Today my boys and I made Resurrection Rolls to help celebrate Easter, which is just around the corner.  This year I’ve been trying to intentionally plan some crafts and activities to prepare us for Easter Sunday.  My kids love to bake and I’m not very good about letting them help me 🙂  So in an effort to do better in that area too, I thought Resurrection Rolls might meet both needs.  Also, they help teach some great lessons about the true meaning of Easter, they are easy to make and quite yummy (that part surprised me!).  You might try these with your kids, grand kids, neighbors, or any “young at heart” people you know!

There are only a couple ingredients: crescent rolls, melted butter, cinnamon sugar and large marshmallows.

First separate the crescent rolls and lay out ready to use.  Hold up a marshmallow and explain that it represents Jesus – innocent, white without sin, perfect.  Dip marshmallows in melted butter.  The melted butter represents the water or anointing oils that were used to clean Jesus’ body.

Next sprinkle (or dip) the marshmallow in cinnamon sugar.  These represent the herbs and spices that were used to anoint Jesus’ body.  The spices may also represent how Jesus’ death on the cross was a sweet-smelling sacrifice to God.  Ephesians 5:2 says, “…and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”

After this is completed, wrap the crescent roll around the marshmallow.  This represents the linen strips that were used to wrap Jesus’ body.  Make sure to pinch all the edges closed – it’s hard to get them all closed tight enough.

If desired, brush the rolls with more melted butter and sprinkle on additional cinnamon sugar.

Place the rolls in the oven and bake according to the package directions.  They typically take about 10-12 minutes.  While the rolls are baking, read John 20:1-18.

Let the rolls cool for a couple minutes when they come out of the oven – you might ask the kids what they think will be inside!?  We weren’t very good at letting them cool!

Carefully open the Resurrection Roll and see what’s inside….

It’s empty!  Jesus is not here…He is risen!  The best news ever.

When baked, the marshmallow melts away leaving only the puffed crescent roll.  This represents how Jesus rose from the dead and all that was left in His tomb were the linen wrappings.

“He is not here; he has risen, just as he said!” Matthew 28:6

Eat your Resurrection Rolls and marvel at the greatness of our God and this glorious Easter reminder!  I hope you find the greatest gift ever given this Easter and enjoy the true meaning of the holiday.

Resurrection Rolls

1 can (8 oz) crescent rolls

8 large marshmallows

melted butter, couple tablespoons

cinnamon sugar

Unwrap crescent rolls and lay out ready to use.  Dip large marshmallows in the melted butter and lay on unrolled crescent roll.  Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar.  Wrap crescent roll around marshmallow and pinch edges shut.  Brush with more butter if desired and sprinkle with more cinnamon sugar.  Bake in oven according to package directions.  Remove rolls and enjoy, while discussing God’s greatest gift to us!