Easy Empty Tomb Rolls

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Empty Tomb Rolls are the perfect treat for Easter. Whether you have them for breakfast, brunch or dessert, they will be a huge hit!

These rolls are amazing anytime, but we love them for Easter morning! For more sweet and savory breakfast ideas try these cinnamon rolls, donut holes or German pancake.

Resurrection Rolls

Empty Tomb Rolls are also known as Resurrection Rolls. These rolls are popular at Easter time because of their symbolism, and because they taste so delicious. The outside is covered in a buttery cinnamon and sugar coating and the inside has a ooey gooey caramel-like cinnamon and sugar syrup. They are perfect to make with the kids and while you dip and roll you can teach them the meaning of the symbols.

Whether or not you make them to celebrate Easter, you need to make these just because they are so fun. The kids will love rolling the marshmallows in butter and cinnamon and sugar and folding it up in the roll dough. Then as they cook the marshmallow disappears leaving behind the sweet spiced syrup inside that make them so fantastic to eat. Kids of all ages will love making and eating these special treats. You have to try them!

Ingredients for Tomb Rolls

Use large marshmallows that soft and fresh for best results.

• Sugar: Sweet white sugar.
• Cinnamon: Adds the spice that compliments the sugar.
• Rhodes Rolls: You can use refrigerated crescent rolls or biscuits as well.
• Marshmallows: Big fresh squishy jumbo marshmallows.
• Butter: Do not substitute, butter is best.

How to Make Easter Tomb Rolls

Yes, these are a bit messy to make, but it is so worth it and so much fun!

1. Prepare: Preheat oven to 350 and grease a 12 muffin tin and set aside.
2. Sugar and Spice: In a small bowl whisk together the sugar and cinnamon.
3. Dough: Flatten out each roll into a small circle. 
4. Dip: Dip the marshmallow into the melted butter.
5. Dunk: Then dip the marshmallow in the cinnamon and sugar.
6. Encase: Place the marshmallow into the center and fold over the marshmallow and seal.
7. Roll: Take the dough ball and roll it in melted butter.
8. Dip: Then roll in the cinnamon and sugar again. Place into the muffin tin.
9. Bake: Place in the oven and bake for 10-15 minutes or till cooked through. Remove and let cool.

Tomb Roll Symbolism

These incredible treats are the perfect way to teach the true meaning of Easter. As you assemble the rolls with your kids you can explain what the different ingredients symbolizes. And then when you take them out, do not forget to explain the best part, the hollow inside representing the empty tomb. It is the best part. The kids and adults all love it.

• Large Marshmallows: This represents the body of Jesus.
• Roll Dough: Represents the wrapping of Jesus’ body or the tomb.
• Melted Butter: Symbolizes the  oils of embalming that were used.
• Cinnamon and Sugar Mix: This represents the spices used to anoint Christ’s body.
• Oven: Symbolizes the tomb.
• Hollow Inside Bun: These means the empty tomb or the empty cloths.

Tips for Easy Empty Tomb Rolls

These are absolutely delightful both to make and to eat. Here are a few tips to make them exquisite.

• Dough: You can use different kinds of dough for these, from Rhodes Rolls, to homemade dough. There are lots of options. Try refrigerated biscuit or crescent dough. For extremely flakey rolls use frozen pastry or phyllo dough.
• Thaw: If you use Rhodes Rolls and want to make in the morning you can thaw the dough in the fridge overnight and they’ll be ready to make in the morning. Let them sit at room temperature for 15 minutes at least.
• Seal It: You will want to make sure to seal the dough so the ooey gooeyness doesn’t ooze out. Pinch the ends securely and dip your fingertips in water to help seal the edges if needed.
• Muffin tin Must:  Using a muffin tin to put the rolls in actually will help the rolls seal. If any of the marshmallow leaks out, it will be contained and absorbed into the tomb rolls.
• Dipping: I love to use my kids to help with this part. They love it. I encourage them to use one hand for the butter and one hand for the cinnamon and sugar mix. Then it is best if someone different seals the rolls without cinnamon and sugar or butter on their hands. This will increase the chance of them not coming apart.
• Grease it or Parchment:  No matter how sealed the rolls are there will be some leakage. Be sure to grease the muffin tin or use parchment paper in each tin.

How to Store the Best Empty Tomb Rolls

These Tomb rolls are best eaten right from the oven, after it has cooled slightly. The melted marshmallow can harden as it cools. If you do have leftovers keep them in an airtight container at room temperature. You can reheat these in the microwave for 8-10 seconds. These will keep for up to 3 days.

More Easter Inspired Recipes

Holidays are wonderful because they mean exceptional food,  traditions, and family. Sometimes holidays mean the one time of year that you get to make that one of a kind food or have a special tradition. These tried and true recipes can help you create some amazing menus and even better memories.

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