Introduction: Babybel Candle

Eat lots of mini Babybel but never know what to do with the wax? Tired of shelling out the big bucks for tealights? Then boy, have we got the project for you. Using common household items, you too can make your own Babybel candle.

You’ll need:

  • Tissue
  • Mini Babybel cheese
  • Metal cap. We used the screw cap off of a bottle of sake.
  • 2" x 2" piece of aluminum foil (optional)
  • Lighter
  • Flat nose pliers (optional)
  • Glass jar (optional)

Step 1: Step 1: Making the Wick

  • Tear off a small strip of tissue, about the width of a finger and the length of the wax paper pull-tab. You’ll only need a single ply, so separate your tissue if it’s 2-ply.
  • Twist the tissue into a wick.

Step 2: Step 2: Adding a Base

  • Fold your wick in half.
  • If you haven’t eaten your mini Babybel, do so now. Save the wax coating and wax paper.
  • Take the wax paper pull tab and wrap it tightly around the middle of the wick. This will be the base of your wick.

Tip: if you want a brighter flame, wrap the pull tab close to the two ends of the tissue. If you want a longer-lasting flame, wrap it closer to the folded-over middle.

Step 3: Step 3: Adding Wax

  • Take the two wax halves and smush them one on top of the other.
  • Take your mini-wick and place it inside of the wax nest.

Tip: Separate the two bottom prongs. We found that this keeps your wick from listing to the side when the wax melts.

Step 4: Step 4: Shaping the Candle

  • My favorite step. Take the wax and mash it inward into a ball.
  • Just remember to fold it over and around the wick bottoms.

Step 5: Step 5 (OPTIONAL): Lining the Cap

  • If you want to use the cap again, line it with aluminum foil.
  • Tear off the edges for a neater look.

Step 6: Step 6: Lighting the Candle

  • Place your candle in the cap.
  • Light it.

Tip: Try not to use plastic caps. Paraffin melts at about 130°F...which is also the melting point of polypropylene, which is what most plastic bottle caps are made of. Cleaning congealed plastic goo out of a narrow glass jar is just not fun. Trust us.

Step 7: Step 7 (OPTIONAL): Placing the Candle

  • Using the pliers, carefully lower the lit candle into the glass jar.
  • You don't have to, but the jar keeps stray breezes from blowing out the candle. Plus it's prettier.

Step 8: Step 8: Enjoy!

  • Each Babybel candle will burn for about an hour, giving you more than enough time to drink your sake, eat another mini Babybel, and make your next candle.