Spoon University Logo
Lifestyle

9 Food-Scented Candles That Actually Smell Good

Updated Published

One of life’s purest and most simple joys is lighting a candle. There’s nothing like coming home from a long, exhausting day and setting up a cozy, smell-good ambiance to unwind — whether that includes taking a bath, lighting up your kitchen space, or adding some scent to your dorm room. (Don’t worry! If candles aren’t allowed, I promise I won’t snitch!) Now that colder weather and the holiday season are upon us, it’s the perfect time to stock up on good candles. With snow flurries hitting the ground, it’s time to shift away from summery, airy scents and indulge in smells that will have you Googling if you can eat a candle—don’t do it, by the way).

For those with a taste for gourmand, fruity, and saccharine scents, we’ve got the ultimate roundup of food-scented candles that are just your style.

1. Banana Pudding (Boy Smells)

Boy Smells’ viral Banana Pudding scent is inspired by Magnolia Bakery’s iconic sweet treat. If you’re a banana hater, fear not, as the fruit scent isn’t overwhelming or too sweet. In fact, many reviews of the product note that they love the prominent smoky creme brulee-esque smell.

2. Cafe au Lait (Illume Candles)

IMHO, a good coffee-scented candle can make any space feel instantly warmer and cozier. After all, if you can’t go out to your favorite local coffee spot, you should bring it right to you. This Cafe au Lait fragrance will instantly transport you to a Parisian bakery with its creamy espresso and vanilla notes.

3. Half Baked Apple Cider Smash (Snif)

Every season can feel like fall when you burn this amazing Half Baked Apple Cider Smash Candle from Snif. The notes include sparkling apple cider, Honeycrisp apple, donut, cinnamon sugar, caramel, and vanilla. Frankly, I wish every day was October, but this candle offers the next best thing.

4. Pillsbury Cinnamon Rolls (Goose Creek)

There’s no better smell than fresh-baked cinnamon rolls in the morning. You can recreate that scent at any time of day with Goose Creek’s Pillsbury collab. Plus, you can grab more candles in iconic Pillsbury scents including crescent rolls, sugar cookie, and more.

5. Rosemary Focaccia & Olive Oil (mise en place by Anthropologie)

rosemary candle?width=500&height=500&fit=cover&auto=webp&dpr=4

If you are looking for a gourmand candle that isn’t dessert-themed, opt for this herbaceous, bordering savory scent. Anthropologie is offering a Rosemary Focaccia & Olive Oil scented candle for the bread lovers out there.

6. Strawberry Pound Cake (Bath & Body Works)

The notes of whipped cream and fresh strawberries piled onto decadent cake makes it come as no surprise that this candle receives a 5-star rating. Plus, the three wicks make the scent strong enough to fill an entire room. 

7. Chai Milk (Nette)

food-scented candles
Photo via NETTE

For luxury candle lovers, this candle has up to 55 hours in burn time and smells of a hot chai latte with notes of brown sugar, cardamom, tonka, and cinnamon. Also, it’s perfect for a holiday season gift. 

8. Goji & Tarocco Orange, Voluspa

food-scented candles
Photo via Amazon

This candle is mouth-watering, juicy orange with the sweet punch of goji berries. It’s also strong — even the mini size is enough to linger around for hours.

9. A Whiff of Waffle Cone, Salt & Straw

food-scented candles
Photo via Salt & Straw

If you’re in love with the sweet, warm smell of Salt & Straw ice cream parlor, you’re in luck. This vanilla-y, sweet scent with notes of heavy cream and salted caramel can be found in candle form, so your space can smell just like a fresh waffle cone.

Kate is a writer, reader, Italian food aficionado, dancer, concert-goer, theatre kid, Capricorn, Adrianne Lenker stan, and advocate for willow trees.