How to Bake Resurrection Rolls with Kids and Bring the Easter Story to Life with Each Ingredient

Easter is a time of celebration, reflection, and joy. One of the best ways to engage your children with the Easter story is by baking Resurrection Rolls. These delightful cinnamon-sugar rolls, filled with melting marshmallows, are not only tasty but also serve as a powerful visual representation of Jesus's resurrection. In this guide, we will explore each step of the process, explaining the significance behind each ingredient.

The Significance of Resurrection Rolls

Resurrection Rolls, also known as Empty Tomb Rolls, are more than just a yummy treat; they are a meaningful way to tell an important story. As you roll each marshmallow, you can share the story of Jesus’s burial and resurrection. It illustrates how He was laid in the tomb and how He rose to life.

Woman and two girls baking in a kitchen. Kitchen features white cabinets and tiled backsplash. — Ingredients set out for making Resurrection Rolls.

Each ingredient tells part of this beautiful story:

Crescent Rolls: The dough symbolizes the wrapping of Jesus’s body, much like the linen cloths in which He was laid.
Marshmallows: The sweetness represents Jesus—the one who brings salvation to the world.
Butter: The melted butter symbolizes the oil that was put on Jesus' body after his death on the cross as a preparation for burial.
Cinnamon Sugar: This spice mixture symbolizes to the spices and scents also used in preparing Jesus's body for burial.

Now, it’s time to gather your little bakers and embark on this fun Easter adventure!

Gathering Your Ingredients

Before you start, ensure you have the following ingredients ready:

1 can of crescent rolls (8 rolls)
2 TBSP granulated sugar
2 TBSP ground cinnamon
8 large marshmallows
1/4 cup melted butter

Having everything ready helps streamline the baking process and keeps the excitement high for little ones!

Step 1: Prepare the Roll Dough

Begin by preheating your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. While waiting for the oven to heat up, separate the crescent rolls into triangles. This is a fun activity for kids that helps them practice their motor skills. As they tear apart the dough, they are not only building hand coordination but also learning about organization while lining up the triangles on a baking sheet.

Close-up view of freshly unrolled crescent dough triangles — Freshly unrolled crescent dough ready for Resurrection Rolls

Step 2: Combine Cinnamon and Sugar

In a small bowl, mix the sugar and cinnamon well. This step is an excellent chance to talk about how sugar represents Jesus's love and how cinnamon is reminiscent of burial spices.

Step 3: Prepare the Marshmallows

This part is where the magic unfolds! Have the kids dip each marshmallow into the melted butter, ensuring it is thoroughly coated. Then, roll the buttery marshmallow in the cinnamon-sugar mixture until it is well covered. Watching the marshmallow transform into a sweet delight brings the idea of transformation to life, a key theme in the resurrection story.

Step 4: Assemble the Rolls

Now is the moment of building! Each child can place their coated marshmallow on the wide end of a crescent roll triangle. Teach them how to pinch the dough around the marshmallow tightly, sealing all edges. This action represents how Jesus was placed inside the tomb, emphasizing the importance of the stone door sealing him in tightly.

Tips for Sealing

Encourage your kids to use their fingers to seal every edge. Explaining how crucial it was for Jesus to remain undisturbed in the tomb makes the process all the more engaging and meaningful.

Woman and two girls baking in a kitchen. The woman rolls dough, while the girls watch and help. Neutral-toned cabinets and backsplash. — Place the marshmallow in the wide end of the crescent dough triangle.

Hands shaping dough over a parchment paper on a speckled countertop. A fork rests nearby, with flour scattered around. — Be sure to seal it well by pinching the dough edges together.

Step 5: Bake the Resurrection Rolls

Position the stuffed rolls on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake them for about 10 minutes or until they turn golden brown. As the rolls bake, take a quiet moment to discuss waiting and trust, drawing parallels with how the disciples waited for Jesus's resurrection. (see John, chapters 19 and 20)

Step 6: Enjoy and Reflect

Once you've baked the rolls and they’ve cooled slightly, have the kids take a bite. They will discover the marshmallow is gone, representing the empty tomb where Jesus once lay. This revelation is a wonderful moment that enhances their understanding of the Easter story. Like in our YouTube video, they'll say, "It's EMPTY!"

A New Tradition for Your Family

So this Easter, begin a new tradition for your family by making Resurrection Rolls together. This tradition will create memories that will stick with them for years to come. Happy baking, and happy Easter!