Easter Resurrection Rolls Recipe (Disappearing Marshmallow Rolls)

One of my favorite recipes to make each Easter is Easter Resurrection Rolls. Making these Easter rolls is one of my favorite traditions with the kids. Not only is it fun, but it also gets the kids in the kitchen, and the food is tasty, too. 

Easter Resurrection Rolls Recipe

This recipe has many names, and what you refer to them as depends on where you live. Easter Resurrection Rolls are also called empty tomb rolls, resurrection buns, Easter Story rolls, disappearing marshmallow rolls, Jesus Rolls, Hollow tomb rolls, and He is Risen Rolls. 

Making Easter Resurrection Rolls is among my favorite Easter traditions with my kids. When they were younger, I included the story, the meaning of the rolls, and what they represent. Now that they are older, the kids all know it, so we enjoy making and eating them. 

This resurrection roll recipe is perfect for Easter morning breakfast, dinner, or dessert, all while teaching the kids the Easter Story! With only four ingredients, these are the easiest Easter Rolls ever! 

Resurrection Rolls, also known as Empty Tomb Rolls, are a symbolic and interactive way to teach the story of Jesus’s resurrection, especially to children. They are typically made by wrapping a marshmallow (representing Jesus) in dough (representing the tomb), then baking it. During baking, the marshmallow melts, leaving an empty space inside—symbolizing the empty tomb after Jesus rose from the dead.

Easter Recipes

• Bunny Ear Cupcakes
• Easter Bunny Nest cupcakes
• Goldfish Carrots Easter Kids Treat
• Easter Bunny Cake
• Marshmallow Eggs

Symbolism of Resurrection Rolls

Each ingredient represents a part of the Easter story:

• Marshmallow → Represents Jesus’ body.
• Butter & Cinnamon → Represents the oils and spices used to anoint Jesus’ body.
• Dough (crescent roll dough or biscuit dough) → Represents the tomb where Jesus was buried.
• Baking Process → Represents the time Jesus spent in the tomb.
• Empty Roll After Baking → Represents the empty tomb, signifying Jesus’ resurrection.

Why Are They Made?

Resurrection Rolls are a fun, hands-on way to teach the biblical story of Easter. As children (or adults) prepare and bake them, it provides an opportunity to talk about Jesus’ crucifixion, burial, and resurrection, reinforcing the meaning of Easter in a tangible way.

Making these resurrection buns at Easter time is a great tradition to start with the kids. We have been doing it for years, and it is always a great time. The kids continue to learn the Easter story of Jesus while having fun in the kitchen. Sometimes we enjoy them before Easter, sometimes for Easter breakfast, and sometimes with our Easter dinner. It all depends on our time and what other Easter fun we are doing, but regardless of when we make them, it is always fun, and we get a tasty treat!

How to Tell the Easter Story with Resurrection Rolls

Resurrection Rolls are a hands-on way to teach children (or anyone) about Jesus’ resurrection in a simple and memorable way. As you make them, you can explain the Easter story step by step, using each ingredient to symbolize parts of Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection.

Step 1: Jesus’  Life

The Marshmallow represents Jesus. “Jesus was perfect and without sin, just like this pure white marshmallow.” (Reference: 2 Corinthians 5:21 – “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us.”)

Step 2: Jesus’ Death on the Cross

Roll the marshmallow in melted butter, place on the rolled out biscuit dough and sprinkle with the cinnamon. “After Jesus died on the cross, His friends prepared His body with oils and spices for burial.” (Reference: John 19:40 – “Taking Jesus’ body, the two of them wrapped it, with the spices, in strips of linen.”)

Step 3: Jesus’ Burial

Wrap the coated marshmallow in the biscuit dough, sealing all edges completely. “They placed Jesus in a tomb and rolled a large stone in front of it to close it.” (Reference: Matthew 27:59-60 – “Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and placed it in his own new tomb.”)

Step 4: Waiting in the Tomb

Place the rolls on a baking sheet and into the oven and bake. “For three days, Jesus was in the tomb, and His followers waited.” (Reference: Matthew 12:40 – “For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.”)

Step 5: The Empty Tomb – Jesus Has Risen!

After baking, allow the rolls to cool slightly. Then, have everyone open their roll. The marshmallow has disappeared, leaving an empty space inside which represents the resurrection of Jesus.“The tomb was empty! Jesus is alive!” (Reference: Matthew 28:6 – “He is not here; He has risen, just as He said!”)

If you are wanting to get the kids thinking then add in questions to get them thinking about the Bible story of Jesus in the tomb including, What does the empty tomb mean for us today?, Why is Jesus’ resurrection important? and How can we share this good news with others?.

Tips & Variations for Making This Recipe

This Easter rolls recipe is super easy to make and great to make with the kids, but there are some tips that will make it even easier.

• Pinch all the dough edges tightly to prevent the marshmallow from leaking out while baking and placing them seam-side down on the baking sheet helps prevent them from opening while baking.
• Use a Cinnamon Sugar mixture instead of just cinnamon. I find that they are sweet enough with the melted marshmallow and the cinnamon but you can make them sweeter by mixing the cinnamon with sugar (2 tablespoons sugar + 2 tablespoons cinnamon) for a sweeter flavor.
• Line your baking sheet with parchment paper or spray it with non-stick spray to avoid any marshmallow leakage sticking to the pan.
• Let them cool a bit. The melted marshmallow will be hot! Let them cool for at least 5 minutes before opening. Use a sharp knife to cut them open for a clean reveal of the empty tomb.
• Use refrigerated biscuits or crescent rolls. I prefer to use refrigerated biscuits but you can also use crescent rolls.

How to Store Leftovers

Allow the rolls to fully cool and then store them in an airtight container or a zip-close bag. They will keep fresh at room temperature for 1-2 days and in the fridge for up to 3 days. 

Easter Resurrection Rolls Ingredients

• 8 ounces mini marshmallows or 8 large marshmallows
• 8 refrigerated biscuits or crescent rolls
• 2 tablespoons cinnamon
• 1/4 cup butter

How to Make Easter Resurrection Rolls

Preheat the oven to 350.

Place the butter in a bowl and microwave for 30-45 seconds until melted.

Lay the biscuits on the counter or a baking sheet and, using a rolling pin, roll them flat. 

Add the marshmallows to the melted butter bowl and toss them in the butter so they are fully coated in the melted butter.

Place 5-6 mini marshmallows (or if using giant marshmallows, use one marshmallow in each) on top of the flattened biscuit.

Sprinkle each biscuit with cinnamon.

Roll each biscuit up to enclose the marshmallow. 

Place each biscuit into a baking pan or onto a baking sheet with the seam side down.

Bake in the oven for 10 minutes (till golden brown on top).

Let the ressurection rolls cool for a few minutes and cut them open, and you will see that the melted marshmallow is no longer seen.

Looking for more Easter fun? Check these out!

• Umbrella Easter basket
• Easter Egg Garland
• Tattoo Easter Eggs
• Shaving Cream Easter Egg Dying
• DIY Easter Wreath
• Bunny Cinnamon Rolls
• M&M Rice Krispie Treats
• Easy Fruit Salad

12 Weight Watchers SmartPoints per biscuit on the Freestyle program.