Resurrection Rolls (Cinnamon Sugar Rolls)

Resurrection Rolls are a simple and delicious Easter treat that’s perfect for sharing the story of Jesus’ death and resurrection with kids! These resurrection rolls (AKA “Empty Tomb Rolls”) are easy to make and taste insanely good. The cinnamon and sugar marshmallows melt while baking to create a gooey sweet caramel like sauce. It’s a yummy and meaningful addition to all of your Easter celebrations.

Baked resurrection roll made with crescent dough on a sheet pan.

Table of Contents

Resurrection Rolls (Empty Tomb Rolls)

I’ve been making these Resurrection Rolls with my kids since they were just wee tikes, teetering on a kitchen stool just to reach the counter top. I’m not sure how much they grasped the story as little ones, but they’ve always loved the process, partially because they ate far more marshmallows than were strictly necessary for the recipe.

Over the years, I’ve become more sensitive to the ways I talk about Jesus’ death and resurrection with my kids. We leave out the more gruesome bits until they’re a bit older, and instead focus on the care Jesus’ friends and followers gave to his body, and highlight the women who kept vigil near the tomb and were the first to see the Risen Christ.

We celebrate that Jesus’ resurrection means that suffering and death aren’t the end of the story, and that we can partner with Jesus to help usher in God’s kingdom, one that is good news for the poor, the captive, the blind, and the oppressed (Luke 4:218). If you’re looking for more age appropriate ways to share the story of Easter with your kids, the work of Meredith Ann Miller is a great resource.

Courtney

What Are Resurrection Rolls?

Resurrection Rolls are a simple, sweet Easter treat made by wrapping a large marshmallow inside crescent roll dough and baking it. As the rolls bake, the marshmallow melts away completely, leaving a hollow center, like an empty tomb. Each ingredient in the recipe carries symbolic meaning that corresponds to the Easter story. It’s a precious way to share how Jesus’ friends and followers cared for his body and took part in both the grief and joy of the Easter story. You can find the story in all four gospels, but we like to read John 19:38-42 and Matthew 27:57-28:7, which includes Mary Magdalene and the other Mary at the tomb.

Here’s what each ingredient represents:

Marshmallow = the body of Jesus
Melted butter = the burial oils used to anoint His body
Cinnamon sugar = the spices used in the burial preparation
Crescent roll dough = the linen burial cloths
The oven = the tomb
The hollow roll after baking = the empty tomb on Easter morning. Jesus isn’t there. He is risen! This is Good News!

Key Ingredients + Substitutions

Refrigerated Crescent Roll Dough– A standard 8-count tube of crescent roll dough is the base of this recipe. You can also use our homemade butterhorns or Rhodes frozen roll dough thawed and pressed flat.
Large Marshmallows– It’s important to use standard large marshmallows here. Mini marshmallows don’t create the same effect, and jumbo marshmallows are too big and tend to overflow. You’ll only need 8 mallows, so use the extras to make some Lucky Charms Krispie Treats or Fluffernutter Cookies.
Butter– Melted butter is the glue that gets the cinnamon sugar to adhere to the marshmallow. It also adds a rich, buttery flavor to the finished roll and can be brushed on top before baking for extra golden color. Coconut oil could also be used as a dairy free option.
Granulated Sugar– Forms a light caramel on the inside of the roll as the marshmallow melts . Use brown sugar for a deeper flavor.
Ground Cinnamon– This is the key for flavor and will make your house smell so good!

Step 1: Prep your work space. Preheat your oven to 375°F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Melt the butter in a small, shallow bowl. In a second shallow bowl, stir together the sugar and cinnamon until well combined. Get all of your ingredients assembled and within reach — once the kids get involved, things move fast!

Step 2: Separate the crescent roll dough. Open the tube of crescent roll dough and unroll it carefully onto a clean surface. Separate the dough along the perforations into 8 individual triangles.

Cinnamon sugar marshmallows on top of crescent roll triangles.

Step 3: Dip and coat the marshmallows. This is the favorite part for kids! Take one large marshmallow at a time and dip it first into the melted butter, turning to coat all sides. Then roll the buttery marshmallow in the cinnamon sugar mixture, pressing gently so it’s well coated on all sides. Explain to any little helpers that the butter represents the burial oils and the cinnamon sugar represents the spices used to prepare Jesus’s body. Place each marshmallow in the center of the crescent dough triangle.

Step 4: Wrap the marshmallow in crescent dough. Fold the two side corners up and over the marshmallow first, then roll the dough up from the wide end toward the narrow point, just like a traditional crescent roll. Explain that the crescent is the burial clothes. Here’s the most important step: Pinch every seam firmly closed. Go around the entire roll and press any gaps shut with your fingertips. If desired, whisk together any extra cinnamon and sugar and brush it on top of the rolls.

Step 5: Finish and bake until golden. Place the rolls in the oven and shut the oven door. Explain that the oven is the tomb, and the door is the big stone. Bake for 12 to 14 minutes, or until the tops are a deep golden brown. While they bake, you can gather the family and read the Easter story from Luke 23–24 or Matthew 28:1–6. Once the rolls are done, allow them to cool for a few minutes before opening to reveal the empty interior. Jesus is alive!

Storage and Make-Ahead Instructions

Resurrection Rolls are absolutely best enjoyed fresh and warm from the oven. The hollow center and caramelized interior are at their peak right after baking.

To store: If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. They will deflate as they sit, but they’ll still taste delicious — almost like a cinnamon pastry.
To reheat: microwave individual rolls for 10 to 15 seconds, or warm them in a 300°F oven or air fryer for 3-4 minutes until heated through.
Make ahead: Assemble the rolls the night before, place them on the parchment-lined baking sheet, and cover loosely with plastic wrap. Refrigerate overnight. The next morning, pull them out and let them sit at room temperature while the oven preheats, then bake as usual.

Hand opening up an empty tomb roll filled with cinnamon and sugar.

Recipe Tips & Variations

Seal those seams tightly. This is the single most important tip. Any gap in the dough will allow the marshmallow to escape as it melts. Work your way around each roll twice, pressing every edge firmly closed.
Use parchment paper. Even with well-sealed rolls, a little sugary filling can caramelize out onto the pan. Don’t stress! They’ll still be absolutely delicious, and the parchment paper makes cleanup effortless.
Consider using muffin liners: If you really don’t want any escaped filling, you can bake these in cupcake liners.
Seam side down. Place the rolls seam-side down on the baking sheet so gravity helps keep everything sealed while they bake.
Let them cool before opening. The inside is molten hot right out of the oven. Give them 3 to 5 minutes to cool before eating.
Double the batch. One tube of crescent rolls makes 8 rolls, which disappears fast, especially with kids in the mix. Consider doubling the recipe for larger families or gatherings.
Add a drizzle: Mix 1/2 cup powdered sugar with a splash of milk and a drop of vanilla extract for a simple glaze to drizzle over the warm rolls.

What to Serve with Easter Resurrection Rolls

Resurrection Rolls are a lovely addition to your Easter brunch or dinner table. Here are some NeighborFood favorites to round out your holiday table:

For brunch consider pairing these with our Overnight Breakfast Casserole, Crustless Quiche Lorraine, or Ham and Cheese Frittata.
For lunch or dinner, you can’t go wrong with a sticky sweet Crock Pot Ham, Puff Pastry Asparagus Tart, Jalapeno Popper Deviled Eggs, and Roasted Carrot Salad.

Pair Resurrection Rolls with a simple fresh fruit salad, a pitcher of brunch punch, and your favorite egg dish, and you’ve got a warm, meaningful Easter morning spread the whole family will remember.

Baked resurrection rolls on a parchment lined baking sheet.

FAQs

Can I make Resurrection Rolls the night before?

Yes! This is a great option for Easter morning when you want the reveal moment without any morning prep stress. Assemble the rolls the night before, place them on the parchment-lined baking sheet, and cover loosely with plastic wrap. Refrigerate overnight. The next morning, pull them out and let them sit at room temperature while the oven preheats. Bake as usual.

What does each ingredient in Resurrection Rolls represent?

The marshmallow represents Jesus’ body. Butter represents the burial oils used to anoint His body. The cinnamon sugar represents the spices and herbs used in burial preparation. The crescent roll dough wrapping represents the linen cloths He was wrapped in. The oven represents the tomb, and the hollow roll afterward represents the empty tomb on Easter morning.

Can I make Resurrection Rolls gluten free?

Yes, though the options are more limited. Look for gluten free crescent roll dough (some specialty brands make this), or use a gluten-free roll dough recipe from scratch. The rest of the ingredients—marshmallows, butter, sugar, and cinnamon—are naturally gluten free.

Can I make Resurrection Rolls with homemade dough?

Absolutely! Use our overnight butterhorn rolls recipe or your favorite bread roll dough. Roll the dough thin (about 1/4 inch) and cut into squares or triangles. Rhodes frozen dinner rolls, thawed completely and pressed flat, are a great middle ground option between canned and fully homemade.

What if my Resurrection Rolls don’t have a hollow center?

The marshmallow might not have melted completely, which can happen if the rolls were underbaked. Make sure your oven is fully preheated to 375°F and bake until the rolls are deeply golden. And if you come across a marshmallow center, it will still be delicious!

More Favorite Easter Recipes

If you love a theme, you’ve also got to try these adorable Easter Chocolate Bird Nests and these Cadbury Mini Egg Cookies.

And of course it’s not Easter without our fan favorite Carrot Sheet Cake.

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