As the days grow shorter and temperatures start to drop, gourmand and spicy scents naturally find their way back into our homes. Inspired by comforting autumn drinks, the Macchiato Spiced Pumpkin candle pairs an indulgent look with a warm fragrance, making it a true piece of seasonal decor.
In this tutorial, you will learn how to make a macchiato-style candle with a pumpkin-toned gradient, a whipped wax topping and little moulded coffee beans. An ideal project to bring a cosy feel to your home or to make an original handmade gift.
Why the Macchiato Spiced Pumpkin candle is such an autumn favourite
This candle works on two essential levels: how it looks and how it smells.
Its clear container shows off the different layers of wax and the orange gradient, which instantly brings to mind the colours of pumpkins and autumn leaves. The whipped wax adds volume and recreates the indulgent look of a drink served in a coffee shop. The little moulded coffee beans complete the decoration and make the illusion even more convincing.
As for the fragrance, Macchiato Spiced Pumpkin has a gourmand, spicy character perfectly suited to the season. Its notes of cinnamon, nutmeg and vanilla create a warm, comforting atmosphere, ideal when the first cold snaps arrive.
Everything you need to make your autumn candle
Before you start, gather all the raw materials and accessories so that you can work through each step in the best conditions.
Raw materials
- Olive wax for moulded candles
- C3 soy wax for the container part and the whipped wax
- 7% to 10% Macchiato Spiced Pumpkin candle fragrance oil
- Orange dye chips
- Black dye chips
- Brown dye chips
Accessories
- A 450 mL clear container
- A 33/20 wick suited to the container
- A self-adhesive wick pad
- A wick centring tool
- A Coffee bean decoration mould
- A pipette
- Beakers
- A wooden stick for stirring
- A piping bag
- A piping nozzle
- A thermometer
- A bain-marie or a container suitable for melting wax
To gather all the accessories you need for your creations in one go, browse our selection of candle-making equipment and accessories.
Step 1: prepare the container and fit the wick
- Start by preparing your container so that it is perfectly clean, dry and ready for the wax.
- Attach the 33/18 wick to a self-adhesive pad, then position the wick in the centre of the container. Next, place a centring tool on top of the glass to keep the wick perfectly straight throughout the whole process.
Step 2: make the wax coffee beans
- Melt about 10 g of olive wax for moulded candles. You can adjust this amount depending on how many coffee beans you want to add to your decoration.
- Once the wax has fully melted, gradually add a few brown dye chips until you reach the shade you want. Stir thoroughly to spread the colour evenly. The recommended dosage for dye chips is 0.5%.
- Then pour the coloured wax into the Coffee bean mould and leave the decorations to cool and harden completely before unmoulding them. Set a small amount of this brown wax aside: you will use it later to create the decorative drizzle on the whipped wax.
Step 3: prepare the wax for the container
- Melt the C3 soy wax needed for your candle. Make sure you have enough wax to fill part of the container while keeping enough back to make the whipped wax.
- Keep an eye on the temperature with a thermometer and follow the melting, fragrance-adding and pouring recommendations for the wax you are using.
- Add the Macchiato Spiced Pumpkin fragrance at your chosen percentage, following the fragrance usage recommendations and your wax’s fragrance load capacity. Stir for long enough to distribute the fragrance evenly.
Step 4: create the autumn-coloured gradient
- Pour an initial amount of wax into the bottom of the container, then add a few drops or a small amount of orange dye along with a touch of black dye. Stir gently with a wooden stick without trying to get a perfectly even colour: the whole point is to keep different shades for a more natural look.
- Gently rotate the container so that the gradient climbs up the sides to about halfway up the glass. Leave this first part to set.
- Then pour in more wax until it comes slightly above the halfway mark, while leaving enough room for the whipped wax and the decorations. Once again, let the wax cool and harden before carrying on.
Step 5: prepare the whipped wax
- Use the rest of your C3 soy wax to make the whipped wax. Success at this stage depends mainly on the texture of the wax. It needs to cool enough to turn creamy and be piped, while staying soft enough to be shaped.
To master this technique, see our article on making whipped wax. You will find all the tips you need to get a texture that is just right for piping. If you would like to vary your designs, our previous tropical monoï flower candle recipe may also inspire you.
Step 6: pipe and decorate the candle
- Transfer your whipped wax into a piping bag fitted with the nozzle of your choice. Pipe the wax generously over the top of the candle to build volume. You can pipe in several passes to get a result that looks like real whipped cream.
- If necessary, gently rewarm the brown wax you set aside earlier, then pour it carefully over the whipped wax to create a drizzle effect.
- Finally, unmould your wax coffee beans and arrange them on top however you like. A few beans are enough to add the finishing touch and instantly evoke the world of the macchiato.
A gourmand candle to celebrate autumn
With its pumpkin tones, whipped cream effect and little coffee beans, this candle easily becomes a statement piece in your autumn decor. Placed on a coffee table, a shelf or at the heart of a seasonal display, it goes beautifully with natural materials, warm colours and coffee-shop-inspired interiors.
You can also personalise your creation by playing with the intensity of the orange shades, the piping style or the placement of the wax decorations. Always leave enough space around the wick, and remove any decorative elements that could interfere with the burn before lighting.
For more inspiration in an autumn and Halloween mood, take a look at our DIY bleeding candle too.
