Resurrection Rolls

Resurrection Rolls: A Heavenly Easter Treat That Tells a Story 🥐✝️✨

1. Introduction

Resurrection Rolls are more than just a delicious pastry – they’re a meaningful Easter tradition that beautifully illustrates the story of Christ’s resurrection. These fluffy, buttery rolls hide a sweet surprise inside: a marshmallow that “disappears” during baking, leaving behind a hollow center that symbolizes the empty tomb. Perfect for family gatherings, Sunday school lessons, or as part of your Easter breakfast spread, this resurrection rolls recipe combines faith, fun, and flavor in every bite. The best part? You only need simple ingredients you probably already have in your pantry!

2. Ingredients

To make these symbolic resurrection rolls, you’ll need these simple ingredients that come together to create something truly special:

• 1 package (¼ oz) active dry yeast (the foundation of our risen dough)
• ¾ cup warm water (110°F) – test with your finger, it should feel comfortably warm
• ¼ cup granulated sugar (plus 1 tablespoon for activating the yeast)
• 1 teaspoon salt (to balance the sweetness)
• ¼ cup melted butter (plus extra for brushing) – you can also try our potato chip toffee butter for a unique twist
• 1 large egg (at room temperature for best results)
• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour (measured correctly by spooning and leveling)
• 8 large marshmallows (the star of our Easter story)
• 2 tablespoons cinnamon sugar mixture (about 1:4 ratio of cinnamon to sugar)

3. Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Activate the Yeast

In a large mixing bowl (or the bowl of your stand mixer if you’re using one), combine warm water, yeast, and 1 tablespoon of sugar. The water temperature is crucial – too hot will kill the yeast, too cold won’t activate it properly. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until foamy and fragrant. This represents new life and the resurrection power, much like the yeast brings life to our dough. While you wait, you might enjoy reading our about me page to learn more about our recipe philosophy.

Step 2: Prepare the Dough

Add remaining sugar, salt, melted butter, egg, and flour to the yeast mixture. Mix until a soft dough forms – it should pull away from the sides of the bowl but still be slightly sticky. Knead for about 5 minutes by hand or with a dough hook until smooth and elastic. The dough represents the linen cloths used to wrap Jesus’ body, so take care to develop it properly. If you enjoy working with dough, you might also love our Mexican mac and cheese recipe which uses a different kind of dough technique.

Step 3: Shape the Rolls

After the dough has risen (about 1 hour in a warm place), punch it down and divide into 8 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a smooth ball, then flatten into a circle about 4 inches across. Place a marshmallow (representing Jesus) in the center and carefully wrap the dough around it completely, pinching all edges to seal tightly. This sealing is crucial – you don’t want marshmallow leaking out during baking! Roll each sealed bundle in cinnamon sugar to represent the burial spices. The cinnamon sugar adds wonderful flavor and helps tell the story – similar to how our limoncello spritz uses citrus to tell its own flavorful story.

Step 4: Bake and Reveal

Place rolls seam-side down on a greased baking sheet about 2 inches apart. Brush the tops with melted butter for that beautiful golden color and extra flavor. Bake at 375°F for 12-15 minutes until golden brown. The magic happens in the oven – the marshmallow melts completely, leaving an empty tomb inside – just like Jesus’ empty tomb on Easter morning! For more baking inspiration, check out this resurrection rolls recipe from AllRecipes which offers some additional variations.

4. Tips for Perfect Resurrection Rolls

• Use fresh marshmallows for best results – stale ones won’t melt properly
• Make sure to seal the dough completely around the marshmallow – pinch firmly!
• Don’t overbake – the rolls should be golden but still soft inside
• Let cool slightly before serving to avoid burns from the hot melted marshmallow
• For extra flavor, add a teaspoon of vanilla extract to the dough
• If making with kids, have them help with the wrapping and rolling steps

5. Serving Suggestions

These resurrection rolls are delicious on their own, but here are some wonderful ways to serve them:

• A light dusting of powdered sugar (representing purity and the linen cloths)
• Fresh berries (symbolizing new life and springtime)
• Honey butter (for extra richness – mix equal parts softened butter and honey)
• A side of Easter story cards to share the meaning while you eat
• As part of a larger Easter dinner spread
• With a glass of milk or our special limoncello spritz for adults

6. Variations

• Gluten-free: Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend (add 1/4 tsp xanthan gum if not included)
• Vegan: Substitute plant-based butter and use a flax egg (1 tbsp ground flax + 3 tbsp water)
• Flavor twist: Add orange zest or cardamom to the dough for extra dimension
• Mini version: Use small marshmallows and make 16 bite-sized rolls (perfect for kids!)
• Savory version: Skip the sugar in the dough and fill with cheese instead (though this loses the symbolism)
• Advanced technique: Try our Chicken Bryan stuffing method for an extra flavor boost

7. The Easter Story Connection

Each element of this resurrection rolls recipe tells part of the Easter story, making it a powerful teaching tool:

• The marshmallow represents Jesus’ body – pure and sweet
• The dough represents the linen burial cloths that wrapped His body
• The cinnamon sugar represents the burial spices the women brought to the tomb
• The oven represents the tomb where Jesus was laid
• The empty center represents the resurrection – He is not there, He is risen!
• The golden brown exterior represents the glory of the resurrection
• The sweetness represents the joy of salvation

8. Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I make resurrection rolls ahead of time?
A: You can prepare the dough up to a day in advance (store covered in refrigerator), but bake them fresh for best results. The risen dough can also be frozen for up to a month.

Q: Why did my marshmallow leak out during baking?
A: This usually happens if the dough isn’t sealed completely. Make sure to pinch all edges firmly and don’t overfill with marshmallow. Also, avoid over-proofing the shaped rolls.

Q: Can I freeze resurrection rolls after baking?
A: Yes! Freeze after baking and cooling completely. Reheat in a 350°F oven for 5-7 minutes until warmed through. The texture is best when fresh though.

Q: What’s the best way to explain these to children?
A: As you make them, tell the Easter story step-by-step. When you open a baked roll to show the empty center, exclaim “He is risen!” and have children respond “He is risen indeed!”

Q: Can I use crescent roll dough instead?
A: While you can use refrigerated crescent roll dough for convenience, homemade dough makes the experience more meaningful and tastes better.

9. Conclusion

This resurrection rolls recipe offers more than just a delicious treat – it provides a tangible way to experience and share the Easter story. The combination of fluffy dough, sweet cinnamon sugar, and the magical disappearing marshmallow creates an unforgettable experience for children and adults alike. Whether you’re continuing a family tradition or starting a new one, these rolls will become a cherished part of your Easter celebrations for years to come. They’re perfect for Easter morning breakfast, as part of your Easter dessert spread, or as edible object lessons for Sunday school. May these rolls remind you of the empty tomb and the risen Savior every time you make them. He is risen indeed! ✝️🥐

For more information about our recipes, please see our disclaimer and terms and conditions.

Print