Posted Mar 27, 2017, Updated Jul 07, 2024 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!
Homemade Resurrection Rolls: 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. 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. 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.
To Prepare in Advance
The way I make this resurrection rolls recipe ahead of time is as follows:
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). 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).
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.
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.
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!
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. 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!
