See how to make the best cinnamon candles! Made all natural with soy wax and essential oils, cinnamon scented candles offer a delicious scent and make cute gifts. The perfect candle to spread holiday cheer and coziness!
DIY cinnamon candles
Do you like cinnamon? Yes? Then enter your new favorite air freshener: cinnamon candles. I know cinnamon candle sounds pretty simple, but the scent is absolutely delicious. It will fill your home with the smell of warm cinnamon rolls and holiday nostalgia.
And speaking of simple, this candle tutorial is pretty easy. The recipe starts with soy wax, which is infused with fragrant cassia essential oil. I also share a few fun variations (like cinnamon vanilla or cinnamon apple) at the end of the post.
I want to gift these DIY soy candles as handmade Christmas gifts and opted for small mason jars. However, you can jump up a few jar sizes and create a large cinnamon candle if you’re feeling so inclined.
For more holiday candles, try our gingerbread tealights, homemade pumpkin spice candle, DIY pine candles, and this apple cider candle from my friend Kristy of Life-n-Refection.
Cinnamon candle benefits
Cinnamon is an aromatic and delicious scent that reminds me of warm cinnamon buns, French toast, snickerdoodles, and all sorts of holiday treats. But there’s more to cinnamon than just the pleasant smell. The oil offers aromatherapy benefits, too!
Burning a cinnamon candle may have the following aromatherapeutic benefits:
- Relaxation: Smelling cinnamon can help to ease your mind and put you in a relaxed mood.
- Uplifting: The oil is a great mood enhancer. Cinnamon’s warmth provides a burst of positivity and is great to soothe the winter blues.
- Deodorizer: Lighting a cinnamon candle is also an excellent way to deodorizer and refreshen your home.
- All-natural: You won’t find synthetic fragrances or paraffin wax here! My homemade candle recipe is made with natural materials like essential oils and soy wax.
Ingredients & supplies
- Soy wax is the heart of the candle and is made from soybean oil. Golden Brand 646 soy wax is a fantastic candle wax because it holds fragrance well and has a beautiful, smooth finish.
- Cinnamon essential oil lends the candles a delicious and warming cinnamon scent. I recommend cinnamon bark or cassia for the best aroma. More on that later.
- Wick: I used pre-tapped cotton wicks. The wrong wick can ruin your homemade candle. When buying a wick, make sure it’s appropriate for the size/width of your candle container. ECO 2 is the perfect wick for small mason jars like those pictured.
- Candle container: You need a leak-free container that can withstand heat like mason jars, glassware, or candle tins. I used 4-oz quilted mason jars since I will be giving my cinnamon candles as holiday gifts. You can find other jar sizes in the FAQ section.
Candle making tools
- Digital scale to measure out the wax and essential oil.
- Hot glue gun to adhere the wick to the candle container.
- Saucepan to melt the wax.
- Spoon or spatula for stirring.
- Infrared thermometer to take the temperature of the wax.This tool is optional, albeit useful.
- Wick centering device or chopsticks to center the wick.
- Scissors to trim the wick.
What is the best cinnamon essential oil for candles?
Cinnamon essential oil can be derived from the leaves or outer bark of the cinnamon tree. A quick search will reveal that there isn’t just one, but three different cinnamon oils. Here’s a quick overview:
Cinnamon bark
This oil is made by steam distillation of the bark of Ceylon cinnamon (aka Cinnamomum zeylanicum, Cinnamomum verum, or true cinnamon). Cinnamon bark has red-brown color and a strong cinnamon aroma that smells warm and spicy.
Cinnamon leaf
The leaves of Cinnamomum zeylanicum are steam-distilled to create this variety. Cinnamon leaf has an amber tinge and a lighter, muskier cinnamon scent similar to clove.
Cassia
Cassia is steam-distilled from the bark of the cassia tree (Cinnamomum cassia), a genetically related plant to Ceylon cinnamon. The oil is golden brown in color and has a spicy, slightly sweet cinnamon smell.
Okay, and which oil is best for candle making?
Although all three are suitable for candles, I recommend cassia essential oil to make cinnamon candles. Cassia has a strong aroma with a hint of sweetness that evokes the smell of freshly baked cinnamon cookies. Cassia (around $7) is also more affordable than cinnamon bark, which costs almost §15.
Of course, that’s just my personal preference. Cinnamon leaf is a beautiful choice if you enjoy lighter scented candles. And cinnamon bark is a lovely option if you want to treat yourself to a luxury candle.
How to make cinnamon candles
Step 1: Prep candle containers
- Make sure your candle containers are clean, dry, and free of dust.
- The wick needs to be attached to the candle container before pouring the wax. Apply hot glue to the bottom of the wick tap and then quickly adhere to the bottom of your containers. Allow the glue to harden.
Step 2: Secure wick
- To secure the wick, thread it through a wick centering device. The wick centering device ensures that the wick stays centered and doesn’t sway in the melted wax.
Step 3: Measure wax
- Measure the wax with a digital scale.
- If you don’t have a digital scale, fill your candle container with wax flakes, then double the amount.
Step 4: Melt wax
- Put the wax into a medium-sized saucepan. Heat over low flame until the wax is fully melted. Stir occasionally to aid the melting process.
- Once fully melted, take the wax off the heat and let cool to 185°F / 85°C.
Step 5: Add fragrance
- When the wax has reached 185°F / 85°C, it’s time to add the cinnamon essential oil. Pour the oil into the wax and stir 30 to 40 times to combine the wax and scent.
Step 6: Pour candle
- Allow the wax cool to 140°F / 60°C. Then pour the wax carefully into the containers.
Step 7: Let candle set
- Allow the wax to set at room temperature for a couple of hours or overnight.
Step 8: Top up wax (optional)
- In case your candle has cracks, holes, or tunneling around the center, simply melt extra wax and cover up the top.
- Optionally, sprinkle a little ground cinnamon on top and let harden.
Step 9: Cure candle
- For the best cinnamon candle, seal the container and cure your candles for 1 to 2 days. Curing helps the wax and essential oil bind together and create a stronger and more even scent throw.
Step 10: Burn candle
- Trim the wick to 1/2 in / 1 cm before burning the candle for the first time.
- Heat the candle until the full diameter of the candle has melted, and only burn the candle for 3 to 4 hours at a time.
- Please see below for more candle safety burning tips.
FAQs
How many candles does the recipe make?
My cinnamon candle recipe is enough to make:
- 4 x 4-oz / 115 g candles (like the 4-oz mason jars you see in the photos)
- 2 x 8-oz / 225 g candles (use these 8-oz mason jars)
- 1 x 16-oz / 450 g candle (like this 16-oz wide mouth mason jar)
Feel free to produce more or fewer candles by adjusting the quantities.
Why isn’t my cinnamon candle white?
As I’ve mentioned, cassia and cinnamon bark have a dark brown color, giving the wax a light yellow or reddish tint. This is perfectly fine and just indicates that the oils you used are of excellent quality.
Can I add ground cinnamon to candles?
You could add ground cinnamon to your candles, but I don’t recommend it. Ground cinnamon won’t scent the wax, and most of the spice will sink to the bottom of the candle container.
You can sprinkle a light dusting of cinnamon powder across the top as a decoration.
Can I decorate my candles with cinnamon sticks?
No, it’s not safe to stick whole cinnamon sticks into the wax. Cinnamon will hinder the flame from burning properly and could catch fire.
Still, if you decide to decorate your candle with cinnamon sticks, be sure to remove them before lighting the candle.
Storage & shelf life
- Storage: Store your DIY soy candles in a dry, cool location, where they aren’t exposed to the sun or any heat sources. The sun’s UV light breaks down essential oils, and your candle would lose its scent.
- Shelf life: DIY cinnamon candles should last for 1 to 2 years.
Tips for gifting cinnamon scented candles
To package the candles for gifting, decorate the jars with our free printable labels. The labels come in different sizes and are designed to fit between mason jars’ lids and metal rings. You can download them below.
For an extra cozy accent, tie a piece of twine or ribbon around the jar and insert a cinnamon stick. I also swapped the regular lids out for these gorgeous rose gold lids. Now you have an adorable homemade holiday gift!
Cinnamon Candle Recipe
See how to make the best cinnamon candles! Made all natural with soy wax and essential oils, cinnamon scented candles offer a delicious scent and make cute gifts. The perfect candle to spread holiday cheer and coziness!
Materials
- 4 1/2 cups / 400 g / 14 oz soy wax flakes (I used Golden Brands 464 soy wax)
- 200 drops / 10 g / 0.35 oz cassia essential oil
- 4 pre-tapped cotton candle wicks (use size ECO 2)
- 4 4-oz mason jars
Tools
- digital scale
- saucepan or wax melting pot
- hot glue gun
- glue sticks
- spoon or stirrer
- wick holders
- temperature gun
- scissors
Instructions
- Prep candle containers. Make sure your candle containers are clean, dry, and free of dust. The wick needs to be attached to the candle container before pouring the wax. Apply hot glue to the bottom of the wick tap and then quickly adhere to the bottom of your containers. Allow the glue to harden.
- Secure wick. To secure the wick, thread it through a wick centering device. The wick centering device ensures that the wick stays centered and doesn't sway in the melted wax.
- Measure wax. Measure the wax with a digital scale. If you don't have a digital scale, fill your candle container with wax flakes, then double the amount.
Melt wax. Put the wax into a medium-sized saucepan. Heat over low flame until the wax is fully melted. Stir occasionally to aid the melting process.
Once fully melted, take the wax off the heat, and let cool to 185°F / 85°C. - Add fragrance. When the wax has reached 185°F / 85°C, it's time to add the cinnamon essential oil. Pour the oil into the wax and stir 30 to 40 times to combine the wax and scent.
- Pour candle. Allow the wax cool to 140°F / 60°C. Then pour the wax carefully into the containers.
- Let candles set. Allow the wax to set at room temperature for a couple of hours or overnight.
- Top up wax (optional). In case your candle has cracks, holes, or tunneling around the center, simply melt extra wax and cover up the top. Optionally, sprinkle a little ground cinnamon on top and let harden.
- Cure candles. For the best cinnamon candle, seal the container and cure your candles for 1 to 2 days. Curing helps the wax and essential oil bind together and create a stronger and more even scent throw.
- Burn candle. Trim the wick to 1/2 in / 1 cm before burning the candle for the first time. Heat the candle until the full diameter of the candle has melted, and only burn the candle for 3 to 4 hours at a time. Please see below for more candle safety burning tips
Notes
Safety tips
Please follow these safety tips when burning your DIY soy candle to prevent fire and accidents:
- Light the candles only on heat-resistant, straight surfaces (stone, metal).
- Never leave a burning candle unattended, and don't light it near flammable objects.
- Always allow the wax to harden before re-igniting, moving, or touching the candle.
- Take extra precautions when children or pets are present.
- Don't extinguish the candle with water.
Variations
Before signing off, I want to share a few mouthwatering cinnamon candle variations. I looked at the most popular cinnamon candles from well-known brands and tried to come up with homemade versions.
It isn’t always easy to replicate artificial scents with essential oils, but I did my best to find natural alternatives. Some specialty oils are pretty costly, so each blend is enough to scent one small 4-oz candle. You need 3.5 oz / 100 g soy wax per candle.
Cinnamon vanilla candle
First up is a delicious cinnamon vanilla candle. Cinnamon and vanilla are beloved baking spices, and these candles smell good enough to eat.
You can scent the candle with vanilla absolute, vanilla oleoresin, or this botanical vanilla extract from Plant Therapy.
- For one 4-oz vanilla cinnamon candle, add: 55 drops cassia + 45 drops botanical vanilla extract (or vanilla absolute)
Cinnamon roll candle
Next, we have a scrumptious cinnamon roll candle. I suppose you could call it a cinnamon bun candle or cinnamon toast crunch candle, too.
Anyway, the scent is similar to the cinnamon vanilla version, but includes bitter almond essential oil and ylang ylang to give it that smell of freshly baked, glazed cinnamon rolls.
- To make one 4-oz candle, scent the wax with: 45 drops cassia + 30 drops botanical vanilla extract + 20 drops bitter almond* + 7 drops ylang ylang complete
* 20 drops are approximately 1 ml, which is the sample size.
Cinnamon stick candle
This scent is inspired by Bath and Body Works’ cinnamon stick candle. The super-cozy blend is perfect for snuggling up with a comfy blanket on a snowy winter night. Clove bud and nutmeg essential oils add extra warmth and comfort.
Cinnamon caramel candle
Buttery, soft cinnamon caramel is a yummy holiday confect, and now you can enjoy this treat in candle form as well. We need cassia oil and tonka bean absolute to create this scent.
Tonka bean absolute is made from the cumaru tree, a large tropical tree, and has a sweet, toffee-like aroma. I recommend this diluted tonka bean absolute from Eden Botanicals. The oil isn’t cheap, but their 1 ml sample costs only $2 and is enough for one small candle.
- A 4-oz candle is scented with: 40 drops cassia + 20 drops tonka bean absolute (use the whole 1-ml sample)
Cinnamon apple candle
Last is a tasty cinnamon apple candle. This candle scent has a refreshing note and is supposed to resemble the smell of your favorite apple dessert. Think apple pie or apple crisp.
This scent was the hardest to figure out because apple essential oil doesn’t exist. However, I found that a blend of blood orange and green cognac essential oil creates a crisp, apple-like smell.
Green cognac essential oil has a tart, wine-like smell that is reminiscent of green apples. It’s the only natural alternative to apple fragrance oil. I like this fruity scent, but it sure isn’t for everyone. Be sure to buy the sample size to give it a try.
- To scent one 4-oz candle, you’ll need: 50 drops cassia + 35 drops blood orange + 15 drops green cognac