Holiday Cinnamon Clove Candle Recipe

Capture the essence of holiday warmth with these festive cinnamon and clove candles. The rich, spiced aroma instantly creates cozy, nostalgic atmosphere perfect for December celebrations. These candles are holiday bestsellers that appeal to traditional sensibilities and seasonal gatherings.

Ingredients

Wax

• 2 lbs (32 oz / 907g) soy wax flakes

Wicks

• 4 pre-tabbed braided cotton wicks, 0.625" width

Fragrance

• 2.4 oz (68g) cinnamon fragrance oil (premium quality)
• 1.2 oz (34g) clove fragrance oil (pure clove, not clove leaf)
• Total fragrance: 3.6 oz (102g) (approximately 11% load)

Containers

• 4 eight-ounce (240ml) glass containers (warm-toned containers complement spiced scent)

Additives (Optional)

• Red or rust soy dye (0.5 oz / 14g)
• Cinnamon sticks for decoration (2-3 pieces)

Equipment Needed

• Double boiler or candle melting pot
• Thermometer (0-200°F)
• Digital scale
• Pouring vessel
• Wooden stirrer
• Wick holders or clothespins
• Wick stickers
• Heat source with temperature control
• Heat-resistant work surface
• Small brush for stick positioning

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare Containers and Wicks

Clean containers thoroughly and dry completely. Spiced fragrances are sensitive to surface contamination. Position wick stickers at container bottoms. Secure wicks and ensure all are centered and upright.

Step 2: Melt Soy Wax

Add soy wax to double boiler top pot. Heat water below to gentle simmer. Heat wax slowly to 170-180°F, stirring occasionally. Soy wax accommodates the higher spiced fragrance load effectively.

Step 3: Cool Before Fragrance

Remove from heat and allow to cool to 155-160°F. This cooling prevents volatile spiced fragrance compounds from evaporating. Cinnamon and clove are robust but benefit from careful temperature handling.

Step 4: Add Cinnamon Fragrance Oil

Pour cinnamon fragrance oil into cooled wax at 155-160°F. Stir thoroughly for 2-3 minutes. Cinnamon should be fully integrated before adding the secondary clove fragrance.

Step 5: Add Clove Fragrance Oil

Add clove fragrance oil to cinnamon-infused wax at 155°F. Stir for additional 2-3 minutes. The combination requires thorough mixing—ensure no streaking or separation visible. The dual-fragrance blend needs complete saturation.

Step 6: Verify Complete Integration

Heat combined fragrances back to 170°F and stir for 1 additional minute. This heating/cooling cycle ensures both fragrances are fully dissolved. The high fragrance load requires extra integration attention.

Step 7: Add Color (Optional)

If adding red or rust dye, add at 155°F and stir for 2-3 minutes. Deep warm tones complement cinnamon-clove beautifully. Test color on white paper before committing entire batch.

Step 8: Secure Wick Holders

Position wick holders across container openings. Ensure wicks are upright and centered. The higher fragrance load creates slightly different burning characteristics—secure wick positioning is critical.

Step 9: Pour Wax

At 165-170°F, pour wax carefully into containers. The spiced fragrance has slightly higher viscosity—pour steadily without interruption. Fill to 0.5 inches below container rims.

Step 10: Stabilize Wicks

During initial cooling (first 15-20 minutes), verify wicks remain centered and upright. The combination of fragrance load and soy wax sometimes causes slight wick drift—monitor and adjust if needed.

Step 11: Cool Completely

Allow candles to cool undisturbed at room temperature (68-72°F) for 6-8 hours. Avoid moving containers. Spiced fragrance candles cool reliably without typical imperfections.

Step 12: Add Cinnamon Stick Decoration (Optional)

Once completely cooled, position 2-3 cinnamon sticks along wax surface or carefully insert one at an angle. Use small brush dipped in melted wax to secure sticks if needed. This adds festive visual appeal.

Step 13: Trim Wicks and Cure

After overnight cooling, trim wicks to 0.25 inches. Allow full 48-hour cure before burning. Spiced fragrance candles develop full scent throw during extended curing period.

Tips for Success

• Quality spiced fragrance oils are essential. Premium cinnamon and clove fragrances smell authentic and complex. Cheaper versions smell artificial or overly floral.
• The 11% fragrance load is high but necessary for proper scent throw with this fragrance combination. Do not increase beyond this percentage.
• Pour at 165-170°F to achieve smooth finish and prevent frosting from higher fragrance load.
• Red, rust, or deep gold containers complement cinnamon-clove perfectly. Match container color to fragrance theme for cohesive presentation.
• Ensure first burn lasts 2 hours to develop proper melt pool with higher fragrance load. Extended first burn is important.
• These candles are seasonal bestsellers—begin production in September for November-December peak season.
• Cinnamon-clove pairs beautifully with holiday décor. Recommend for holiday gift giving and festive entertaining.

Troubleshooting

• Weak Spiced Aroma: Verify fragrance oil quality first. If quality is good, increase fragrance load to 3.8 oz in next batch. Spiced fragrances sometimes require slightly higher loads.
• Overly Artificial Smell: Cinnamon or clove fragrance oil quality is compromised. Source from different premium supplier. Better brands smell more authentic.
• Frosted Appearance: Pour temperature was too low. Next batch: pour at 170-175°F minimum. Higher fragrance loads increase frosting tendency—higher pour temperature helps.
• Surface Sweating (Oily Residue): Fragrance load exceeded optimal 11%. Reduce to 10.5% in next batch. Some fragrance oils separate at high loads.
• Wick Burning Unevenly: The higher fragrance load affects wick performance. Try sizing up to 0.75" width wick if burning is uneven.
• Uneven Color Distribution: Red dye requires thorough stirring. Stir for full 3 minutes and ensure no clumps before pouring.

Scent Combinations

• Classic Holiday Spice: 2.4 oz (68g) cinnamon + 1.2 oz (34g) clove as specified
• Enhanced Holiday: 2.0 oz (57g) cinnamon + 1.2 oz (34g) clove + 0.6 oz (17g) vanilla for warmth
• Deep Spiced: 1.8 oz (51g) cinnamon + 1.2 oz (34g) clove + 0.6 oz (17g) amber for sophisticated complexity

Cost Breakdown

Estimated Cost per Candle: $9.33 (without dye/sticks) / $10.33 (with dye and sticks)

Related Recipes

• Pumpkin Spice Fall Candle Recipe - Autumn spiced alternative
• Basic Soy Container Candle Recipe - Foundational technique
• Wood Wick Crackling Candle Recipe - Premium effect option

Holiday Tip: Cinnamon-clove candles are consistently top sellers from November through December. Plan production schedule accordingly—make these candles in September and October, then shift production focus to other fragrances in January. This festive blend is seasonal and should be marketed during holiday shopping periods.