How to Make Beeswax Candles

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This article shares how to make beeswax candles at home. I use beeswax when making candles because it clears the air and is great for allergy sufferers. Last year I made beeswax candles in vintage jello tins. Beeswax candles are easy to make and are great gifts. This time I wanted to make a scented candle using essential oils and cinnamon sticks. 

Can you feel it? Autumn is in the air! The past few days we have felt cool morning weather, which is so refreshing! It finally feels timely to think about decorating and making some fall-ish recipes. And this cinnamon& clove scented candle is the perfect way to begin!

Scroll down for the step-by-step picture directions of how to make beeswax candles with cinnamon!

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Step 1

Coarsely chop 4-5 pieces of cinnamon bark.

Step 2

Lay out 5 small dip bowls on a flat surface. Place 1 pre-waxed candle wick in each bowl, then wrap the extra wick around a thin pencil (this will keep the wick in place when hot beeswax mixture is poured in.)

Step 3

Lay out additional supplies: 

a candy thermometer
1 1/2 cup palm oil vegetable shortening
1/2 lb beeswax 
cinnamon and clove essential oil
chopped cinnamon
a double boiler (I used a glass mixing bowl in a pot of water)

Step 4

SLOWLY melt the beewsax on low-medium low heat. This could take an hour. The candy thermometer should be placed in the water and watched to stay under 180 degrees. *use a few ice cubes to cool the water if it gets too hot. Beeswax going over 180 degrees can cause discoloration.

Step 5

Wait until the beeswax is fully melted. 

Step 6

Add 1 1/2 cups of vegetable palm oil shortening. This will prevent the candle from cracking as it hardens. Melt completely, stirring occasionally. 

Step 7

Add 30 drops each of cinnamon and 30 drops of clove essential oils, or to your preference.

Step 8

Add 1/2 of the chopped cinnamon bark to the hot beeswax mixture.

Step 9

Evenly pour hot beeswax mixture into each bowl, about 2/3 full.

Step 10

Allow to cool for 10-15 minutes. The top layer will harden quickly.

Step 11

Once the top layer of the candle has hardened (10-15 minutes after pouring in the bowl) gently place the remaining chopped bark in wax, scattering between the 5 bowls.

Step 12 (optional)

Sprinkle a few dashes of cinnamon on each candle, then allow the candles to cool and harden for at least 24 hours.

Step 13

Once candles have hardened for at least 24 hours, cut the wick about 1/2 inch from the base.

I hope this tutorial for how to make beeswax candles was helpful! Scented beeswax candles are the perfect way to say hello to Autumn. And the container options are endless! You can also experiment with swapping the cinnamon and clove essential oil with other popular essential oils like cedarwood or lavender.

Disclaimer: Never leave a lit candle unattended and use it in a well-ventilated area. 

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Julia Fain

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