How to Make a Cinnamon Scented Candle

Co-authored by Filip Kabashi

Last Updated: May 19, 2024 References

Candles are cozy enough on their own, but mixed with the warm fragrance of cinnamon, they can be even cozier, perfect for cold autumn and winter nights. They are easy to make, and you don't even have to go out and buy special fragrances. If you are hesitant to melt wax, you can make a very simple cinnamon scented candle with just a pillar candle and cinnamon sticks; the fragrance won't be as intense, but it will still be there.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Making a Cinnamon Scented Candle

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1
Hot glue the wick to the bottom of an empty 4-ounce (120-milliliter) jar. Get a wick that already has a metal tab attached to it, and place a glob of hot glue on the bottom of the tab. Quickly press the tab against the bottom of the jar.
- You can also use a candle votive. It needs to hold about 4 ounces (120 milliliters).
- If you don't have a hot glue gun, you can use a piece of double-sided tape instead. You can also try to balance the candle wick as best you can.
- For a fun twist, cut a small, sugar pumpkin in half, and scoop out all of the seeds and pulp. You make need to double the amounts for the wax and spices in order to fill the candle.^{[1]
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You can also use pens, markers, chopsticks, or even popsicle sticks. The goal is to keep the wick upright.

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3
Melt the wax. Put the wax into a glass measuring cup, then set the cup down in a large pot. Fill the pot with water until it is level with the wax; make sure that the water can't get inside the measuring cup. Bring the water to a boil over medium-high heat, and wait for the wax to melt, stirring it occasionally.^{[2]
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- Use an old measuring cup that you no longer use for cooking.^{[3]
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- Alternatively, you can melt the wax in the microwave at 1 to 2-minute intervals. Stir the wax between each interval.^{[4]
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4
Take the measuring cup with the wax out of the water, and stir 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon into the wax using a wooden skewer. For a more intense fragrance, add 15 drops of cinnamon essential oil.^{[5]
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Research source} If you'd like a more complex fragrance, consider adding 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract and ½ teaspoon of ground clove.^{[6]
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- Use pot holders to handle the measuring cup. It will be very hot.
5
Pour the wax into the candle. If you notice any air bubbles, use a wooden skewer to wipe the inside walls of the jar. This will send the air bubbles to the top.^{[7]
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- Be careful not to knock the wick aside. Keep the sticks to either side of it.
It may take up to 4 or 5 hours for the candle to completely harden. If you are in a hurry, you can stick it in the fridge to speed the process up.
This will not only help your candle last longer, but it will also prevent it from smoking and creating too much black soot.
Place the jar on a heat-safe surface, and light the wick. If you made your candle in side of a pumpkin, use it within a few days. Pumpkins do not last forever!

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Making a Simple Cinnamon Scented Candle

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1
Get a short, unscented pillar candle. The candle can be any size you want, but keep in mind that you will be wrapping the cinnamon sticks around this candle. The thicker the candle is, the more cinnamon sticks you will have to use.
- Choose a candle that is the same height as your cinnamon sticks.
- You can also use a tea candle, and stick it in a glass candle votive instead.
- For a twist, try a vanilla-scented candle. The cinnamon fragrance will blend well with it.
If you are using a candle votive instead, then place the rubber band around the middle of the votive instead. The rubber band will hold the cinnamon sticks in place. Don't worry about how the rubber band looks for now; you will be covering it up later.
3
Start tucking the cinnamon sticks behind the rubber band. Keep adding cinnamon sticks until the candle/votive is completely covered and there are no gaps left. How many
- The cinnamon sticks don't all have to be the same height. For a more interesting-looking candle, consider cutting some of the sticks shorter, so that you get a more natural, jagged look.^{[8]
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4
Straighten the cinnamon sticks up. It's okay if the cinnamon sticks are different heights or extend past the top of the candle, but they all need to be flat on the bottom. Gently tap your candle against a flat surface, such as a table, and push down on the cinnamon sticks until they are all even on the bottom. This will make your candle more stable, and prevent it from wobbling.^{[9]
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- All cinnamon sticks have a groove or seam. You can have the sticks all facing in the same direction, so that the groove is facing inward or outward. You can also make it random, with some of the sticks facing inward, and others facing outward.^{[10]
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5
Cover the rubber band by wrapping some ribbon around it. For a more rustic feel, you can use burlap ribbon instead. You can also wrap some baker's twine or jute string around it, then tie the ends into a bow; you'll have to wrap the twine/string a few times in order to cover the rubber band.^{[11]
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- You can use any type of ribbon you want, but something warm colored (burgundy, copper, or brown) will look best. You can also use fabric, gingham ribbon for that rustic, country feel. Grosgrain ribbon will also look great.
- If you are using baker's twine, consider using the red-and-white or red-and-ivory kind. It will make your candle look more interesting.
6
Consider adding some embellishments for that final touch. These types of candles already look pretty rustic, so anything that is related to fall, winter, or cozy, country cottages is a safe bet. Small pieces of branches, especially those with red berries attached, are a great choice. These branches and berries don't have to be real; craft stores sell realistic-looking plastic ones that last many years.
- If this is for winter, consider something with holly leaves and red berries. You can also use a mini branch with fake "ice crystals" attached.
- If this is for fall, consider something simple, such as a bare branch, or a branch with red berries.
- If you used a fabric, gingham ribbon, get a plastic button in a matching color, and glue it over the top of the bow.
Simply set the candle on a heat-safe surface, and light it. The heat from the fire will cause the cinnamon sticks to warm up, and release their fragrance. If you made a cinnamon-wrapped candle votive instead, you must use real candles; those battery-operated candles do not give off enough heat.

Expert Q&A

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Question

Can I use coffee instead of cinnamon?

Filip Kabashi
Candlemaking Expert
Filip Kabashi is a Candlemaking Expert based in Ontario, Canada. Filip and his brother Anton founded Berryline Candles in 2021, offering pet-safe candles handmade with coconut wax. Berryline’s candles are also paraffin-free, paraben-free, sulfate-free, phthalate-free, and cruelty-free. Committed to sustainability, Berryline Candles incorporates eco-friendly practices in production and packaging to minimize environmental impact. Berryline Candles has been featured in Biz X Magazine, The Penthouse Magazine, and the “Hello, Hello World” podcast. Berryline Candles is also a 2023 Community Votes Award winner for Best Candles in Windsor, a 2024 Canadian Choice Award Winner for Best Online Candle Shop and a 2024 Global Recognition Award recipient.

Filip Kabashi

Candlemaking Expert

Expert Answer

Yes, you can make a coffee-scented candle. But avoid using coffee grounds, using this can impede the wick’s ability to burn properly. Instead, use a few drops of coffee extract oil on your wax. Doing this ensures an even burn while providing a pleasant coffee aroma when your candle is lit.

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Tips

After the wax has melted, you can add some color with shaved crayons or candle-making dyes.

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If you can't find the right-sized jar, you can use a bigger one—just increase the amounts of wax and cinnamon. You can also use other items, such as cans or candle votives.

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If you making a candle from scratch with poured wax, and the fragrance is not strong enough for you, you can use more cinnamon essential oil. You can also use cinnamon-scented candle-making fragrance instead.

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Warnings

Never leave melting wax unattended. Hot wax is flammable.

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Never leave a burning candle unattended.

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