Celebrate the true meaning of Easter by making these Homemade Resurrection Rolls from scratch! They really look like empty tombs and taste amazing!
Easter is my favorite holiday. I love everything about it. Getting dressed up, going to church, and celebrating the most significant event in human history…the death and resurrection of Jesus!
If you didn’t know, my husband is a pastor. Just over 7 years ago we moved from Chicago to Salt Lake City to plant a church. It has been a challenging yet beautiful adventure for our family. If you follow me on Instagram and watch my stories, then you know that our faith is a huge part of our lives. It informs all of our decisions…including the way we celebrate Easter {i.e. no egg-laying bunnies come to our house, LOL}!
One of the ways we celebrate 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 because I think they look SO much more like actual tombs, and they don’t have any artificial ingredients!
In this post I’m going to walk you through the process of how we make these Homemade Resurrection Rolls with our kids, and the way we use each step as a teaching moment about the true meaning of Easter!
Step 1: making the dough and prepping the ingredients.
This job currently falls mostly to mommy (minus some help kneading and mixing of course) because my kids are so little. But I bet by next year Bethany will be able to help with much more of the process!
Each ingredient in these Homemade Resurrection Rolls represents an important part of the resurrection story. The marshmallow represents Jesus’s body. We discuss how Jesus died (Matthew 27:45-57) and why (John 3:16-17).
So start by making the dough and letting it rise! Then roll it out and cut it into eight triangles.
To make ahead
The way I make this resurrection rolls recipe ahead of time is as follows:
- Make the dough.
- Place dough in a lightly greased bowl and cover with plastic wrap and a damp tea towel.
- Put dough in the refrigerator to rise overnight.
- In the morning, remove the dough from the refrigerator and roll out into 8 triangles.
- Proceed with recipe as written.
Step 2: Jesus’s Body Prepared for Burial
Next, we explain that Jesus’ body was prepared for burial according to the Jewish customs of the time. The butter and cinnamon sugar mixture represent the oils and spices used to do this. The kids dip their marshmallows in butter and then roll them in cinnamon sugar. This is probably their favorite part {besides eating them} because they get messy! 🙂 {John 19:38-42}.
Explain the significance of Jesus’ death.
Then we discuss why Jesus needed to die. 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}.
Step 3: Sealing the Tomb
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. So I let the kids have some fun rolling and then double check to be sure they’re good to go! 😉
We use this opportunity to teach them that the tomb was heavily guarded and secure {Matthew 27:62-66}. The Romans put an enormous 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 mere man to get in or out of the tomb.
Step 4: Bake the empty tomb 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!
Step 6: 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 Jesus’s body was no longer in the tomb when the women came to see him on Sunday. 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!
Celebrating the meaning of Easter
Making these Homemade Resurrection Rolls is really a fun and delicious way to celebrate the true meaning of Easter with your family! We do this little activity after we’ve already spent two weeks in homeschool learning about Easter. 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!
On Easter we hide larger versions of the items found in the resurrection eggs around the house and have the kids find them. Then we ask them to put the items in order and they take turns explaining the significance of each item to Easter!
Homemade Resurrection Rolls: Substitutions
I recommend making these resurrection rolls exactly as written, however, here are some potential 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.
- Large marshmallows. I usually use the standard sized marshmallows, but this year I tried the jumbo mallows and they worked really well (see photo below). They leave more of a gooey mess and ooze out more than just melt, but the size of the “tomb” is significantly larger.
- Butter. vegan butter can be used as a dairy-free substitution.
- Milk. coconut milk is a great dairy-free alternative that works well in this resurrection roll recipe.
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Homemade Resurrection Rolls
Ingredients
For the dough:
- ½ cup warm milk 105 degrees F
- 1 TBS granulated sugar
- 2 tsp yeast (active dry)
- 3 TBS butter melted
- 3 TBS granulated sugar
- 1 egg lightly beaten at room temperature
- ½ tsp pure vanilla extract
- ½ tsp sea salt
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- 2 cups all-purpose flour or 1 cup all-purpose flour 1 cup whole wheat pastry flour!
Other Ingredients:
- 8 large marshmallows
- 3 TBS granulated sugar
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 2 TBS butter melted
Instructions
- Add milk, 1 TBS sugar and yeast to the pan of your standing mixer fitted with the dough hook and stir to combine. Let the mixture sit for 5-10 minutes or until frothy/foamy.
- Add butter, 3 TBS sugar, egg, and vanilla and mix on low speed to combine.
- 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 plastic wrap.
- 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 14” round circle about ¼” 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 your triangles of dough.
- 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.
- Cover rolls with a tea towel and preheat your oven to 350 degrees F.
- Once oven is preheated, bake the rolls for 15-20 minutes or until the rolls are golden brown.
- Let cool on a wire rack and then peek inside!
Notes
To make ahead:
- Make the dough.
- Place dough in a lightly greased bowl and cover with plastic wrap and a damp tea towel.
- Put dough in the refrigerator to rise overnight.
- In the morning, remove the dough from the refrigerator and roll out into 8 triangles.
- Proceed with recipe as written.
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.
- Large marshmallows. I usually use the standard sized marshmallows, but this year I tried the jumbo mallows and they worked really well (see photo below). They leave more of a gooey mess and ooze out more than just melt, but the size of the "tomb" is significantly larger.
- Butter. vegan butter can be used as a dairy-free substitution.
- Milk. coconut milk is a great dairy-free alternative that works well in this resurrection roll recipe.
Nutrition
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Quandice
I plan to make these for our children’s ministry. We will make one batch with the story but I’d like to make a large batch and have them ready. Could I fully assemble them the night before and put them in the fridge overnight and bake them the next morning? Thank you so much for a homemade dough version of this.
Tara
I love that Thea updated over four years. Continuity with the past. 🙂 And, now I’ll try this with fresh marshmallows. 🙂
Amy
Hi, Do you have any ideas on how to make this gluten free? Thanks!
Noel Hurst
Could I use your Paleo homemade marshmallow recipe for this?
Laura
Yes absolutely!
Amy Lovseth
These were really tasty! I was able to make the dough in my bread machine and they turned out great. Thank you!
Lindsay
Hi! I’m going to try your recipe and I see below that it’s ok to make the rolls and refrigerate them overnight. Do I refrigerate them after they’ve risen the second time? Or do I roll them up into a ball and immediately put them in the fridge, letting them raise tomorrow? Thank you! Most recipes are for crescent roll cans so I appreciate you giving this option when going to the store on a whim isn’t an option.
Laura
Hey Lindsay! I made the dough today, put it in a greased bowl, covered it with plastic wrap and a damp towel and set it in the fridge. In the AM I will remove the dough when I wake up (long before my kids). Then they will help me make them into rolls, put the marshmallows in, etc. then I’ll bake them! If you make the rolls completely the day before and store them wrapped in the refrigerator overnight, you should take them out of the fridge to come to room temp before baking!
Alicia
My girls and I had so much fun making these and talking about the meaning. Such a special way to celebrate Jesus’ Resurrection. AND they are delicious. Much better tasting than the ones we made with crescent rolls a few years ago. Unfortunately, like above comment, my marshmallows were still there, too. I just scooped them out and showed them the empty rolls. i am not sure why because i followed your recipe exactly and used large marshmallows.
Laura
I’m so glad you enjoyed them! I have no idea why the marshmallows would still be present! Maybe the rolls were too large/thick? What kind of flour did your use? Did you let them rise a second time while the oven was preheating? I’m baking mine in the AM so I’ll see what happens!
Courtney
Can you freeze these? If I made them on Good Friday and then froze them so they don’t continue to rise. Then thaw them overnight on Saturday and bake them Sunday? I saw one recipe that did this and was wondering if you’ve ever tried it.
Laura
Hey Courtney! I have not tried to freeze them….but I imagine they would work just fine!
Solveig
Hello Laura!
Thanks for sharing! I would love to share this with families in our church (but will have to translate it into Norwegian) – is it ok I use your photos to explain what to do? 🙂
Laura
Of course!
Solveig
THANK YOU!!!
Veronika
It would be most helpful if you’d add a time estimate of how long you knead the dough in your machine for. I had it mixing for 6-10 minutes and it was still a soppy mess so I ended up adding a whole cup more of flour. It was still way too sticky to handle but I just put it in a bowl while i googled how long to knead and when to add more flour. After 10 minutes based on what I read I decided to take it out of the bowl and knead more flour into it, but when I took it out it was perfectly fine and how it seemingly should be. Anyway, it’d be most helpful so I can know what is “normal.” It’s proofing now, I will definitely let you know how it turns out!
Jessica
Can you make the dough the day before? I want to enjoy them hot on Easter morning but I don’t want to do all the prep work in the morning.
Laura
Yes!! Store it covered in the refrigerator overnight!
Claire Maudhub
Hi is this using fresh or dried yeast? I don’t want to overpower it as I’ve only got dried here
Laura
It calls for active dry yeast! I will make sure to specify in the recipe!
Karen Smart
Are there any adjustments to the recipe for high altitude!? I live in Santa Fe, NM. MoSt baking recipes call for an additional tblsp of flour
Dr Martin Huang
I called this the last supper. Your description is so interactive and creative!
Amazing photos as well!
Thanks for sharing! 🙂
Darla
Is there any way to make this low carb?
Laura
Hey Darla! Unfortunately no, this is a classic roll recipe full of flour! 🙂
Sharon
How does the white cross get on the top of the roll?
Laura
Hey Sharon! I just drizzle a simple glaze of powdered sugar and milk on top! For an easy and simple glaze use 1 TBS milk for every 1 cup powdered sugar. I also sometimes toss in about 1/2 tsp vanilla for some flavor!
Alison
Love this recipe and the story it tells! Thanks for being so open about your faith!
Thea
I just stumbled across this blog post on Pinterest. What a wonderful way to explain the Easter story to young children! I’m going to do this with my 4 and 2 year old boys.
Laura
Thank you so much Thea! You boys will think it’s so much fun! We try to be super intentional about teaching them the true meaning of Easter!
Thea
I didn’t end up making the buns last year. But we made them today! They were easy to make and the boys liked helping out and talking about Jesus’ death and resurrection. Unfortunately our marshmallows didn’t disappear. Any trouble shooting suggestions? I wonder if I didn’t roll out the dough thin enough? Or wrapped them too tight? We didn’t have a leaking problem – worked hard at that. Another blog suggested baking at a higher temperature – 375F for 12 min. I might try that.
The rolls themself tasted great and I’ll make them again for sure.
Laura
Hey Thea! OH NO! Kind of defeats the purpose of the rolls if the marshmallows stay in tact! I have no idea why that would’ve happened! Did you use regular large marshmallows and not super jumbo ones? Maybe a thinner dough…but if you made 8 rolls you should’ve been good to go! Did you let them rise?
Thea
I found the secret! Don’t think you’re clever and use your somewhat stale leftover summer marshmallows… 😬😅
A fresh bag of marshmallows did the trick. The tombs were empty this year. 😊
gretchen | kumquat
awww. i love everything about this post! i need to see if this will work gluten-free… have you tried it?
Emily
I love how you wove the bad news first and the GLORIOUS news of the gospel into your rolls recipe; that is truly an awesome awesome thing. and that is so sweet how Gabe wanted to take Bethany’s punishment; your children humble me in the way God is working in their hearts to follow Jesus. I want to be more like them when I grow up.
Laura
Thank you sweet Emily! That little “example” was totally hypothetical and didn’t actually happen in real life! LOL! I WISH my kids were that sweet to each other….sometimes they are…but they have never offered to take each other’s time outs…which actually makes the illustration more powerful! Explaining how they wouldn’t even take a time out for their sibling, but Jesus bore SO much more for us!