated sugar.
- Cinnamon & Cardamom: Although most resurrection rolls recipes call for cinnamon, I like to use a combination of cinnamon and cardamom. If you don't have cardamom, you can double the cinnamon or even add a pinch of nutmeg.
🍞 How to Make Easter Resurrection Rolls
Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Step 1: If making resurrection rolls with children, hand marshmallows out to each child present.
Explain that the marshmallow represents Jesus, who was pure, white, and sinless. Even so, he was crucified and died on a cross to pay for our sins.
He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in His mouth.
(1 Peter 2:22)
Step 2: Mix sugar, cinnamon, and cardamon in a small bowl. Dip marshmallows in melted butter, then roll in cardamom/cinnamon-sugar mixture.
Jesus' body was prepared with oil and spices for burial. The butter represents the oil used to anoint Jesus' body, and the cinnamon and cardamom represent the spices used to prepare his body for burial. The sugar represents Christ's sweet sacrifice.
So they took the body of Jesus and bound it in linen wrappings with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews.
(John 19:40)
Step 3: Wrap each marshmallow in a crescent roll triangle and make sure the edges are sealed (see video). Add to prepared baking sheet or a muffin tin. Brush with melted butter and sprinkle with cardamom-cinnamon sugar.
The crescent rolls represent the linen cloth that Jesus' body was wrapped in.
Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and placed it in his own new tomb that he had cut out of the rock. He rolled a big stone in front of the entrance to the tomb and went away.
(Matthew 27:59-60)
Step 4: Place the rolls seam-side down on a baking sheet or in a muffin pan and bake in the oven for 10–12 minutes. When the rolls are golden brown, remove them from the oven.
The oven represents the tomb. Jesus was in the tomb for 3 days. Talk about how sad his family and friends must have felt during those 3 days.
For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.
(Matthew 12:40)
Pro Tip: You can have the children guard the stove to make sure no one opens it while rolls are baking, just like Jesus’ tomb was guarded.
Step 5: Let the rolls cool slightly, then open one by slicing it in half to reveal the hollow center.
The roll should be empty, just like Jesus' tomb—Jesus has risen!
He is not here; for He is risen, just as He said.
(Matthew 28:6)
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The Easter Message
Jesus died for our sins, was buried, and rose again. Just like the empty roll, the tomb couldn’t hold Him. He is alive!
He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.
(Romans 4:25)
👩🏼🍳 Pro Tips
- To keep the crescent rolls from tearing, use a pizza slicer to separate the dough.
- Make sure you don't use the jumbo marshmallows; they will be too big to enclose in the dough. If that's all you can find, slice them lengthwise to make two from each one.
- If making the rolls with kids, have them help with rolling the marshmallows in the butter and cinnamon sugar. However, I would have an adult roll the dough around the marshmallows to make sure they are sealed properly.
- Keep in mind that no matter how sealed the rolls are, they will still leak the marshmallow filling, which is fine since they're supposed to be empty.
🥚 Easter Recipes
📖 Recipe
Easter Resurrection Rolls + PDF
Equipment
Ingredients
- 8 large marshmallows
- 2 tablespoon melted unsalted butter
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1½ teaspoon cinnamon powder
- 1½ teaspoon cardamom powder
- 1 Pillsbury crescent rolls
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. If making resurrection rolls with children, hand marshmallows out to each child present.
- Mix sugar, cinnamon, and cardamon in a small bowl. Dip marshmallows in melted butter, then roll in cardamom/cinnamon-sugar mixture.
- Wrap each marshmallow in a crescent roll triangle and make sure the edges are sealed (see video). Add to prepared baking sheet or a muffin tin. Brush with melted butter and sprinkle with cardamom-cinnamon sugar.
- Place the rolls seam-side down on a baking sheet or in a muffin pan and bake in the oven for 10–12 minutes. When the rolls are golden brown, remove them from the oven.
- Let the rolls cool slightly, then open one by slicing it in half to reveal the hollow center. The roll should be empty, just like Jesus' tomb—Jesus has risen!
Notes
- You can find what each ingredient represents and Bible verses to accompany each step in the post and a PDF download!
- To keep the crescent rolls from tearing, use a pizza slicer to separate the dough.
- Make sure you don't use the jumbo marshmallows; they will be too big to enclose in the dough. If that's all you can find, slice them lengthwise to make two from each one.
- If making the rolls with kids, have them help with rolling the marshmallows in the butter and cinnamon sugar. However, I would have an adult roll the dough around the marshmallows to make sure they are sealed properly.
- Keep in mind that no matter how sealed the rolls are, they will still leak the marshmallow filling, which is fine since they're supposed to be empty.
Hilda Sterner says
We hope you enjoy this recipe as much as our family does!