How-to: Layered Cookie Cutter Candles

Cookie cutter candles are really fun to make. Plus they’re totally cute. We learned that on Monday, when I went over how to make single-color candles with cookie cutters. Today, I’m sharing how to make them with 2 or more colors in layers. Surprisingly, it’s really not that hard! It’s mostly just a matter of mixing more than one color of wax and letting each layer of poured wax harden enough that the waxes won’t mix, but liquid enough that the layers stick together, forming one layered candle.

Supplies

soy wax flakes
2 double boilers (or 2 tin cans and a cooking pot)
timer
candle dyes
candle scents (essential oils, pumpkin spice mix, whatever you want)
candle wicks
stove
scissors
Halloween cookie cutters
waxed paper
clothespins
old baking sheet
candle thermometer (optional)

Directions

First off, if you haven’t checked out my first tutorial on making candles with cookie cutters, you’ll want to take a look. There are some very useful tips to take into account before trying this more advanced technique. And if you’ve never ever made a candle, I have a candle making 101 video tutorial to help you get started. 

Some reminders from my first cookie cutter candles post to kick off this project… 
Lay a sheet of waxed paper over a baking sheet, and set washed and dry cookie cutters on top. Melt your soy wax flakes in a double boiler (or tin can) on the stove, mixing in your desired candle dye and scent. Wait to pour the wax into the cookie cutter until the wet wax has cooled a bit – if it’s too hot, the wax can leak under the bottom of the cookie cutter and make a huge mess. Also, don’t pour your wax unless you’re pressing the cutter down into the waxed paper/baking sheet, forming a seal.

Regarding wicks for your candles, I recommend getting them ready before you pour your wax. To prep them, trim the metal bases if they came with them. Then bend them into an L shape with one leg as long as your cookie cutter is tall.

Pour your first layer of wax into one or more of your cookie cutters, following the tips listed above and/or my first cookie cutter candle tutorial. When you pour out your wax, remember to keep your hands pressing down on the cutter and count to 100 before letting go to let the wax cool enough to form a seal over the bottom of the cookie cutter.

Ok, so review part over, for you wonderful, stupendous regular readers out there! 

Moving on. Set a timer for 10 minutes, starting it immediately after your first layer is poured. When it dings, your wax should still be a bit soft. Rather than poking it to see how hard it is (ouch!) literally jump next to your table to see how much jiggle is going on in your wax. Seriously, I jumped around my kitchen like a total weirdo to test all of my candles. Do it! If your wax isn’t cool enough, the heat of the next layer of wax will melt the two layers together, ruining the look. Your candles will be ready for a second layer when there’s almost no jiggle, which should only take 10 or 15 minutes.

Place your wick in the center of your candle with the tail sticking straight up into the air. To keep it from tipping over, clip the tail into the mouth of a clothespin as shown, resting the butt end of the clothespin on the far edge of the cookie cutter.

Melt a different color of soy wax in the same scent on the stove like the first layer. Let it cool a bit, just like the first layer, and pour a second layer of wax. Set a timer for 10 minutes to let the second layer of wax harden. Using the crazy jumping-around-the-kitchen test, check to see that your wax has hardened a good amount after your timer dings. Then, melt (or re-melt) a third layer of wax and fill your candle to the brim. Let the whole candle dry overnight, and carefully remove your candles from their cookie cutters. Trim excess length from the candles and light to enjoy!

Note: Your candles don’t have to be 3 layers or 5 or 2 – it’s all up to you! The more layers you do, the more work it is, but they do kinda get cooler the more intricate you make ’em. Just go wild – making candles is totally fun and easy, you’d be surprised!