In this article, I am going to teach you how to make food, drink, and dessert candles that you can create at home. We will cover some basic candle-making technics to mimic food and then move on to the recipes.
These are mybiggest sellers at craft fairs. I have an article if you would like to sell at craft shows.
All candles require testing. I have included Amazon, Etsy, or Other affiliate links to help you in your candle-making journey. We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post via affiliate links to products or services associated with content in this article.
What is the best wax for dessert candles?
There are several waxes you need to use to make dessert or food candles.
Container Soy Wax for your base
I would not start out with GB 464 or GB 444. They can be hard to work with as natural soy wax has a tendency to crater and leave rough surfaces. Here are 3 options for the base of your dessert candle.
Soy container wax like these is easy to work with and soft enough to whip and pipe for frosting. Don’t try to use paraffin. It is too hard. Your piping skills for cake frosting will translate to your candle wax frosting. You may need to practice with piping before you get the look you want.
Paraffin Wax for the details (embeds)
I have tried a soy/pillar wax blend but do not always get the detail from the mold. Paraffin candle wax is hard enough to hold the detail of molds such as fruit. Here are three options. I also find that granular wax is easy to work with because you do not have to cut it up before melting.
On the other hand, paraffin on its own looks transparent. Adding soy wax to the blend gives the wax a base white color. This makes it easier for finishing off with “painting”.
Gel Wax to Imitate liquids
Gel wax is made by one company and distributed by several companies. I have tried medium density and high density and cannot tell the difference. High density is supposed to stand on its own like a pillar candle.
Gel wax melts at a high temperature of 200 degrees Fahrenheit. Gel wax has to be melted on direct heat and cools fast!
Gel wax is the only way to get the look of liquids. Adding a very small tip of blue to look like water or a tiny drop of brown to look like cola. Add a couple of drops of brown and maybe a hint of black and gel wax will look like chocolate syrup.
Property Rules of Candle Wax
Working with candle wax andcandle wax blendshas a few rules to keep in mind.
Soft waxes such as soy do not work well in molds. They do not hold their shape. This type of wax works best in a container.
Soy/paraffin blends are normally brittle and are not as flexible as paraffin while it is warm.
All wax takes on the finish it was molded to. If the surface of the mold is not shiny the surface of the wax will not be shiny. This is true for gel wax. Silicone molds can leave a frosted finish on the surface if it has become worn or etched from use.
Learn more aboutcandle molds here.
Soy wax will absorb gel wax and over time dry it out. They do not make a good pair.
Working with candle wax is very similar to working with chocolate.
Sugar is flammable so embellish sparingly. I have an article on how to make candle wax embeds.
If you have never made candles before, here is an article to get you started. I made these with the Dollar Tree Jars.
How to Get a Realistic Look in a Dessert Candle
The beauty is in the details. Like art, it is important to add shading and highlights to bring the three-dimensional object to life.
Look closely at a strawberry. It is not a single red color. They often have a white to green top where it meets the leaves and the pits are brownish seeds. The outer portion has dimensional red tones.
With a real strawberry shortcake, the berries are macerated in a simple sugar making them look wet or glistening.
The crumble or cake has a couple of brown tones ranging from beige to specs of brown.
The realism comes from painting and dry brushing with candle wax dye. Invest in small artists’ brushes and liquid candle wax dye.
When I make wax crumble, I add small drops of liquid candle dye to the layer of wax after pouring it into a sheet pan. When I chop the wax to crumble and stir the variety of browns mix in.
Plain melted gel wax can be dabbed on to give that wet look. Use your imagination and creativity!
What do I need to make dessert candles?
Do not use utensils for food that has been used for candle making.
- Candle Wax– I use soy, a soy/paraffin blend, paraffin, and gel wax. Each recipe will be different depending on the technic. Some recipes will call for a combination of waxes.
- Candle Wicks– Wicks are selected based on the diameter of the candle and you may need a variety.
- Wick Stickersor Hot Glue
- Wick Centering Tools
- Scale– all candle making ingredients are measured by weight(what I use)
- Double Boiler and a heat source such as a stove orhot plate, oven mitts, hot pad
- Thermometer
- Pouring Pitcherfor each type of wax
- Fragrance Oil(*How much to use)
- Long-Handled Spoons
- Candle ContainersorMolds
- Liquid Candle Dye
- Craft or Artist Paint Brushes
- Food Mixer / Beaters with a whisp attachment – for recipes with frosting
- Piping Bag and Tips – for recipes with frosting
- Paper Towel, Latex* Gloves, Apron
- Some recipes will call for unique ingredients or tools not listed here
We will start with the simple or easiest recipes and work our way through to the more complex food candle creations.
Easy Container Dessert Candles
Birthday Cake Candle
Ingredients
- 6 ounces of soy wax
- 1.5 ounces Birthday Cake Fragrance Oil or Buttercream Fragrance Oil
- 1/2 pint jelly jar (canning jar) or 8-ounce straight-sided glass jar
- 1 HTP 105 Wick and wick sticker or hot glue (or equivalent)
- 1 ounce Mod Podge (optional)
- 2 ounces candy sprinkles
- Prepare the candle jar by brushing on Mod Podge covering the insides of the candle jar walls.
- Spread the candy sprinkles around the jar by rolling them around. Let Dry
- Lightly Cover the sprinkles with the leftover Mod Podge to seal the sprinkles.
- Attach the wick to the center of the bottom of the jar.
- In a double boiler, melt the soy candle wax to 185 F.
- Remove from water and cool to 165 F, then stir in the fragrance oil.
- Let cool to about 135 F and gently pour in the prepared jar.
- Use a wick-centering tool to hold the wick upright and centered.
How to MakeCupcake Candles for Beginners
How do you make iced candles?
Soy wax can be whipped when it turns opaque and can be used as icing on your dessert candles. It can be spooned on candles or piped on.
Once, the whipped candle wax is in the piping bag work quickly as it will harden fast.
Easy Cupcake Candle Recipe
Ingredients
Cupcake Candle Starter Kit with Amazon
- 6 ounces of soy wax
- 1.5 ounces Fragrance oil
- ½ pint Jelly Canning Jar
- HTP 105 Wick and Sticker
- Piping Bag and Star tip
- Small heat-safe microwavable bowl
- Liquid Candle Dye
- Attach the wick to the center of the canning jar or silicone cupcake liners.
- Melt the soy wax in your double boiler until 185 F. Remove from heat.
- Stir in the fragrance oil.
- Pour about 1/3 of the mixture into the small bowl. This is the frosting.
- Add ½ drop (tip of a toothpick) of candle dye to the remaining 2/3 candle wax and stir. This will be the cake portion.
- Let the candle wax cool to about 135 F and pour it into the canning jar or cupcake liners.
- Center the wick to the top of the jar or cupcake liners. Let cool and solidify.
- Take the 1/3 white candle wax that you poured into the bowl and whisk until the consistency of mashed potatoes. You may have to reheat the mixture in 30-second intervals in the microwave if it has solidified.
- Spoon the candle wax frosting into the piping bag and pipe on top of the candle.
- Keep the wick centered. Let the candle cure.
If you are making many of these, you can make the cake part of the candle in one session and the frosting part of the cupcake in another session. The equipment can be used for other projects.
You can pour paraffin wax into the silicone molds to add to the frosting as a topper.
How to make candle embeds that look like fruit
You can make candle wax embeds to decorate your candles. You can also make your own molds.
How do you make candle wax look like whipped cream?
Many dessert candles are made with candle wax that is meant to look like frosting (whipped cream). Once you learn this technique, adding to the top of your candles finishes it off.
You can use candle wax frosting on top of candles that look like cake or pie. You can put a dollop on as a garnish. It can be used to hold embeds.
Soy candle wax has a melting point of around 120 F. When the candle wax is still warm, between the temperature of 100 and 120 F it is firm enough to be solid but soft enough to be whipped with a mixer. At this temperature, Place the candle wax in a piping bag with a tip and squeeze out as you would with frosting.
This technique takes practice to get a feel for. There is a short time to work with the wax as it cools and begins to harden and will no longer pipe through as frosting. It helps to work in small batches until you develop your technique.
I have also found that adding 2 tablespoons of coconut oil to 1 pound of soy candle wax while mixing with an electric mixer at 110 F is a good combination for me.
Blending waxes can help perfect your food look-a-like candles. I have an article on candle wax blends that may be helpful.
Because soy wax is sensitive to temperature, certain conditions can change the outcome of your candle wax frosting. These factors are the temperature of your mixing bowls, your room temperature, and how fast you work.
Tip: If you struggle with frosting using candle wax, you can buy silicone molds made from royal icing frosting. They will be pricy but worth it.
You can also make your molds from foods. This is a cheaper option and you can customize them to your personal needs.
This comes in handy making cupcake candles.
Strawberry or Cherry Cheesecake Candle Recipe
Ingredients
- 6 ounces of soy wax
- 2 ounces gel wax
- ¾ ounce Cheesecake Fragrance Oil
- ¾ ounce Strawberry or Cherry Fragrance Oil
- Red and Brown Liquid Candle Dye
- ½ Pint Canning Jar
- HTP 105 Wick and sticker (or equivalent)
- Attach an HTP 105 wick to the center of a ½ pint Jelly Canning Jar
- Melt the soy wax in your double boiler until it reaches 185 F.
- Remove from heat and divide into 3 bowls or glass measuring pitchers.
- In one bowl add the cheesecake fragrance oil, and stir until clear.
- In the second bowl add 1 drop of red candle dye and the strawberry or cherry fragrance oil, and stir until clear.
- In the third bowl add ½ drop (or the tip of a toothpick) of brown candle dye, and stir until clear.
- Melt the gel wax to 185 F and fold it into the red candle wax mixture but do not completely mix.
- Fold the soy candle wax in each bowl as the wax cools until it has the consistency of mashed potatoes.
- With a fork, fluff the brown candle wax until it looks like crumbles.
- Spoon each layer into the candle starting with the brown crumble at the bottom.
- Spoon a layer of Cheesecake scented white candle wax on the brown crumble.
- Spoon a layer of the Strawberry or Cherry scented red candle wax mixture next.
- Alternate layers until all of the candle wax is used. Keeping the wick centered as you fill the jar.
- Sprinkle any leftover crumble on top. Trim the wick to about ¼”.
You can also top these off with a swirl of candle wax frosting and sprinkles.
You cannot make candles with real fruit. Organic material will spoil. Yuck. – And, yes, someone asked.
What is a crumble candle?
Candle wax is poured into a shallow cookie pan (with edges) and as the wax hardens, it is chopped and stirred to look like the consistency of graham cracker crumbs.
Candle wax crumble is often sold as a wax melt that can be scooped for a custom fragrance blend or custom portion.
How do you make candles look like cupcakes?
Cupcake Candle Recipe
These require a candle wax that is designed as a pillar wax. Container waxes are too soft and may not hold their shape.
Ingredients
- 6 ounces soy/paraffin blend
- ¾ ounce Fragrance Oil
- HTP 83 Wick (wick test for your size cupcake)
- Piping Bag and Star Tip
- Small heat-safe microwavable bowl
- Liquid Candle Dye
- Long 3 mm Diameter Drill Bit
- Silicone Cupcake Liner (form)
- Melt the soy wax in your double boiler until 185 F. Remove from heat.
- Stir in the fragrance oil.
- Pour about 1/3 of the mixture into the small bowl. This is the frosting.
- Add ½ drop (tip of a toothpick) of candle dye to the remaining 2/3 candle wax and stir. This will be the cake portion.
- Let the candle wax cool to about 165 F and pour it into the cupcake liner.
- Let cool and solidify.
- Take the 1/3 white candle wax that you poured into the bowl and whisk until the consistency of mashed potatoes. You may have to reheat the mixture in 30-second intervals in the microwave if it has solidified.
- Spoon the candle wax frosting into the piping bag and pipe on top of the candle. Cover Completely.
- After the candle has completely cooled for about 4 hours, gently drill through the center of the cupcake to make room for the wick. Thread the wick through and gently push the wick tab into the bottom of the candle.
- Let the candle cure.
If you are making many of these, you can make the cake part of the candle in one session and the frosting part of the cupcake in another session.
Candle Wax Syrup Recipe
Topping off your cupcake with syrup makes it look more real. The syrup can be made in any “flavor” by choosing the color appropriate to the flavor.
Ingredients
- 4 ounces Gel Wax
- ¼ Ounce Paraffin Wax (or soy)
- Fragrance Oil (optional)- must be made for gel wax
- Candle Wax Dye
- Melt the gel wax in a pouring pitcher over low to medium heat.USE CAUTION.Gel wax must be heated directly on the heat source. Take the pouring pitcher off and on if it solidifies to re-melt. Do not leave it on the heat source. Heat until liquid.
- Add a slight amount of candle wax dye until you have reached your desired color.
- Add paraffin wax (or soy) a little at a time, stirring until the gel wax becomes opaque. Some syrup is more clear than others. Adding paraffin will make the gel wax cloudy to simulate syrup. It does not take much.
- Spoon the mixture over your creation.
- Reheat as needed. Gel wax solidifies quickly.
How do you make a candle that looks like ice cream?
I will let you in on a secret. I use the Nordic Ware Cone Cake Pan. This pan is designed for baking but they work great for candles too!
Fill the cavities with paraffin or a pillar soy wax blend. When the candle wax has completely set, drill a hole through the center for the wick.
To make the ice cream for your candle, pour the soy wax into a bowl to set up. When the wax is solid but not firm, scoop it out with an ice cream scooper. If needed spray your scooper with a non-stick spray like Pam.
Place the ice cream scoops on a tray or parchment paper to completely harden. When hard, drill a hole through the center.
Connect the cone and the scoop with a dollop of melted wax and thread the wick through the 2 pieces.
Candle Wax Ice Cubes in Soda Recipe
Gel wax poured in ice cube silicone ice cube trays or cut into cubes looks like ice.
- Place cubes of scented gel wax in a wicked candle jar.
- Prepare Gel wax as described in the Candle wax syrup method omitting the paraffin (or soy). Use less colorant to make the liquid part of the soda more transparent and believable.
- Pour the colored gel wax into the candle jar with the cubed gel. The bubbles will stay in the gel just like soda.
How do you make a milky candle?
Combining soy wax with gel wax creates a milky liquid that can be added to an iced coffee candle. This will give the illusion of cream in the coffee when poured in between the gel ice cubes on the top third of the candle.
Champaign Candle Recipe
This is an easy candle recipe that looks just like a drink.
Ingredients
- 6 Ounces Gel Wax
- Cotton Wick (no wick tab)
- Metal Skewer
- Standard Champagne Glass
- Melt the gel wax in a pouring pitcher over low to medium heat.USE CAUTION.Gel wax must be heated directly on the heat source. Take the pouring pitcher off and on if it solidifies to re-melt. Do not leave it on the heat source. Heat until liquid.
- Add a slight amount of candle wax dye until you have reached your desired color.
- Place the skewer in the center of the glass as a placeholder for the wick.
- Pour the gel wax into the champagne glass.
- Remove the skewer and replace it with a wick.
Shopping Guide for Supplies
DIY – Embeds – 13 Packs of Fruit Embeds – 10 oz Containers by AJTheCandleChef
The Candle Chef also has individual containers and molds available.
Juicy Peach Wax Embeds | Wax Melts | DIY Candles by KandlesbyKash
KandlesByKash alsosells completed candlesbut makes embeds for those that want to give it a try.
