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Resurrection rolls are a yummy and special Easter tradition. They are simple and help teach a sweet lesson about the holiday!
He is Not Here: For He is Risen
For me, and any Christian, that phrase sends pleasant chills down my spine!
It’s important to us that our children know the story of Jesus the real REASON we celebrate Christmas and Easter. We take time to talk about Jesus’s sacrifice, Easter morning, and the fact that He was resurrected (these sweet rolls are a favorite object lesson, a fun Easter treat, and a wonderful way that we’ve used for years to teach the resurrection of Jesus’ body).
Making these Resurrection rolls recipe (Also known as Sweet Empty Tomb Rolls) together with our young kids at Easter time is a delicious way to remember the resurrection of Christ. Focus on the following as you make these together:
- Rolling the marshmallow in the cinnamon and sugar is like when Christ’s friends prepared Jesus’s body for burial with fragrant spices.
- Wrapping the dough around the marshmallow is like wrapping Christ’s body in linens.
- Since Jesus was inside the tomb for 3 days we sit in front of the oven and watch them bake. Meanwhile the marshmallow melts inside the baked roll. We talk about how His friends and family must have felt and share our feelings.
- As the rolls are cooling, we read the account given in Matthew 28:1-6 or in John chapter 20.
- Then we eat and the disappearing melted marshmallow in the center is empty just like the tomb was on the third day.
These homemade Resurrection Rolls are a meaningful experience with a great message of the Easter story and one the kids will always remember. Plus, the rolls are very simple, delicious and loved by all.
For more Easter recipes traditions try Rice Krispies Easter Nests and Easter Dirt Cake.
Ingredients
PREP: 10 minutes BAKE: 15 minutes
- 1 (10-ounce) can refrigerated crescent dinner rolls – The concept of the melting marshmallow will work no matter what dough you use. I like the ease of using the canned crescent roll dough, but thawed Rhodes freezer rolls or your favorite recipe for Homemade Dinner Rolls will also work. Adjust the bake time according to the different dough recipes.
- 8 large marshmallows
- ¼ cup butter, melted
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon – or add nutmeg
- ¼ cup sugar
How to make Resurrection Rolls
- PREP. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with a parchment or silicone liner. Open the 10-ounce crescent roll package and separate the rolls into eight triangles.
- COAT. In a small bowl, whisk 2 teaspoons cinnamon and ¼ cup sugar. Dip each of the 8 jumbo marshmallows in ¼ cup melted butter, then roll in the cinnamon sugar mixture.
- FILL. Place a marshmallow in the middle of each dough triangle, then roll the dough tightly around the marshmallow, pinching to close all of the seams.
- Be very careful to seal the edges of the rolls, as the marshmallows will ooze out while they bake.
- BAKE. Place rolls on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 10-14 minutes or until golden brown.
- PRO TIP. It’s important to pull them off the baking sheet quickly after baking and use a non-stick liner or parchment paper because the melted marshmallows caramelize and harden when they cool to room temperature and then it gets harder to remove the rolls from the pan.
Make them in a Muffin Liner
After you have wrapped the Jumbo marshmallows, dip the dough into the melted butter and place seam-side down into the muffin tin. Bake at 350°F for 8-10 minutes, until puffed and golden. The original recipe called for 12 minutes in the oven, but ours were ready at 8.
To add a glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- a few tablespoons of milk or heavy cream
- almond extract (optional)
- COMBINE. Mix powdered sugar with drops of milk or whipping cream. Add liquid until the desired consistency is reached.
- GLAZE. Almond extract is optional. Add a few drops and mix until smooth and creamy. Top the warm Easter Rolls with glaze and serve.
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Resurrection Rolls
Ingredients
- 1 (10-ounce) can refrigerated crescent dinner rolls
- 8 large marshmallows
- ¼ cup butter, melted
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- ¼ cup sugar
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with a parchment or silicone liner. Open the crescent roll package and separate the rolls into eight triangles.
- In a small bowl, whisk the cinnamon and sugar. Dip each of the marshmallows in the melted butter, then roll in the cinnamon sugar mixture.
- Place a marshmallow in the middle of each dough triangle, then roll the dough tightly around the marshmallow, pinching to close all of the seams.
- Place the rolls on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 10-14 minutes or until golden brown.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Recipe FAQ
Put together a little basket of ingredients along with instructions to give to friends with children so they can make these symbolic empty tomb rolls at home. Include a tube of dough, a baggie of marshmallows, and a packet of the cinnamon mixture as well as the recipe instructions and Bible verses.
Once baked, the resurrection rolls will last for 1-2 days when placed in an airtight container.
These are so delicious!!! Thank you for this recipe!
You are so welcome!! Happy to share!
Don’t let the marshmallow leak out and “burn Jesus up in the oven” like I did when my granddau%her was 4yrs old. She is 17 now but still refers to these rolls as the “burned Jesus rolls”.
I’m adding to our list! So easy and turned out delicious! Thank you for helping me teach the kid with this! Such a brilliant idea!