Homemade Resurrection Rolls (Empty Tomb Rolls)

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Celebrate Easter with these from-scratch, homemade resurrection rolls (empty tomb rolls)! They really look like empty tombs and taste amazing.

front view of homemade resurrection roll cut in half so you can see the hollow inside.

Easter is my favorite holiday. I love everything about it. Getting dressed up, going to church, and celebrating the death and resurrection of Jesus!

One of the ways we celebrate Easter is by making homemade resurrection rolls (or “empty tomb rolls)”. Sometimes I take the easy route and make this “recipe,” but when we have time I love making them from scratch.

I think they look so much more like actual tombs, and they don’t have any artificial ingredients. Plus, they taste like cinnamon rolls with marshmallows stuffed inside (yum)!

In this post I’m going to walk you through the process of how to make resurrection rolls with our kids, and the way we use each step as a teaching moment about the true meaning of Easter!

two resurrection rolls cut in half so the empty tomb inside is showing

Homemade Resurrection Rolls: Substitutions 

overhead photo of the labeled ingredients in this Homemade Resurrection Rolls recipe
  • All-purpose flour. You can substitute up to half of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour. Bread flour can also be used. 
  • Large marshmallows. Use large or jumbo marshmallows. Or, make your own homemade marshmallows. 
  • Whole Milk. 2% milk or coconut milk are good substitutes. 
front view of homemade resurrection roll cut in half so you can see the hollow inside.

How to Make Resurrection Rolls

I’ll walk you through the process of how to make resurrection rolls.

Make the Dough

Begin this recipe by making the dough – it needs to rise so it’s important to start here!

Combine the milk, sugar and yeast in the bowl of a standing mixer fitted with the dough hook and stir to combine. Let the mixture sit for 5-10 minutes or until frothy/foamy.

Then, add the melted butter, sugar, egg, and vanilla and mix on low speed to combine.

Then, add the dry ingredients and mix on medium-high speed until a slightly tacky but firm ball forms.

Remove the dough from the mixer and knead with your hands until smooth. Then, place it in a lightly greased bowl and cover with a damp tea towel.

Let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until dough has doubled in size.

Form the Resurrection Rolls

After the dough has risen, roll it out and cut it into eight triangles.  Then, combine the remaining sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl and melt the butter.

Overhead process shot of the homemade resurrection rolls dough rolled into a circle with the other ingredients and a rolling pin situated around it.

To Prepare in Advance

The way I make this resurrection rolls recipe ahead of time is as follows: 

  1. Make the dough.
  2. Place dough in a lightly greased bowl and cover with plastic wrap and a damp tea towel.
  3. Put dough in the refrigerator to rise overnight. 
  4. In the morning, remove the dough from the refrigerator and roll out into 8 triangles. 
  5. Proceed with recipe as written. 
Overhead process shot of the homemade resurrection rolls dough rolled into a circle & cut into 8 triangular pieces with the other ingredients and a rolling pin situated around it.

Dip the Marshmallow

The marshmallow represents Jesus’s body. We discuss how Jesus died (Matthew 27:45-57) and why (John 3:16-17).

Next, we explain that Jesus’ body was prepared for burial according to Jewish customs.  The butter and cinnamon sugar mixture represent the oils and spices used.  

The kids dip their marshmallows in butter and then roll them in cinnamon sugar. (John 19:38-42).

Side process shot of the homemade resurrection rolls showing a marshmallow being dipped into butter

Then we discuss why Jesus died and share the Gospel. We explain that we’re all sinners (Romans 3:23) and that the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23). In order for our sins to be forgiven a perfect sacrifice had to be made, and that was only possible in the death of Jesus. (2 Corinthians 5:21).

Side process shot of the homemade resurrection rolls showing a marshmallow that was dipped in butter and coated with cinnamon sugar on a triangular piece of dough ready to be rolled.

Seal the Rolls

Next we explain that the rolls (dough) represent the tomb. The kids put the marshmallow on the dough and then roll it up very tight. NOTE:  You want to make sure there are no cracks or holes in your rolls, otherwise the marshmallow will ooze out.

We use this opportunity to teach them that the tomb was heavily guarded and secure (Matthew 27:62-66). The Romans put a large rock in front of the entrance to the tomb and assigned armed guards to keep watch outside. We emphasize how it would be impossible for a man to get in or out of the tomb on his own.

Overhead view of 8 homemade resurrection rolls closed up on a baking sheet ready to be put in the oven.

Bake the Resurrection Rolls

We put the Homemade Resurrection Rolls in the oven and explain that Jesus was in the tomb for 3 days (Matthew 12:40). I turn on the lights in the oven and let the kids watch them bake.

While the resurrection rolls are baking we explain that God loved us so much that He sent His one and only son, Jesus, to come to earth and enter into our messy sinful lives. But He didn’t sin, He lived perfectly (John 3:16).  We tell them that Jesus trades places with us. He was innocent and didn’t deserve any punishment, but He took our punishment of death. We explain that we are guilty and should be the ones who are “in the oven,” but Jesus took our place.

It’s fun to use a real life example with the kids here. If Bethany took a toy from Naomi and was supposed to get a time out, but Gabe said he would go to time out instead of her. Gabe took Bethany’s punishment, even though he did nothing wrong…in the same way that Jesus didn’t do anything wrong but took our punishment.

Side view of baked homemade resurrection rolls on the pan with white glaze

He is Risen!

When we remove the empty tomb rolls from the oven we discuss the resurrection! (Matthew 28:1-20)! The kids open the Homemade Resurrection Rolls to see that the marshmallow is gone, just like Jesusโ€™s body was no longer in the tomb. We discuss the importance of the resurrection in our lives and that salvation comes by grace alone through faith alone (Ephesians 2:8-9).

Then we explain that this whole story is called The Gospel, or “good news” and ask them to explain to us how Jesus’s death and resurrection is good news for them!

empty tomb roll after baking cut in half so the hole where the marshmallow melted is visible

Serve

Serve with your favorite easter breakfast recipes, like a delicious quiche or fruit salad.

Store

You can store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. Reheat them before serving.

an Empty Tomb Roll cut in half so the hollow inside is showing

Empty Tomb Rolls Recipe FAQs

Do I have to make the dough from scratch?

No, you can use store-bought crescent dough instead. I buy an organic version from Trader Joes.

Can I use homemade marshmallows?

Yes, I suggest using this homemade marshmallows recipe.

What happens to the marshmallow in an empty tomb roll?

When the resurrection rolls are baked, the marshmallow melts towards the end of baking time. This results in a hole where the marshmallow was but no trace of it in the rolls.

two resurrection rolls cut in half so the empty tomb inside is showing

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Homemade Resurrection Rolls

Laura
Celebrate Easter with these from-scratch, homemade resurrection rolls (empty tomb rolls)! They really look like empty tombs and taste amazing.
5 from 11 votes
Course bread, Breakfast, Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 8 resurrection rolls
Calories 211.9
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time25 minutes
Rising time1 hour 30 minutes
Total Time2 hours 10 minutes

Ingredients 
 

For the dough:

Other Ingredients:

Instructions 

  • Add milk, 1 Tablespoon sugar and yeast to the bowl of a standing mixer fitted with the dough hook and stir to combine. Let the mixture sit for 5-10 minutes or until frothy/foamy. (Alternately, you can mix the dough by hand in a large bowl with a wooden spoon).
  • Add butter, 3 Tablespoons sugar, egg, and vanilla and mix on low speed.
  • Add salt, cinnamon and flour and mix on medium-high speed until a slightly tacky but firm ball forms.
  • Remove dough from the mixer and knead with your hands until smooth.
  • Place dough in a lightly greased bowl and cover with a damp tea towel.
  • Let rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until dough has doubled in size.
  • While dough is rising, combine sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl and stir to combine.
  • Once the dough has doubled in size, roll dough out into a 14โ€ round circle about ยผโ€ thick.
  • Cut the dough into 8 equal-sized triangles.
  • Take one marshmallow and dip it into the melted butter until all sides are completely coated.
  • Remove from the butter and place the marshmallow into the cinnamon/sugar mixture. Roll the marshmallow until completely coated in cinnamon sugar.
  • Place the coated marshmallow in the center of one of the dough triangles.
  • Fold the dough around the marshmallow and roll it in your hands until it is completely sealed. You do not want to leave any cracks at all or the marshmallow will ooze out.
  • Once completely sealed, place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
  • Repeat with the remaining 7 marshmallows and dough triangles.
  • Cover rolls with a tea towel and preheat your oven to 350 degrees F.
  • Once oven is preheated, bake the rolls for 18-20 minutes or until the rolls are golden brown.
  • Let cool on a wire rack and then peek inside!

Video

Notes

Ingredient Substitutions
  • All-purpose flour. You can substitute up to half of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour. Bread flour can also be used.ย 
  • Large marshmallows. Use large or jumbo marshmallows. Or, make your own homemade marshmallows.ย 
  • Whole Milk. 2% milk or coconut milk are good substitutes.ย 
To Make Ahead
  1. Make the dough.
  2. Place dough in a lightly greased bowl and cover with plastic wrap and a damp tea towel.
  3. Put dough in the refrigerator to rise overnight.ย 
  4. In the morning, remove the dough from the refrigerator and roll out into 8 triangles.ย 
  5. Proceed with recipe as written.

Nutrition

Serving: 1roll | Calories: 211.9kcal | Carbohydrates: 35.9g | Protein: 4.4g | Fat: 5.5g | Cholesterol: 36.1mg | Potassium: 60mg | Fiber: 2.7g | Sugar: 12.1g | Calcium: 35mg | Iron: 1.5mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Did you enjoy this recipe? Have a question? Leave a comment below!

One of my favorite tools to teach the kids are these Resurrection Eggs. For whatever reason they adore them and ask me to tell the Easter story using the eggs multiple times every day!

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5 from 11 votes (4 ratings without comment)

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47 Comments

  1. The roll was absolutely delicious, but I think my dough was too soft. I could hardly roll it out; I sprinkled it with quite a bit of flour, but it still was very soft for wrapping the marshmallow. The marshmallow melted as it baked, but there was no hollow hole left in the roll. I’m going to try to make them again adding more flour to the mixture.

  2. 5 stars
    We have made Resurrection buns before with a different recipe, and I like this one a lot better! I left the marshmallows dry for easier closing of the dough and then rolled the whole bun in the butter and cinnamon sugar. I realize that messes up the order of the story a little, but it tasted delicious!

  3. 5 stars
    Turned out really well and tasty. I had to add almost an extra cup of flour before ot became tacky but that was no issue. Word of warning, use regular marshmellos and not campfire marshmallows, used what we had on hand but the campfire ones didn’t dissolve and slept the dough, no mess though. Will make again!

  4. I may have missed it but are there directions on how to make the frosting to make the cross on top? Thanks!

  5. Have you ever done this with sourdough? I am thinking replace the milk and half a cup of flour with sourdough starter, proof 8 hours, roll and wrap, then put in fridge overnight and bake in the morning??

  6. 5 stars
    My husband and I planted a church in Idaho 44 years ago and now I’m the Children’s Director in the church my son is planting here in Idaho. I made these with my 7 children and now make them with my grandchildren and will make them in a station group during our Good Friday service. I will be praying for you, your family and your church. Praise the Lord for faithful followers.

  7. Is it ok to leave the dough at room temperature for 6 hours before baking? We made the dough and then got busy so took awhile to get back to it. Thanks.

    Love this idea and recipe! ๐Ÿ’—

    1. 5 stars
      Thank you so much for sharing a homemade recipe!! I can’t wait to start this tradition the night before Easter.