<figure> <img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/_spOOZxMKF9XlEsoSH_Tm-SlnHU=/200x0:1400x900/1310x983/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73913242/Food_Shaped_Candles.0.jpg" /> <figcaption>Eater Staff</figcaption> </figure> <p>These trompe l’oeil wax creations look so delicious you might not even want to light them, from hyperrealistic fried chicken to a highly convincing pizza</p> <p id="QgV8CP">Along with <a href="https://www.eater.com/24094642/sourdough-bread-trending-again">sourdough starters</a> and <a href="https://www.today.com/tmrw/spray-foam-furniture-new-home-decor-trend-t190813">DIY spray foam mirrors</a>, food-shaped candles were another one of the serotonin-sustaining items that helped get us through 2020. Often found in the form of <a href="https://www.amazon.com/HouseAid-Decorative-Scented-Handmade-Colorful/dp/B0C3B4LWSX?tag=eater0c-20" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">donuts</a>, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Avocado-Decorateive-Candles-Decorations-Candles/dp/B0CZ4B868P/ref=sr_1_6?tag=eater0c-20" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">avocados</a>, <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516589&amp;xs=1&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.etsy.com%2Flisting%2F1583510721%2Fcroissant-candle-food-candle-natural-soy%3F&amp;referrer=eater.com&amp;sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.eater.com%2F24367891%2Frealistic-food-shaped-candles" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">croissants</a>, these kitsch but lifelike candles represented the usual smorgasbord of millennial pop culture foods. But post-pandemic, food-shaped candles have evolved into a feast of increasingly realistic and diverse creations that are almost too pretty to burn (although, I can say from experience that it is delightful to light up these <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516589&amp;xs=1&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fcomingsoonnewyork.com%2Fproducts%2Fthe-asparagus-bunch%3F&amp;referrer=eater.com&amp;sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.eater.com%2F24367891%2Frealistic-food-shaped-candles" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">asparagus-shaped taper candles</a> at dinner time). </p> <p id="cdTf8m">There is just something about seeing a hyperrealistic piece of home decor in the form of a wax radish or bell pepper that scratches the <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516589&amp;xs=1&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.etsy.com%2Flisting%2F1257999957%2Fthe-seasons-by-giuseppe-arcimboldo%3F&amp;referrer=eater.com&amp;sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.eater.com%2F24367891%2Frealistic-food-shaped-candles" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Giuseppe Arcimboldo</a>-shaped part of our brain. Pairing the fleeting beauty of food with the enduring presence of a design <em>objet</em> is a cheeky reflex long observed in tableware, i.e. <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516589&amp;xs=1&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.williams-sonoma.com%2Fproducts%2Fbordallo-pinheiro-cabbage-charger%2F%3F&amp;referrer=eater.com&amp;sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.eater.com%2F24367891%2Frealistic-food-shaped-candles" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">cabbage ware majolica</a>, as well as in fashion via the cornucopia-like hats of <a href="https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/156163">Schiaparelli</a>, the trompe d’oiel vegetable accessories by <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516589&amp;xs=1&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.wallpaper.com%2Ffashion-beauty%2Floewe-aw-2024-beaded-vegetable-accessories&amp;referrer=eater.com&amp;sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.eater.com%2F24367891%2Frealistic-food-shaped-candles" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Loewe</a>, countless food-inspired offerings from Moschino (remember the<a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516589&amp;xs=1&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fposhmark.com%2Flisting%2FMoschino-authentic-milkshake-handbag-jeremy-Scott-Mcdonalds-cup-bag-2014-6602a8d6955a4b631c0416a7&amp;referrer=eater.com&amp;sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.eater.com%2F24367891%2Frealistic-food-shaped-candles" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank"> McDonald’s collection</a> and that <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516589&amp;xs=1&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.moschino.com%2Fau_en%2Fsedano-bag-green-aef2422-731082231418%3F&amp;referrer=eater.com&amp;sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.eater.com%2F24367891%2Frealistic-food-shaped-candles" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">celery purse</a>?), the viral cookie bag from <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516589&amp;xs=1&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fpuppetsandpuppets.com%2Fcollections%2Fhandbags%2Fproducts%2Fsmall-cookie-bag&amp;referrer=eater.com&amp;sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.eater.com%2F24367891%2Frealistic-food-shaped-candles" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Puppets &amp; Puppets</a>, and beyond. If it looks good enough to eat, it’s begging to be made more permanent in the form of a purse, dish, or more recently, a candle. </p> <p id="ZPN2CN">Love romanesco? <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516589&amp;xs=1&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.freepeople.com%2Fshop%2Fromanesco-candle%2F%3F&amp;referrer=eater.com&amp;sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.eater.com%2F24367891%2Frealistic-food-shaped-candles" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">There’s a candle for that</a>. Extending your <a href="https://www.eater.com/24194448/trompe-loeil-tomato-dishes-loewe-trend">tomato girl summer</a> into winter 2025? There’s a candle for that, too (to say nothing of the <a href="https://www.elle.com.au/life/home/tomato-candle-trend/">tomato-scented candle discourse</a>). Brands such as <a href="https://www.johnderian.com/collections/cereria-introna-cake-candles">Cereria Introna</a> and <a href="https://gohar.world/">Gohar World</a> — the sister-run NYC atelier that made those <a href="https://www.eater.com/2025/2/7/24361208/julia-fox-gohar-world-gloves">dishwashing gloves Julia Fox wore to the Grammys</a> — also deserve a special shoutout in the field of stunning <em>trompe l’oeil</em> food candles: </p> <div id="yodMdK"> <blockquote class="instagram-media"><div style="padding: 16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C4OK5U7SQIF/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style="line-height: 0; padding: 0 0; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; width: 100%;" target="_blank"> <div style="display: flex;"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex;"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"></div> <div style="display: flex; margin-bottom: 14px;"> <div> <div></div> <div></div> <div></div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div> <div></div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div></div> <div></div> <div></div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; height: 14px; width: 144px;"></div> </div></a><p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; white-space: nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C4OK5U7SQIF/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">A post shared by Gohar World (@gohar.world)</a></p> </div></blockquote> </div> <p id="Eqzf9X">Below, you’ll find the coolest food-shaped candles in four categories: the sweet, the savory, the farmers market haul (fruits and vegetables), and drinks. Grab your <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516589&amp;xs=1&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fedie-parker.com%2Fproducts%2Fcherry-jelly-tabletop-lighter%3F&amp;referrer=eater.com&amp;sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.eater.com%2F24367891%2Frealistic-food-shaped-candles" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Edie Parker jelly lighter</a>, and let’s stock up (and light up). </p> <h2 id="hZbS4r"><strong>The Sweet </strong></h2> <p id="BflQnS">I especially enjoy giving friends cake-shaped candles as birthday presents, but you really don’t need an occasion to treat yourself to one of the beauties. I recommend buying a few, and keeping them on-hand for next year’s White Elephant parties. </p> <p id="HHrxmb"><strong>For the friend who always wants to go to the Cheesecake Factory </strong></p> <div id="z7zQ3H"><div></div></div> <hr class="p-entry-hr" id="PzBB0K" /> <p id="oslX1b"><strong>For the person who keeps Ladurée tins</strong></p> <div id="nsBXZG"><div></div></div> <hr class="p-entry-hr" id="OhwWW2" /> <p id="wP6wCt"><strong>This Italian-made cake bite candle</strong></p> <div id="RN6DqZ"><div></div></div> <hr class="p-entry-hr" id="hGFU65" /> <p id="pHOCKf"><strong>An homage to your favorite cereals</strong></p> <div id="8XtDNg"><div></div></div> <hr class="p-entry-hr" id="xbQtHB" /> <p id="NTO5IJ"><strong>For the friend who’s addicted to cake-decorating TikToks</strong></p> <div id="6hEe5q"><div></div></div> <hr class="p-entry-hr" id="5YG4oi" /> <h2 id="QdNSDV"><strong>The Savory </strong></h2> <p id="JKjHhn">Food-shaped candles now resemble not just <a href="https://www.johnderian.com/products/sausage-link-candle">sausages</a>, <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516589&amp;xs=1&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fcomingsoonnewyork.com%2Fproducts%2Fcheese-candle%3F&amp;referrer=eater.com&amp;sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.eater.com%2F24367891%2Frealistic-food-shaped-candles" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">cheese</a>, and other pantry staples, but entire smorgasbords of snack foods, fried chicken bundles, and plenty of pasta-shaped candles.</p> <p id="o27RhB"><strong>A whole picnic basket full of candles</strong></p> <div id="bILiNO"><div></div></div> <p id="SB38lG"><strong>A hot dog, fries, and more on the side</strong></p> <div id="TuB2u0"><div></div></div> <hr class="p-entry-hr" id="wARmSZ" /> <p id="KZFOgH"><strong>A tempting pepperoni pizza</strong></p> <div id="fygfo5"><div></div></div> <hr class="p-entry-hr" id="HNgZ8S" /> <p id="OvcTF7"><strong>The fried-chicken fan </strong></p> <div id="ZNo5Kn"><div></div></div> <hr class="p-entry-hr" id="TzR7br" /> <p id="bKAPv5"><strong>Snack mix for movie night</strong></p> <div id="fqKVLW"><div></div></div> <hr class="p-entry-hr" id="L2bWTE" /> <p id="LdzmAA"><strong>You dream of bucatini </strong></p> <div id="Ism0Fw"><div></div></div> <hr class="p-entry-hr" id="YRwqAY" /> <p id="PeyDpE"><strong>Ode to farfalle </strong></p> <div id="2nM7eI"><div></div></div> <hr class="p-entry-hr" id="jujzHT" /> <h2 id="rhEnBj"><strong>The Fruits and Vegetables </strong></h2> <p id="mVL6y9">The <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516589&amp;xs=1&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.etsy.com%2Flisting%2F1036823729%2Favocado-candle-soy-wax-and-beeswax%3F&amp;referrer=eater.com&amp;sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.eater.com%2F24367891%2Frealistic-food-shaped-candles" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">avocado candle</a> walked so that the romanesco candle could run. Fruit- and vegetable-shaped candles are looking more hyper-specific than ever, and sure would look cute on a kitchen shelf. </p> <p id="h6q5qt"><strong>You love ‘Pee-Wee’s Playhouse’ </strong></p> <div id="bve5Bz"><div></div></div> <hr class="p-entry-hr" id="Gnj18g" /> <p id="h99RJs"><strong>An homage to romanesco </strong></p> <div id="wDYF90"><div></div></div> <hr class="p-entry-hr" id="j6VLHw" /> <p id="PGMpnR"><strong>Asparagus taper candle substitutes </strong></p> <div id="jfgmVM"><div></div></div> <hr class="p-entry-hr" id="IC8TGr" /> <p id="VatVgM"><strong>Halfway to a caprese</strong></p> <div id="kbwoqC"><div></div></div> <hr class="p-entry-hr" id="X4TYDC" /> <p id="xHxtcZ"><strong>You double the garlic in every recipe</strong></p> <div id="wHhLDS"><div></div></div> <p id="IG2FFb"><strong>You’re corny </strong></p> <div id="sezx3i"><div></div></div> <hr class="p-entry-hr" id="tiNPXy" /> <h2 id="UjtCYn"><strong>Beverages </strong></h2> <p id="eRSJuP">You’re going to need a drink-shaped candle to wash down those flammable fried chicken pieces, after all. Champagne and coffee take center stage here (and how nice that there’s nothing to uncork?). </p> <p id="Yx0L91"><strong>You have something to celebrate</strong></p> <div id="aDecRs"><div></div></div> <hr class="p-entry-hr" id="jZSuos" /> <p id="S53Qjj"><strong>For the espresso martini devotee</strong></p> <div id="iaA1q1"><div></div></div> <hr class="p-entry-hr" id="88VL62" /> <aside id="JgKsM6"><div></div></aside>