Homemade Resurrection Rolls (Empty Tomb Rolls)

Posted Mar 27, 2017, Updated Jul 07, 2024

5 from 11 votes

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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.

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.

How to Make Resurrection Rolls yeast before proofing

How to Make Resurrection Rolls yeast proofed in a glass mixing bowl

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

How to Make Resurrection Rolls wet ingredients in a mixing bowl before mixing

How to Make Resurrection Rolls wet ingredients in a mixing bowl after mixing

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

How to Make Resurrection Rolls dry ingredients added to the wet mixture before kneading

How to Make Resurrection Rolls dough after mixing with the dough hook

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.

homemade resurrection roll dough in a bowl before rising

homemade resurrection roll dough in a bowl after rising

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:

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.

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 Jesus’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.

If you make and love our recipes, it would mean so much to me if you would leave a comment and rating! And don’t forget to follow along with us on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, and Youtube – be sure to tag @joyfoodsunshine and use the hashtag #joyfoodsunshine so we can see your creations!

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!

Homemade Resurrection Rolls (Empty Tomb Rolls)

Homemade Resurrection Rolls: Substitutions