how to make pumpkin oil

ROAST PUMPKIN AND LENTIL SALAD

This Roast Pumpkin and Lentil Salad is a hearty, nutritious, and wholesome fall dish that can be enjoyed warm or cold. Plus, it’s both plant-based and gluten-free!

It’s hard to believe that sweater weather still hasn’t arrived in our country, especially with the unseasonably warm temperatures we’ve been experiencing. Wearing a t-shirt in November? It feels almost unreal!

Before the chill sets in, let’s savor a few more fresh, seasonal dishes like this vibrant Roast Pumpkin and Lentil Salad.

INGREDIENTS

  • 400 grams cooked brown lentils
  • 500 grams pumpkin
  • 100 grams baby spinach
  • 1 red onion
  • Olive oil
  • Salt & pepper
  • Fresh thyme

Toppings:

  • 3/4 cup pecans
  • 1/4 cup pumpkin seeds
  • 1 tbsp maple syrup
  • Salt & pepper to taste
  • 1/2 tsp cinnamon

Dressing:

  • 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tbsp maple syrup
  • 4 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 garlic clove, minced

INSTRUCTIONS

Cook the Lentils: If using dry lentils, rinse about 100 grams under running water, then cook them in salted water for 30-40 minutes, or until tender. Alternatively, use 400 grams of pre-cooked canned lentils, draining and rinsing them well.

Prepare the Pumpkin: Preheat the oven to 200°C (390°F). Line two baking trays with parchment paper. Slice the pumpkin into cubes, removing the seeds, until you have about 500 grams. Arrange on a large tray, drizzle with olive oil, and season with salt, pepper, and thyme. Roast in the oven for 20 minutes, or until the pumpkin is tender and lightly caramelized at the edges. Once done, remove from the oven and set aside. Reduce the oven temperature to 160°C (320°F).

Toast the Toppings: Roughly chop the pecans and pumpkin seeds. Toss them with maple syrup, salt, pepper, and cinnamon until well-coated. Spread them out on a smaller baking tray and roast in the oven for 15 minutes at 160°C (320°F), or until golden brown and fragrant. Once baked, set aside to cool.

Make the Dressing: In a jar, combine the apple cider vinegar, maple syrup, olive oil, and minced garlic. Secure the lid and shake well until the dressing is emulsified.

Wilt the Spinach: Heat a small amount of olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the baby spinach and sauté until wilted.

Assemble the Salad: In a large bowl, combine the cooked lentils, sautéed spinach, roasted pumpkin, and sliced red onion. Drizzle with the dressing and toss everything together. Top with the toasted pecans and pumpkin seeds.

Serve: Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to 3 days.

NUTRITION INFORMATION (PER SERVING)

  • Calories: 336
  • Total Fat: 22g
    • Saturated Fat: 3g
    • Unsaturated Fat: 18g
  • Cholesterol: 0mg
  • Sodium: 212mg
  • Carbohydrates: 31g
    • Fiber: 9g
    • Sugar: 10g
  • Protein: 9g

This colorful and nourishing salad is a perfect way to celebrate fall while keeping things light and healthy.

HOW TO MAKE DIY CINNAMON CANDLES

Learn How to Make the Best All-Natural Cinnamon Candles! Crafted with Soy Wax and Essential Oils, These Cozy, Cinnamon-Scented Candles Are Perfect for Holiday Cheer and Make Thoughtful, Homemade Gifts!

DIY cinnamon candles

Do you like cinnamon? Yes? Then enter your new favorite air freshener: cinnamon candles. I know cinnamon candle sounds pretty simple, but the scent is absolutely delicious. It will fill your home with the smell of warm cinnamon rolls and holiday nostalgia.

And speaking of simple, this candle tutorial is pretty easy. The recipe starts with soy wax, which is infused with fragrant cassia essential oil. I also share a few fun variations (like cinnamon vanilla or cinnamon apple) at the end of the post.

I want to gift these DIY soy candles as handmade Christmas gifts and opted for small mason jars. However, you can jump up a few jar sizes and create a large cinnamon candle if you’re feeling so inclined.

For more holiday candles, try our gingerbread tealights, homemade pumpkin spice candle, DIY pine candles, and this apple cider candle from my friend Kristy of Life-n-Refection.

Cinnamon candle benefits

Cinnamon is such a comforting, aromatic scent—it brings to mind cozy treats like cinnamon buns, French toast, snickerdoodles, and all sorts of holiday goodies. But there’s more to cinnamon than just its delicious fragrance! Its essential oil provides some great aromatherapy benefits, too.

Here are a few benefits of burning a cinnamon-scented candle:

  • Relaxation: The warm scent of cinnamon can help calm your mind, setting a soothing, relaxed atmosphere.
  • Mood Boost: Cinnamon oil has uplifting properties that can enhance your mood and help brighten up winter days.
  • Natural Deodorizer: Lighting a cinnamon candle refreshes and deodorizes your home with a natural, pleasant aroma.
  • All-Natural Ingredients: This homemade candle recipe uses only natural materials, like soy wax and essential oils—no synthetic fragrances or paraffin wax here!

Making your own cinnamon candles is a great way to bring warmth and natural fragrance into your space, while also reaping these soothing benefits.

Ingredients & supplies

To make the perfect cinnamon candle, here’s a breakdown of the essential components:

  • Soy Wax: This is the base of your candle, made from natural soybean oil. I recommend Golden Brand 646 soy wax, known for its smooth finish and excellent fragrance-holding capacity.
  • Cinnamon Essential Oil: The key to that warm, inviting cinnamon scent! Cinnamon bark or cassia essential oils offer the richest aroma for these candles.
  • Wick: I use pre-tabbed cotton wicks. Choosing the right wick is crucial; the wrong size can affect how your candle burns. For small mason jars like the ones shown, the ECO 2 wick is ideal.
  • Candle Container: Use a heat-safe, leak-proof container like mason jars, glassware, or candle tins. I chose 4-oz quilted mason jars, which are perfect for gifting. For other jar sizes, check the FAQ section.

With these ingredients, you’ll have all you need to make beautiful, cozy cinnamon candles that are perfect for spreading holiday warmth!

CANDLE MAKING TOOLS

  • Digital Scale: For accurately measuring the wax and essential oils.
  • Hot Glue Gun: To secure the wick at the bottom of the candle container.
  • Saucepan: Used to melt the wax safely.
  • Spoon or Spatula: For stirring the melted wax and oils.
  • Infrared Thermometer (optional): Helpful for checking the wax temperature.
  • Wick Centering Device or Chopsticks: To keep the wick centered as the wax sets.
  • Scissors: For trimming the wick to the proper length after the candle has cooled.

What is the best cinnamon essential oil for candles?

When choosing the best cinnamon essential oil for candle making, here’s a quick comparison of the three main types:

  • Cinnamon Bark: Extracted by steam distilling the bark of Ceylon cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum or true cinnamon), this oil is red-brown with a warm, spicy scent. It’s intense and luxurious, making it ideal for a high-end candle.
  • Cinnamon Leaf: Derived from the leaves of Ceylon cinnamon through steam distillation, this oil has an amber color and a milder, muskier scent, reminiscent of clove. It’s a great option for a lighter, subtler candle aroma.
  • Cassia: Made from the bark of the cassia tree (Cinnamomum cassia), cassia oil is golden-brown with a strong, slightly sweet cinnamon scent that reminds many of fresh-baked cinnamon cookies. Cassia is also budget-friendly (around $7), making it an excellent choice for candle making.

Which oil is best for candle making?
For a classic cinnamon candle, I recommend cassia essential oil. Its warm, sweet, and spicy aroma is perfect for creating a cozy atmosphere, and it’s affordable for larger batches. However, if you prefer a lighter fragrance, go for cinnamon leaf, and for a luxurious candle, splurge on cinnamon bark oil.

Each oil brings its unique qualities, so you can choose the one that best fits the vibe you want to create!

How to make cinnamon candles

STEP 1: PREP CANDLE CONTAINERS

  • Make sure containers are clean, dry, and free of dust.
  • Attach the wick by applying hot glue to the wick tab, then press it firmly to the bottom of each container. Allow the glue to harden.

STEP 2: SECURE THE WICK

  • Thread the wick through a centering device (or use chopsticks) to keep it centered while pouring and setting the wax.

STEP 3: mEASURE WAX

  • Use a digital scale to measure out the wax. If you don’t have a scale, fill your container with wax flakes and then double the amount.

STEP 4: MELT WAX

  • Place the wax in a medium saucepan and heat over low heat, stirring occasionally, until fully melted.
  • Once melted, let the wax cool to 185°F (85°C).

STEP 5: ADD FRAGRANCE

  • At 185°F (85°C), add cinnamon essential oil to the wax. Stir well (30-40 times) to combine the fragrance with the wax.

STEP 6: POUR THE CANDLE

  • Let the wax cool to 140°F (60°C) before carefully pouring it into the containers.

STEP 7: LET CANDLE SET

  • Allow the candles to set at room temperature for a few hours or overnight.

STEP 8: TOP UP WAX (OPTIONAL)

  • If you see cracks or holes, melt extra wax and top up. Optionally, sprinkle ground cinnamon on top and let harden.

STEP 9: CURE THE CANDLE

  • For the best scent, cover the containers and cure candles for 1-2 days, which allows the wax and essential oil to bind for an even scent throw.

STEP 10: BURN THE CANDLE

  • Trim the wick to 1/2 inch (1 cm) before the first burn.
  • Burn the candle until the melted wax reaches the edges, and limit burning time to 3-4 hours.

Storage & shelf life

Storage Tips:
Store your homemade soy candles in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight or any heat sources. UV light can degrade the essential oils, causing the scent to fade over time.

Shelf Life:
When stored properly, DIY cinnamon candles have a shelf life of 1 to 2 years.

Tips for gifting cinnamon scented candles

  • Add Printable Labels: Download and print the free labels, designed to fit between mason jar lids and metal rings. Attach the labels for a personal touch.
  • Decorate with Twine and Cinnamon Sticks: Wrap a piece of twine or ribbon around the jar, tucking in a cinnamon stick for an extra cozy, rustic accent.
  • Swap Out Lids: Consider using rose gold lids or decorative options for an elegant finish.

With these simple touches, your homemade cinnamon candles become charming and festive holiday gifts!

CONCLUSION

Making your own cinnamon candles is a fun and rewarding DIY project that fills your home with a warm, inviting aroma. By using natural ingredients like soy wax and essential oils, you’re creating a cozy atmosphere while avoiding synthetic fragrances. Whether you’re crafting them for yourself or giving them as thoughtful, handmade gifts, these cinnamon candles bring both comfort and charm. With a little creativity in packaging, they’re perfect for spreading holiday cheer and adding a personal touch to any occasion. Enjoy the process and the sweet, soothing scent of cinnamon!