“He is not here; for He is risen, as He said.” — Matthew 28:6 (NKJV)
Pull up a chair, sweet friend, because today we’re bringing something beautiful to your family traditions during Passion Week — Resurrection Rolls, also called Empty Tomb Rolls. These soft, sweet rolls aren’t just a treat—they’re a hands-on, heart-engaging way to teach your children the true meaning of Resurrection Sunday.
These rolls bake up with a surprise inside: the marshmallow “body” disappears, just like Jesus did from the tomb. As you gather in the kitchen and roll dough with little hands, you’ll be wrapping hearts in the story of the gospel.
Why We Make Resurrection Rolls
Resurrection Day morning brings with it the joy of an empty tomb and the miracle of eternal hope. Our family takes an extended period of time to focus on the impending Resurrection Day celebration every year. If you would like to join us in some of those traditions, I hope you will check out our family guide for Holy Week.
Resurrection Rolls are more than just a recipe—they're a family tradition that makes room for truth at your breakfast table each glorious Resurrection Day morning for years to come.
Each ingredient tells part of the story:
- Marshmallows represent Jesus’ body.
- Butter and spiced sugar symbolize the oils and spices used to prepare His body.
- Dough represents the tomb.
- And when you bake them? The marshmallow melts away, leaving an “empty tomb” in its place—just like the stone rolled away on that glorious morning.
“Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.’” — John 11:25 (NKJV)
Resurrection Rolls Recipe (a.k.a. Empty Tomb Rolls)
Ingredients
- 1 can crescent roll dough
- 8 large marshmallows
- 1/4 cup melted butter
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 Tablespoon cinnamon
- 1/8 teaspoon cloves
- 1/8 teaspoon allspice
- 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a small bowl, mix the sugar and spices.
- Dip a marshmallow in melted butter, then roll it in the cinnamon sugar—just like the women who prepared Jesus’ body.
- Wrap the marshmallow in crescent dough, sealing it tightly to form a “tomb.”
- If you want to, you can also sprinkle the sugar and spice mixture on top of the rolls after brushing them with butter.
- Place on the baking sheet and bake for 10–12 minutes, until golden.
- Let them cool slightly, then open your “tomb” and celebrate—He is risen!
Gathering at His Table
Making Resurrection Rolls is a beautiful way to begin Sunday morning or to prepare for Resurrection Sunday during Holy Week. As the rolls bake, gather your children and read from Matthew 28. You can even light a candle on your table as a reminder that “the Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it” (John 1:5, NKJV).
Ask your children:
- Why do you think Jesus had to die?
- What does it mean that His tomb was empty?
- How can we live differently because He is risen?
A Family Sojourning Together
When you bring the gospel into the kitchen, you’re not just baking—you’re building altars of remembrance. These rolls become more than just a snack; they become sacred.
As Thomas Guthrie once said,
“If you find yourself loving any pleasure more than your prayers... any table better than the Lord’s table... be alarmed.”
Friend, make space for the sacred in your ordinary. Let the aroma of cinnamon and the lessons of our Lord's grace fill your home this season.
