Gourmet candles seduce with their visual realism and the power of their scents. Genuine olfactory trompe-l'œil, they have established themselves as original decorative pieces, often used to stand out from the crowd.
In this guide, we'll learn how to create a Panna Cotta candle, perfect for decorating the home or as a personalised gift.
Warning
This candle is not for sale. Legislation imposes strict rules on craft creations that imitate food products. We'll come back to these regulations later.
For more creative DIY ideas, see our recipe for "creating a pumpkin candle".
Panna Cotta candle recipe
This recipe is for personal use only, as some decorative ornaments do not meet marketing standards.
Materials required
- A transparent container reminiscent of a dessert glass
- Cast candle wax (here: olive wax for its smooth, natural finish)
- Wax for moulded candles, for strawberries
- 7 to 10% strawberry fragrance for a gourmet scent
- A wick adapted to the diameter of the container
- Red liquid colouring (strawberries and jelly)
- Paraffin gel for the translucent "coulis" effect
- Strawberry-shaped mould
- Beaker for melting and mixing the wax
- Wick centring device for perfect positioning
Steps in the production process
For the strawberry-shaped fondants
1. Melt the moulded candle wax until it reaches working temperature.
2. Add the fragrance, then stir gently for 2 to 3 minutes to blend well.
3. Add the red colouring until you reach the desired shade. Blend again to achieve an even colour.
4. Pour the mixture into the strawberry mould and leave to harden completely.
Tip: for an ultra-realistic result, vary the intensity of the red on some of the strawberries by adding a little uncoloured wax for a gradient effect.
For the white part of the Panna Cotta
1. Prepare your container by sticking the wick in the centre. Using a centring tool will help you keep it straight during pouring.
2. Melt the cast candle wax, then add the fragrance as soon as it reaches the right temperature. Then stir for a few minutes to ensure the fragrance is fully incorporated into the wax.
3. Pour the melted wax slowly into the container to avoid air bubbles and leave to cool until completely solidified.
For the paraffin grout
1. Melt the paraffin gel in a bain-marie at around 70°C.
2. Add a small amount of red colouring to obtain a translucent shade that imitates a real fruit coulis.
3. Once the gel has cooled slightly, pour it gently over the top, around and over the strawberries to create a topping effect.
Leave to cool for several hours before lighting your candle. And voilà, you've got an original, gourmet candle!
Gourmet candles: a must-have trend
These creations are a real hit, because they immediately evoke the world of gourmet delights. They echo the visual codes of pastries, sweet drinks, cakes and fruity desserts.
The Iced Latte candle
Perfect for summer, this candle reproduces the aesthetic of an iced coffee and diffuses a fresh, energising fragrance.
The Cappuccino candle
In autumn or winter, there's nothing more comforting than a candle reminiscent of a steaming cup of chocolate, enveloping the home in a cosy atmosphere.
Gourmet candles and sales: what you need to know
Creating a gourmet candle for yourself or as a gift is no problem. On the other hand, marketing them is subject to very strict safety rules to protect consumers.
Regulations to be complied with
- Decorations (wax fruits, tablets, etc.) must be securely integrated and there must be no risk of them becoming detached.
- None of the elements must represent a danger of ingestion for a child (anti-choking standard).
- To avoid any risk, ornaments must not protrude from the container.
In case of doubt, the DDPP (Direction Départementale de la Protection des Populations) remains the reference body for checking the conformity of your creations.
Conclusion
The Panna Cotta version presented here is ideal for personal use and as a gift. When selling, it is essential to comply with the safety and labelling requirements applicable to candles that imitate food products, to protect your customers and your brand. To extend the experience and vary your creations, check out our tutorial: Making a Christmas tree candle with a whipped snow effect.
