You sometimes get candles where you think: Does this actually smell like what they say it smells like? There's undoubtedly a magic in how candles are made, and the ability to conjure recognizable scents from well-known fragrances — the smell of fresh cut grass, smoky fireside nights, a bouquet of fresh florals — but, while often, it's just the mixture of the right essential and synthetic fragrance oils that recreate it, home fragrance brand Snif has a clever trick up its sleeve to really capture an essence.
It's a technology called JUNGLE ESSENCE™, and the brand has just utilized it to turn those super viral gooey cookies from Stateside bakery Levain into a candle that really does smell like a fresh batch of its cookies. "In very scientific terms, the process for our Levain collaboration involved extracting a distillate directly from their iconic Chocolate Chip Walnut Cookie using supercritical fluid extraction," co-founder of Snif Bryan Edwards explained to me. "The result is a custom accord that captures the hyperrealistic scent of the cookie. This accord, layered with several other notes for depth, brings the authentic and comforting scent of a Levain bakery to your living room." Clever stuff.
It's a different approach to creating the best candle scents, for sure, and judging by the comments of people who have already picked up a candle from this just-launched collaboration, it works.
Burn time: 50 hours
If you're based in the UK, unfortunately, Snif candles are a little hard to get hold of, bar a small selection on Amazon; however, if you're a reader in the US, the collaboration just launched yesterday, and is available in an 8 oz. and 50 oz. size.
The home fragrance trend towards the smells of a bakery isn't a completely new phenomenon — gingerbread candles are common at Christmastime, and there's been a cupcake Yankee candle for as long as I can remember — but it's definitely shifted in candle culture to something more sophisticated.
It's less sweet and artificial, more about ritual and often tied — as with the Mornings at Levain candle — to morning baked goods such as croissants. "I think bakery-inspired scents tap into familiarity and comfort, which many people crave in their everyday spaces," Bryan muses. "They’re warm and instantly transportive, creating an atmosphere that feels welcoming and lived-in."
They're a sort of new category in the candle marketplace, and I question whether it's the newness of the idea that's really making more brands release bakery-inspired fragrances, but Bryan doesn't agree. "Beyond novelty, these scents reveal a desire for emotional connection in the home — fragrance that not only smells good but also evokes memory, coziness, and a sense of indulgence."
While I might not be able to get my hands on a Snif x Levain candle myself, I've found a whole load of candles that have the same to offer — a mindful moment that draws on your food memories, without having to dust off the stand mixer.
Like a full breakfast captured in a scent, this evocative candle, inspired by 'the cafe where Bach wrote Java Cantata', starts with top notes of coffee, 'almond kutchen and pastry', heart notes of tobacco and butter, and base notes of a smoky fireplace.
Diptyque once had a limited edition Cafe Verlot Biscuit scented candle I was always gutted to never have gotten hold of, but I just found this similar scent from Oliver Bonas which I think might be just as good.
I'm a big fan of Earl of East's slightly oddball approach to home fragrance, and this limited edition range dedicated to the smells of your breakfast table are a good example why. This one's 'croissant', but the brand also did an Americano and Matcha Latte.
You're likely to turn up a few festive scents in your hunt for bakery-themed candles, and this Panettone scent from Acqua di Parma has been re-released for 2026, with its citrussy top notes, panettone accord, and vanilla base.
I don't know a lot about this candle brand, but if you look up the reviews on Amazon, a lot of people have a lot of good things to say, especially about its bakery-inspired fragrances. You can even buy a gift set with its croissant, pain au chocolat, and danish pastry scented candles.
Search for a baguette candle, and 9 times out of 10 you'll find one in the shape of a baguette, but this one instance is like recreating the smell of breakfast in Paris. As one reviewer says "It brightens up my day every time I light it."
Anthropologie appears a few times in the list, bringing a bit of the American sensibility for breakfast goods to British stores. This one's a mix between morning coffee and sweet caramel stroop-waffle.
It's been a largely sickly sweet affair so fair, but for those with more savory longings, how about a candle that smells like focaccia bread with rosemary and olive oil that really does smell like "Italian bread cooking in the kitchen" according to one reviewer.
I've had this particular candle before, and I can tell you it's a strong scent, so while it's on the more expensive side, you won't be disappointed. Sweet, a little coconutty, but definitely with that fresh baking smell, too.
There's something definitely romantic about this fragrance trend, or maybe that's just the autumn-talking. I might, come springtime, not feel the same way about my living room smelling of cookies or bread in quite the same way, but as a way to layer autumnal scents into your home, this, for me, beats out a pumpkin spice candle any day.
