Around My Family Table

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Empty Tomb Rolls

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These delicious rolls are the perfect object lesson for kids on Easter morning that teaches the reason for celebrating Easter. My Empty Tomb Rolls are a tradition in our family and have really become a family favorite. Plus I have a secret tip to help keep the rolls together while baking.

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These delicious rolls are the perfect object lesson for kids on Easter morning that teaches the reason for celebrating Easter.  My Empty Tomb Rolls are a tradition in our family and have really become a family favorite. Plus I have a secret tip to help keep the rolls together while baking. #easter #emptytombrolls #resurrectionrolls

Resurrection Rolls

Whether you call them Empty Tomb Rolls, Resurrection Rolls, Resurrection Buns, or Resurrection Biscuits…they are a fantastic way to explain the Easter story to young kids.

I’m always searching for creative ways to teach my children Bible stories. My kids learn better with hands-on activities while we are talking and then being able to visualize what we are talking about. Every Easter we always make Resurrection Cookies on the night before Easter Sunday and these homemade resurrection rolls on Easter morning. I first heard about Empty Tomb Rolls several years ago and I know they are all over the web now, but I’ve got one trick up my sleeve that makes them pretty much foolproof.

From my research years ago, most people complained that the resurrection buns opened during cooking allowing the marshmallow and all the goodness to flow right on pan leaving behind a sad and pathetic roll…that doesn’t help when trying to bring home the point of the story.

These delicious rolls are the perfect object lesson for kids on Easter morning that teaches the reason for celebrating Easter.  My Empty Tomb Rolls are a tradition in our family and have really become a family favorite. Plus I have a secret tip to help keep the rolls together while baking. #easter #emptytombrolls #resurrectionrolls

Resurrection Rolls Lesson

To teach the story of Easter with this Resurrection Bread Story, read the story from the Bible found in Matthew 27-28, Mark 15-16, Luke 23-24 (my favorite version), and/or John 19-20. (If you are not familiar with the Bible the same story is recounted by these four men…the story is virtually the same but is found in these four places in the Bible.)  I’ve included a little legend for how to relate the story to the Empty Tomb Rolls, just in case you couldn’t figure it out.

Jesus —marshmallow
After Jesus died on the cross he was wrapped in linen— roll in butter and cinnamon
Jesus put into tomb — crescent roll dough
3rd day Jesus has risen & no longer in tomb — open cooked roll to find NO marshmallow

Looking for  Gluten Free Empty Tomb Rolls…..you’ll find them HERE! 

Watch how easy these Empty Tomb Rolls are to make!


Empty Tomb Rolls

Empty Tomb Rolls

Yield: 8 rolls
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 14 minutes
Total Time: 29 minutes
Teaching kids about the true meaning of Easter with Empty Tomb Rolls is easy and makes a lasting impact...and they taste good too!

Ingredients

  • 1 (10 ounce) package jumbo refrigerated crescent rolls
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
  • 8 large marshmallows
  • 1/4 cup butter, melted

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Prepare muffin pan (preferably jumbo muffin pan) with non-stick cooking spray.
  2. Separate rolls into eight triangles and set aside. Combine sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl.
  3. Dip each marshmallow into butter, then roll in cinnamon-sugar and place on a triangle dough. Pinch dough around marshmallow, sealing all edges. Make sure to seal well or all the marshmallow will escape.
  4. Dip tops of dough into the remaining butter and then into the cinnamon-sugar. Place roll with the sugar side up into prepared muffin cups.
  5. Bake at 375 degrees for 13 - 15 minutes. Eat warm.
  6. OPTIONAL: Read the Easter story from the Bible found in Matthew 27-28, Mark 15-16, Luke 23-24, and/or John 19-20. If you are not familiar with the Bible the story is recounted by these four men...the story is virtually the same but is found in these four places in the Bible.
  7. Jesus —marshmallow
  8. After Jesus died on the cross he was wrapped in linen— roll in butter and cinnamon
  9. Jesus put into tomb — crescent roll dough
  10. 3rd day Jesus has risen and no longer in tomb — open cooked roll to find no marshmallow
  11. © Around My Family Table
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 8 Serving Size: 1 roll
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 419 Total Fat: 19.5g Saturated Fat: 5g Cholesterol: 15.5mg Sodium: 48.2mg Fiber: 1g Sugar: 13g Protein: 2.3g
© Wendy O'Neal
Cuisine: American / Category: breads

 

These delicious rolls are the perfect object lesson for kids on Easter morning that teaches the reason for celebrating Easter.  My Empty Tomb Rolls are a tradition in our family and have really become a family favorite. Plus I have a secret tip to help keep the rolls together while baking. #easter #emptytombrolls #resurrectionrollsEmpty Tomb Rolls...teaching kids the true meaning of Easter

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Comments

  1. Kristin says

    April 18, 2019 at 5:25 am

    I wish I knew about these when my kids were little! What a great way to spend time with the kids in the kitchen and also share the faith. Thanks for the great post and recipe!
    Reply

  6. Linda says

    April 3, 2019 at 8:22 pm

    What a fun lesson for the little ones to learn about the resurrection. I'm sure both the kids and adults will enjoy these rolls, too!
    Reply

  12. Joanie says

    April 3, 2018 at 1:15 pm

    I love these so much! I used to make these when my children were small and I'm so happy to have found your recipe. Such a great recipe to make with little ones.
    Reply

  15. Mary says

    March 27, 2016 at 8:00 am

    I found this on Pinterest and made it this morning. Delicious and easy! Thanks so much. My kids are tween/teens, but we still talked about the symbolism involved before putting it in the oven. I'm so glad you shared this idea.
    Reply

  16. Penelope says

    March 26, 2016 at 4:38 pm

    I made these this year; thank you for sharing! This was too easy, and I might have to make them more than just around Easter! My only complaint is that I couldn't control myself and ate an entire batch all by myself in one afternoon! O.O
    Reply

  17. Teresa Untershine says

    March 19, 2016 at 2:07 pm

    You ! Are an answer to my prayers!! I, for the first time ever , am a Sunday school Teacher!! We take turns as teachers , and bring all the children together for the bible story , and then go back to small groups, in different age groups. This Sunday is MY time! On EASTER!! I can use these rolls, the scriptures you gave and the bible story, along with your story behind these rolls , to explain the Crucifixion and Resurrection to children ,from 2 years old ,all the way to 13 years old! I am still a little nervous.....but, now I have a wonderful way to teach....... to me!........... The most important day of the year!!! THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!
    Reply

    • Wendy O'Neal says

      March 21, 2016 at 10:49 am

      It IS the most important day of the year! I'm so excited that you will be using these rolls as a lesson for your Sunday School class. It really is helpful for the kids to have a visual they can relate to in order to understand what Jesus did for us. Please tag me in any photos you share...I'd love to see how they turn out. w-
      Reply

  18. Lauren @ Rustic Honey says

    April 2, 2015 at 8:35 am

    These rolls are just too neat! I have never heard of them before but found them on Pinterest! Sound easy, delicious and I love that they are inspired by scripture. My nieces and nephews would love to do this! Great post and thanks for sharing!
    Reply

  19. Joanna says

    March 19, 2014 at 10:08 am

    We've always enjoyed making these, but we're gluten free now. Any ideas how to do the empty tomb "gluten free?"
    Reply

    • Marielle says

      April 8, 2014 at 5:07 pm

      You can use the gluten free flour mix from jules gluten free (they also have a recipe to make your own) and use in any crescent recipe subbing this where all purpose flour is called for, or google many of the wonderful gluten free recipes.One of my mom's favourite gluten free recipe sites is baking beauties.
      Reply

  20. Elena says

    March 5, 2014 at 7:38 am

    Thank you for sharing! Definitely I'll try them! Have never heard about them, but I like that narration and a game are combined) Thank you!
    Reply

  21. Jennifer says

    March 1, 2014 at 7:01 pm

    these are absolutely wonderful at Easter, either hot or cold, and are always a HUGE hit.....a little something you could add to your narrative is that the marshmallow represents Jesus, the butter and cinnamon represent the annointing oils that were rubbed on him after He was taken down from the Cross, the crescent dough represents the linens He was wrapped in, and the oven represents the tomb.....
    Reply

    • Rebecca says

      May 27, 2019 at 12:03 pm

      I really like your version of the symbolism. Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus took Jesus' body and prepared it for burial using an embalming ointment of myrrh and aloe (cinnamon and butter) and wrapped it in linen (dough), and placed it in the tomb (oven) Jn.19:38‑42 The women wanted to add additional spices on the 3rd day, but his body had already risen (Lk 24:1-3)
      Reply

  22. Hunter says

    February 27, 2014 at 2:02 pm

    I'm sorry but reading this out of context... "After Jesus died on the cross he was wrapped in linen — roll in butter and cinnamon" ..is hilarious.
    Reply

  24. Delaney says

    October 27, 2013 at 10:01 am

    These are so adorable!! Very creative :) They tasted like little monkey bread, but so much easier! Thanks for sharing :)
    Reply

  25. Karthik says

    April 5, 2013 at 12:53 pm

    Hey I tried this for the Easter and found it was very easy to do .I even went the extra by spicing it up with peanut butter which the kids loved . Thanks so much for these simple yet wonderful ideas.
    Reply

  26. The Mommy School says

    April 4, 2013 at 8:51 pm

    We used your recipe this past week for Easter. Not only were they easy but they tasted great and my boys really took away something special. I'll be linking my blog post to your site. Thanks so much!
    Reply

  28. Jenny says

    March 27, 2013 at 8:12 am

    Love this- you could even add that just like the linens (cinnamon) bound Jesus, the guards (cinnamon again) bound the tomb! Might have to make these! Thanks
    Reply

  29. Debbie says

    March 25, 2013 at 2:23 pm

    I've never heard of these before. I have been looking for a dessert my grandson can eat due to his allergies. This one would work, and it will tie in perfectly for our Easter dinner! Thank you so much for sharing, I will be doing this while we read the story from the Bible. I know he'll love the dessert and the meaning behind it. Debbie :)
    Reply

Trackbacks

  15. […] Along with some other Easter cooking we will be making Resurrection Rolls quickly before church, Gavin leaves early to sing for church, hopefully things can be all ready […]
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  19. […] Expectation (Around My Family Table) […]
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