Indulgent Marshmallow Cinnamon Buns are a sweet treat that is similar to a cinnamon roll but are extra indulgent. You may have also heard them called Empty Tomb Rolls for Easter.
A store bought crescent roll is wrapped around a cinnamon sugared marshmallow and when it bakes the marshmallow melts and leaves the cinnamon bun hallow with a sticky bottom. The inside is full of delicious cinnamon and sugar. Then you drizzle the outside with a powder sugar glaze that takes it right over the top!
Jump to:
- Ingredients Needed for Empty Tomb Rolls
- What are Resurrection Rolls
- Why You’ll Love These Kid Friendly Easter Rolls
- How to Make Empty Tomb Rolls
- Variations
- What To Serve with Easter Rolls
- Easter Brunch Menu
- More Yummy Pastry Recipes
- Did you make this recipe?
- Empty Tomb Rolls Recipe
- Leave a comment and rate this recipe!
Ingredients Needed for Empty Tomb Rolls
If you have a well stocked spice and baking cabinet then you are half way to making this recipe!
- Cinnamon
- Sugar
- Butter
- Marshmallows
- Powdered Sugar
- Milk
- Crescent Rolls
What are Resurrection Rolls
Resurrection rolls are a simple, symbolic baked treat that's most often made around Easter, especially with kids. They're sometimes called empty tomb rolls.
At their core, they're made by wrapping a marshmallow in dough, coating it in butter and cinnamon-sugar, and baking it. In the oven, the marshmallow melts and disappears, leaving a hollow center. When you break one open after baking, it's "empty," which is why people connect it to the Easter story and the idea of the empty tomb.
Why You’ll Love These Kid Friendly Easter Rolls
This is a pretty easy recipe especially because you use store-bought crescent dough, which makes the recipe easy enough for the kids to help. My daughter helped make this batch. Here are some tasks the kids can help with:
- Roll the marshmallow in the melted butter and the cinnamon sugar.
- Drizzle the outside with butter and then sprinkle on the cinnamon sugar.
- Make the powder sugar glaze, and spoon it on once the buns come out of the oven.
This recipe is also a great way to talk about the meaning of Easter with younger kids.
Don’t forget they are also a tasty treat for everyone!
How to Make Empty Tomb Rolls
- Preheat the oven to 375°F and grab a 12 count muffin tin.
- In a small bowl melt the butter in the microwave. In a separate bowl combine the cinnamon and sugar.
- Gently roll each marshmallow in the melted butter and then in the cinnamon sugar mixture.
- Wrap a crescent roll dough triangle around the marshmallow making sure to pinch all the seams closed. This does not have to look pretty… just make sure the seams are sealed or the marshmallow will seep out of the seams.
- After the marshmallows are wrapped in the dough, place in the muffin tin seam side up, drizzle the crescent with a little butter and then sprinkle with cinnamon sugar.
- Bake for 10-13 minutes until they are golden brown.
- While they cook make the Powder Sugar Glaze: Simply mix together a ½ cup of powder sugar and 1 tablespoon of milk or water.
- Once the Cinnamon Buns come out the oven let them cool for about 5 minutes. Then remove them from the muffin tin. You may have to run a knife around the edge to get them out, especially if the marshmallows seeped out of the sides.
- Place on a cooling rack or on parchment paper and drizzle with the Powder Sugar Glaze.
Variations
Orange Sugar Resurrection Rolls : Add fresh orange zest to the cinnamon-sugar before coating the dough. It gives the rolls a light, citrusy flavor.
• Strawberry Cheesecake-Style Resurrection Rolls : Mix finely crushed freeze-dried strawberries into the cinnamon sugar. After baking, dust with powdered sugar or use the glaze recipe below.
• S'mores Resurrection Rolls : Add a pinch or two of cocoa powder to the cinnamon sugar and tuck a few mini chocolate chips into the dough before sealing.
What To Serve with Easter Rolls
These rolls are a great addition to an Easter Brunch, the kids can say they made them and tell the story of the empty tomb.
Easter Brunch Menu
An easy Easter brunch menu with cozy classics and simple dishes that make hosting feel doable.
More Yummy Pastry Recipes
Did you make this recipe?
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Empty Tomb Rolls Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
Cinnamon Buns
- 1 tube crescent roll dough - 8 count
- 4 tablespoon salted butter - melted
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 8 marshmallows
Powder Sugar Glaze
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon milk or water
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and prepare a muffin tin by lightly greasing each cup with oil or nonstick spray.
- Melt the butter in the microwave.Mix the cinnamon and sugar together in a small bowl.
- Dip the marshmallow into the melted butter and then lightly roll the marshmallow in the cinnamon sugar mixture.Wrap a crescent dough triangle around the marshmallow and crimp all the seams closed. This does not have to look pretty (see photo).Place in the muffin pan, seam side up.
- Drizzle a little butter over top of the crescent and then sprinkle with cinnamon sugar.
- Bake for 10-13 minutes, until they are golden brown. Don't worry if some of the buns pop open and marshmallow spills out, they are still delicious!
- You may need to run a sharp knife around the edge of the buns to get them out of the pan.Let the cinnamon buns cool on parchment paper or a cooling rack for about 5 minutes, then drizzle with powder sugar glaze.
Powder Sugar Glaze
- While the buns bake make the powder sugar glaze.In a small bowl mix together the powder sugar and milk or water. Stir until it is all incorporated. You may need to add a drop of two of additional milk or water, but don't add too much, you want a pretty thick consistency because the frosting will melt over the warm cinnamon buns.
Emily Bruno says
How fun are these! My kids would love the disappearing marshmallow trick!
Susie says
It is a perfect kid friendly recipe! My daughter loved helping me make these (and eating them)
John says
I loved these cinnamon buns – indulgent is the perfect word to describe. I over-indulged!
Susie says
Im so glad you loved them! They are a perfect winter treat
Danielle Wolter says
OMG Susie, these look like the best things ever!! I love the malted marshmallow in the middle. What an awesome idea!!I totally need to make these. Pinned!
Susie says
Thank you for saving the recipe! They are super indulgent for sure.