The holidays always bring thoughts of cookies to mind. Christmas cookie candles make sweet presents without the calories, or they can be used in your own home as an innovative centerpiece for a holiday table. These candles are easy to make and can be burned just like any other candles. They will scent your home without tempting you to eat those extra calories.

Supplies Needed:

* Small metal cookie cutters
* Brown votive candles (optional)
* Cream votive candles (optional)
* Green sprinkles
* Red sprinkles
* Google eyes
* Wax paper
* Cookie sheet
* Melted container wax (scented and colored, if desired)
* Tea-light Wicking
* Lighter
* Tape
* Paring knife


Step One: Prepare the Cookie Sheet

Place a large piece of wax paper on the cookie sheet. Make sure that it is flat against the sheet. You can tape it down if you wish, as it is very important that the candles do not slide.

Step Two: Melt the Wax

Melt your wax in the top part of a double boiler or in a wax melting pot. Once melted remove from heat and stir in the dye, if desired. Blend for about two minutes. Add scent, if desired, and stir for another two minutes.

Step Three: Prepare the Cookie Cutter Molds

To turn a cookie cutter into a mold, run masking tape along the edge, snip at the corners, and fold the tape outward so the cutter sits flat on the wax paper. Spray the cookie cutters with cooking spray and place them on the cookie sheet. They can be fairly close together. Make sure that you are working somewhere that will not need to be used for about 24 hours, because once you start making the candles, they become difficult to transport until they are completely solid again.

Step Four: Melt and Pour the Wax

Option 1: If using the votive candle option, place a votive candle in the center of each cookie cutter. If the candle does not fit, shave some wax off the sides with the paring knife. Place the wax shavings around the candle in the cookie cutter. Burn the votive candles. As the candles burn, the wax will melt and take on the shape of the cookie cutter. As soon as you see that the votive has melted to below the level of the cookie cutter, blow out the candle. Using a pour pot or ladle, top off each candle with melted wax. This will make your candles smell good and prevent the wicks from your votives from burning away the next time you light them.

Option 2: If using the melted wax option, when the wax reaches pouring temperature (150 degrees for paraffin), or as soon as a film forms at the edge of the pan, pour into the molds. Carefully place the tea-light wicks into the wax. If desired, sprinkle the top of the wax with the colored sprinkles. They will stick to the wax and set to make your candles look even more like Christmas cookies. Add google eyes to reindeer, snowmen or Santa Claus after the wax has set slightly but is still warm. The eyes should stick in the wax with a little pressure.


Step Five: Remove From Molds

After candles harden (1/2 hour to 2 hours), lift them out by their wicks. If they resist, freeze until they pop out easily. Wipe candles clean with paper towels. Trim wicks, if necessary, to 1/4 inch before lighting. This will leave you with Christmas cookie-shaped candles that have already been decorated for the season.

Enjoy your new cookie cutter candles!!