Stanley tumblers can be accessorized with everything from straw protectors to lip gloss holsters. Our bags and cell phones have their own charm bracelets. It’s safe to say we’re in the era of more-is-more accessorizing, and that extends to what we put on our mantels and shelves.

After years of minimalist candles in sleek glass or opaque ceramic jars, I’m seeing a shift toward the whimsical, kitschy—and very much dinner-inspired. Food candles—despite being shunned the past few years for their (often) bakery-inspired scents or their tacky, road trip gift shop vibe—are back. And this time, they’re unabashedly over the top.

I first noticed the trend on YouTube and Etsy in late 2020, where artisan sellers made container candles topped with whipped wax and faux sprinkles. Tiana Coats of Winding Wick Candles has been at the forefront of the trend, sharing her business and candle-making tutorials online and, perhaps, inspiring the masses. (Last April, she released Candle Craft, a book devoted to candle projects, including how to make one that looked like a banana split.) Suddenly, sub-brands from Martha Stewart and Rachel Zoe were selling container candles topped with all kinds of wax “treats” at HomeGoods, as brands like SouthLake Gifts gained notoriety for their oh-so-realistic takes on cereal and mugs of hot cocoa.

But now, food-inspired candles aren’t just about adorning the tops of candles. They’re ditching the container altogether, opting for more realistic, sculpted designs that look nearly edible. And, while dessert styles tend to be more common, there’s been a rise of savory foods entering the mix.

A walk through HomeGoods and Target this past week proved to me this was a full-blown trend—you know you’ve hit critical mass when candles are being mass produced by the major retailers to load their holiday gifting aisles. HomeGoods, in particular, featured a mix of banana splits (much like the creation in Candle Craft) and savory candles: ramen, avocado toast, spaghetti and macaroni and cheese were all featured amid the traditional vanilla, citrus and cinnamon apple scents.

Then, at Target, clustered amid the holiday fragrances were glitter-topped almond croissants and sparkly peppermint rolls, as well as more evergreen (and less-expected) takes on food candles, like pizza. Meanwhile, you can find macaron-shaped candles at Ulta and just about every dessert or bowl of cereal imaginable on Amazon, and Etsy has only exploded with options. Even MoMA, Free People and Urban Outfitters are getting in on the trend.

Sure, they’re not so refined, but they add a quirky, surrealist touch to a space. Especially one that’s otherwise serious and oh-so adult. Want to take a closer look? Here are some of my favorites that I’ve come across.

The Best Food Candles You Can Buy This Year

1. Heirloom Tomato Candle

Is that tomato fresh from the farmers’ market? No, but it is handmade in Philly using beeswax from Swarmbustin’ Honey.

2. Almond Croissant Candle

Admittedly, this one made me do a double-take when I first saw it on store shelves. After the croissant lamp trend from a couple years ago, it makes sense the pastry would soon turn up in candle form. The only bummer is that it is unscented, because how amazing would that buttery, sweet almond scent be filling a room? (Alas, most sculpted candles aren’t scented, though, and if they are, they tend to have a very weak throw.)

3. Stacked Waffle Candle

Urban Outfitters and its sister brand, Anthropologie, may have my favorite takes on the trend, opting for food-inspired vessels. C’mon, how sweet is this ceramic stack of waffles? Plus, when it’s burned and cleaned out, you can use it as a candy jar or pencil container.

4. Pasta Candle Collection

Supersized farfelle- and rigatoni-shaped pasta are a playful nod to your love of carbs, without setting an entire faux bowl on the table. This take’s a little more artistic in its shape, with a surprising jasmine, neroli and orange blossom scent.

5. Mini Cake Stand Candle

Leave it to Anthropologie to take the trend to sophisticated new heights that are every bit as charming (if not more so). While they offer twists on peppermint candy and cupcakes, it was this set of cake stand-inspired candles that had me really struggling not to order a bunch, ASAP. Despite the fact that I already have more candles than I know what to do with, and plenty of wax to pour enough to last me years longer.

6. Milk Tea Boba Candle

I’d be remiss not to include a Winding Wick Candle on this list, considering that’s the brand the introduced me to this new wave of food-inspired wax. It’s understated, yet any boba fan will immediately know what this candle’s all about, and it has a cozy, milk tea scent.

7. Crunch Berry Soy Candle

When judging the Best of MakerPlace Awards for Michaels, I was introduced to End of Summer Candle Co’s novelty designs. While cereal milk candles have become increasingly common, I love the variety End of Summer offers, so you can really lean into the nostalgia. Plus, let’s be real: The best part of Cap’n Crunch was the scent. This look will remind you of your childhood breakfast—without making you relive those scrape-the-roof-of-your-mouth-apart days.