It’s party time! Cupcake candles look good enough to eat, smell delicious, and add just the right fun and festive touch to any occasion. Customize your cupcake candles for scent and color combinations, or color coordinate for holidays, seasons, events, and parties. Show your crafty side by making a sweet celebration candle!
Materials List:
Pillar/Votive Wax
Suggestions:
• Ky 133 Versatile Paraffin Wax Blend
• Ky 143 Paraffin Pillar Wax (used in this tutorial)
• Ky Para-Soy Tart & Votive Blend
Digital Scale
Fragrance Oil (if desired)
Candle Colorant
Whipped Wax (refer to Whipped Wax Tutorial)
Foil Cupcake/Muffin Liners
Cupcake/Muffin Pan
Zip Lock Baggie(s)
Pour Pitcher
Thermometer
44-24-18 Zinc Wick
Presto Pot or double boiler to melt wax
Metal Spoon to stir wax
Safety goggles
Apron to protect clothing
Wax paper, old newspapers or aluminum foil
Step 1
Cover counter with wax paper, old newspapers or aluminum foil to make clean up easier. Prepare the cupcake foil liner molds by placing pre-tabbed wicks in the center of the liner. Use a wick sticker to keep the wick centered. The wick sticker can be peeled off later. Place the wicked liners in the muffin/cupcake pan and set to the side.
Step 2
Melt the candle wax with the chosen method – presto pot or double boiler. Make sure to follow the wax manufacturer melting and pouring guidelines for correct temperatures.
For this tutorial, KY 143 Paraffin Pillar Wax** is being used so it will need to be heated to approx 180°F per the manufacturer guidelines. Use the thermometer to correctly monitor the temperature.
Step 3
Set the pour pot on the digital scale and tare. Transfer needed amount of wax to pour pot – in this tutorial (4) Cupcake Candles will be created, so 8 oz* total of wax will be needed. Transfer 8 oz* of wax, and add .64oz of Rustic Escentuals Fudge Brownie Fragrance Oil**. Stir well (approx 2 min). Then add approx. 4 drops of Rustic Escentuals Brown Premium Liquid Colorant** candle dye. (More dye may be added if a darker color is desired.)
TIP: To test the color, add a few drops of the colored wax onto a white surface, like a paper plate, and let cool – this will give you a better idea of what the candle will look like when the candle cools. If the wax is not dark enough, add a bit more color, mix, and test again. Dyed candle wax appears darker when it is melted.
Step 4
When the wax has cooled to approx 175° pour into the cupcake liners. Note: Don’t overfill – fill until approx. 1/8” is left in the cupcake liner – room is needed later to be able to remove the liner from the wax.
Step 5
Once the wax has completely cooled, remove the foil liner and the wick sticker from the bottom.
Note: If the tops of the candles are wavy in appearance, this is fine because the wax frosting topping will cover any imperfections.
Step 6
Refer to the Whipped Wax Tutorial to prepare the cupcake *frosting*
Step 7
When the whipped wax is a nice consistency, similar to cake frosting, spoon into a Ziploc baggie. Push the warm wax towards one corner and snip off the corner. Pipe the wax frosting onto the cupcake while being sure to keep the wick straight. Start from the outer edge of the cupcake while working towards the center in a circular motion. Move quickly because the wax will begin to cool and harden.
Note: If the wax hardens too much during the process, simply re-melt, whip & begin again.
Step 8
Let the candles cool completely. Once completely cool, trim the wick to approx. 1/4 inch, place on an appropriate pillar holder, light & enjoy!
*Wax weights are approximate and not exact.
** Wax, fragrance & colorant selections in this tutorial are for demonstrative purposes only.
SOME SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
- Cover counter with wax paper, old newspapers or aluminum foil to make clean up easier.
- Be sure to wear safety goggles for eye protection. You do not want to be splashed in the eye with hot wax! Remember with wax – safety first.
- Waxes used in making candles are very similar to cooking oils – they are flammable and they are poured at high temperatures, but with certain precautions, accidents may be avoided. NEVER HEAT WAX ABOVE 210°F.
- For safety, wax should be melted in a double boiler. Wax should NEVER be heated directly over an open flame or burner. Direct heating can cause wax to explode and result in serious injury.
- Use of a thermometer is advised to ensure proper wax pouring temperature.
- Never leave hot wax unattended. Keep children and pets away from the area where wax is being melted and poured.
- Never pour water in a wax fire. Water will cause the fire to spread. To extinguish a fire in a pan, cover the pan with its lid. Use a dry chemical fire extinguisher.
- Never pour melted wax into the sink or other drains.