Name: Empty Tomb Rolls from the Pot
Yield: 8

Empty Tomb Rolls are satisfying treats with soft dough and sweet, cinnamon marshmallows that melt into an “empty tomb” when baked.

Also called Resurrection Rolls or Vanishing Rolls; these are reliable for Easter!

author’s note

The Empty Tomb Rolls Tradition It is satisfying to!

Every year growing up, my mom would make Empty Tomb Rolls (or Resurrection Rolls) as a fun and tasty way to share the Easter story. Of course, I had to carry on the tradition.

They’re reliable for any occasion, not just Easter, and can double as satisfying desserts or brunch additions.

Off-season, they’re called Vanishing Rolls because the marshmallows inside melt away when baked.

All the ingredients for this recipe—cinnamon, white sugar, butter, and marshmallows—prepped and ready for straightforward assembly.

Empty Tomb Rolls Ingredients

Ingredient	How It’s Used / Tip
Sugar & ground cinnamon	Mixed together to coat the marshmallows with a sweet, cinnamon flavor.
Unsalted butter	Helps the cinnamon-sugar stick and adds rich flavor.
Buttery crescent rolls	“Flaky & Buttery” flavor crescent rolls are a reliable.
Large marshmallows	Create the gooey center. Use fresh, soft marshmallows so they melt well.

Cinnamon sugar mixture being made and the marshmallows being dipped in cinnamon sugar and it all being rolled in a crescent roll for these empty tomb rolls.

The Empty Tomb Meaning

Empty Tomb Rolls are a fun way to learn about the Easter story of Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection.

These rolls are not just satisfying; they’re packed with symbolism from the Bible stories in Matthew 27-28, Mark 15-16, Luke 23-24, and John 19-20.

Here’s what it all means:

Marshmallow: Represents Jesus—pure and without sin.
Butter and cinnamon coating: Like the linen Jesus was wrapped in after His crucifixion.
Wrapped in crescent dough: Jesus being placed in the tomb.
Baking: Represents the time of waiting.
Empty inside when opened: A reminder of the empty tomb and Jesus’ resurrection.

Dough balls being dipped in butter and coated in cinnamon sugar and then being added to a greased muffin tin.

How To Make Empty Tomb Rolls

Grease muffin tin well with cooking spray or butter to make the rolls straightforward to take out.
Wrap marshmallow snugly in dough, sealing it tight so it doesn’t leak while baking.
Watch baking time: Aim for 10-15 mins until they’re golden brown.
Enjoy warm: They’re yummiest when warm, with the marshmallow center all gooey.

Variations

Get creative with flavors: Feel free to play with spices. Add nutmeg or allspice to the mix, or swap cinnamon for apple pie or pumpkin pie spice for a fun change.