the Imperfectly Happy home

Vintage Skills

Homemade Ice Cream Recipes

by Leave a Comment

Homemade ice cream is a mixture of cream and/or milk, sugar, sometimes eggs and always a little home cooked magic! Sure you can buy just about any flavor of ice cream at your local grocery store; but there is something truly special about homemade ice cream. Not only the fresh rich flavors, but I love to customize it with my favorite mixtures of nuts or berries or both. I know the kids love cookies and cream ice cream or pieces of fudge mixed in.

31 homemade ice cream recipes

Now that summer is in full swing these homemade ice cream recipes will be a real treat. Try making some for your 4th of July celebration or bbq too!

Ice Cream Making Supplies:

  • Measuring Cups and Spoons
  • Cutting Board and Knife (especially for fruit based ice creams)
  • Mixing Bowls
  • Blender or Food Processor
  • Freezer Containers – make sure they are made to be in the freezer, like these.
  • Consider investing in a Waffle Cone & Bowl maker!

Do I Need an Ice Cream Maker?

You may be very surprised how easy it is to make ice cream at home. I have found that investing in a good ice cream maker has made it an even more enjoyable process. I now prefer my fully automatic ice cream maker but there are more budget friendly options as well.

31 Homemade Ice Cream Recipes

Classic Ice Cream Recipes

Grandma’s Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream – by The Crafting Chicks
Here is a classic ice cream flavor to get you started; easy to make and simply delicious! Homemade vanilla ice cream is the perfect base for adding in flavors too!

The Best Homemade Chocolate Ice Cream – by Ever After in the Woods
A family favorite! A simple, classic, homemade chocolate ice cream.

Old Fashioned Strawberry Ice Cream Recipe – by Self Proclaimed Foodie
Nothing says summer, to me, like a bowl of fresh strawberry ice cream.

Homemade Peppermint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream– by Let’s Dish
Mini chocolate chips and crushed peppermint candy add some holiday flavor and flare to classic vanilla ice cream.

Homemade Neapolitan Ice Cream – by Pioneer Woman
The ultimate 3-in-1 ice cream is the chocolate, vanilla, strawberry combination of a simple Neapolitan ice cream. This one is out of this world good!

Sweet Cream Ice Cream (Cold Stone Copycat) – by Reality Daydream
Homemade Ice Cream is a summer staple! This sweet cream recipe tastes exactly like the Cold Stone sweet cream ice cream favorite we’ve all grown to love!

Thin Mint Ice Cream – by A Pretty Happy Home
Inspired by classic girl scout cookies!

Nutty Ice Cream Recipes

Butter Pecan Ice Cream – by Simple Recipes
Homemade butter pecan ice cream, made with a custard base, browned butter, and toasted pecans.

Maple Walnut Ice Cream– by All Day I Dream About Food
This homemade maple ice cream recipe is Keto, sugar-free, and absolutely amazing.

Peanut Butter Cup Ice Cream– by Recipe Girl
A smooth and creamy peanut butter ice cream recipe with chunks of chocolate peanut butter cups mixed in.

Nutella Swirl Ice Cream – by House of Nash
Everyone’s favorite chocolate hazelnut spread makes an appearance in this Nutella Swirl Ice Cream!

Fruity Ice Cream Recipes

Homemade Mango Ice Cream– by Sandhya’s Kitchen
This mango ice cream combines just three ingredients together to bring together creamy delicious flavors.

Raspberry White Chocolate Ice Cream – by Searching for Spice
This white chocolate raspberry ice cream recipe is so good made in the ice cream maker. It’s easy to make and very popular with kids and adults.

Apple Pie Ice Cream – by Serious Eats
All the flavor of an apple pie without the hassle of making a crust or turning on the oven.

Peach Ice Cream – by Sustainable Cooks
Like a bowl full of summer, the Ultimate Homemade Peach Ice Cream recipe will blow your mind with flavor.

Lemon Ice Cream – by Grits and Pinecones
This homemade silky smooth and lemony ice cream is just the thing to help you cool off on a hot summer day!

Sugar-Free Blueberry Cheesecake Ice Cream– by Happy Kitchen
Easy sugar free blueberry cheesecake ice cream is a delicious dessert made from just 5 ingredients! This recipe can be used without an ice cream maker.

Fun Ice Cream Recipes with Mix-Ins

Oreo Ice Cream – by Sweetest Menu
Easy cookies and cream ice cream made with just four ingredients!

Pumpkin Cheesecake Ice Cream – by Mavis Butterfield
Pumpkin? Check. Cheesecake? Check. Ice Cream? Check. I can’t wrap my brain around all of the deliciousness packed into one recipe.

Homemade Coffee Ice Cream – by Baked by an Introvert
This Homemade Coffee Ice Cream is made just like old-fashioned ice cream! It starts with a custard that is blended with heavy cream and churned in an ice cream maker for a sensationally smooth and creamy dessert.

Brownie Fudge Swirl Ice Cream – by Life Made Simple
For extreme chocolate lovers only! This rich, decadent brownie fudge swirl ice cream is loaded with brownie chunks and swirled with hot fudge!

Coconut Ice Cream – by Keto Cooking Christian
A smooth, creamy and refreshing coconut ice cream made with coconut milk, extract, shredded coconut with a hint of lime zest! Keto-Friendly!

Honey Butter Shortbread Ice Cream – by Pampered Chef
Melted butter and honey are swirled into homemade ice cream with crunchy shortbread cookies mixed in.

Cake Batter Ice Cream – by Like Mother, Like Daughter
Cake batter ice cream is a delicious creamy ice cream treat that tastes just like cake batter! It’s perfect for birthdays, holidays, or just for a delicious treat!

No Churn Cinnamon Ice Cream – by Kitchen Swagger
Super creamy, egg-free, cinnamon ice cream that comes together in 15 minutes (plus freezing), without and ice cream machine.

Salted Caramel Ice Cream – by Life Currents
Homemade ice cream may be a bit of work, but it’s well worth the time and energy. Salted Caramel no longer has to be only a topping!

Churro Ice Cream – by Butternut Bakery
Easy no churn ice cream with baked churros, dulce de leche, homemade cinnamon ice cream and Mexican vanilla.

Green Tea Ice Cream – by Mildly Meandering
An easy summer dessert made with only 4 ingredients! This refreshing recipe is inspired by Japanese flavors and it’s so easy to make!

Moose Tracks Ice Cream – by Farm Girl Gourmet
A recipe for Homemade Moose Tracks Ice Cream. So easy to make and just as delicious as store bought, or better!

Kahlua and Cherry Ice Cream – by The Flavor Bender
You wouldn’t believe how addictively delicious this ice cream is, and that’s before you even get to the Kahula! Take it to the NEXT level and make your own Coffee Liqueur at home, see my recipe for homemade Kahula.

Smores Ice Cream – by Meatloaf and Melodrama
No-Churn Chocolate S’mores Ice Cream is loaded with graham crackers, chocolate chunks and mini marshmallows. You don’t need an ice cream maker to enjoy this easy summer treat!

Homemade ice cream has been loved and cherished throughout generations! Find your favorite from this list and create some new memories making and sharing ice cream with your family. These recipes are easy, delicious and fun to recreate. Enjoy!

Home Economic Skills to Teach Your Kids

by Leave a Comment

Running a household is not that easy. It’s more than just keeping a home nice and tidy. Learning how to cook, clean, and be a domestic engineer of sorts requires skill and patience. You should not be doing it all on your own, however. Even the youngest children can help with cooking, cleaning, and other household chores. Here are five home economic skills to teach your kids that will set them up for a lifetime of success in and outside your home.

Home Economic Skills to Teach Your Kids

5 Home Economic Skills
to Teach Your Kids

Cooking

Teaching your kids simple cooking skills like measurements and proportions, safe food preparation, and following recipes are essential for young people to know to survive on their own (eventually) and stay healthy. I like to think of the home economic skills they learn growing up not only as things that benefit our household but will serve them well moving forward.

Simple recipes using ground beef, vegetables, and chicken will help your children learn how to make food from scratch. Cooking with fresh ingredients is healthy and will save you money!

Also See: The Importance of Cooking from Scratch

Meal Planning

To go along with cooking, it’s important to teach your children how to plan for meals. Teach them how to use a tool like Real Plans or sit down with them and plan out breakfast, lunch, and dinner on paper or in a planner. Meal prepping one day a week can help you and your family save time. Preparing the ingredients, freezing meals when necessary, and having the proportions correct will help your children get involved and your meal times run smoothly.

Budgeting

Money may not seem like a relevant topic for young people not contributing to the household finances, but it’s never too early to help your children understand how to save and what to spend money on. Being self-sufficient and living off what we have at home is helpful, but it’s good to let the kids know that everything isn’t “free”. There are utilities and household expenses to pay. Without revealing your whole financial status, you can start by teaching your kids ways to make money and help them set up their own budget.

It is also essential that kids learn how to balance a checkbook! I know checks are not used as often today as in the past but balancing your accounts is still very important. Programs like Quicken are fantastic and there are also phone apps that can been very helpful.

Also See: Budget Saving Tips for Groceries

Laundry

Having your children be responsible for their own laundry can be helpful in running your household efficiently and giving them an added responsibility. Teach them how to use the washer, separate colors, and use proper cycles as well as which clothes to machine dry, lay flat, and hang dry. Since we teach our children vintage skills, doing laundry by hand is something I have insisted that my children know. It’s a great skill to have to prepare in case gas or electricity is not available, and it saves money!

Also See: Clothesline Drying Like a Boss! and DIY Laundry Detergent

Household Cleaning

Teaching your children to keep a house neat and tidy starts with modeling the behavior. It may help to set up a cleaning schedule and give your children a list of tasks to complete. Sweeping, vacuuming, dusting, scrubbing counters, mopping floors, and doing dishes are just a few important tasks that make a household run smoothly. Every member of the household should be responsible for some chores, and keeping a clean house is a major part of these duties. Lastly, make sure your kids know how to properly make a bed. See: How to Make a Bed in 12 Steps

Other Home Economic Skills to Teach

  • Gardening to grow food
  • Sewing and mending
  • Basic car maintenance (or at the very least WHEN to have maintenance done)
  • Building a food pantry and canning
  • How to do yearly taxes
  • Manners

Children need to understand and practice vintage skills as much as adults need to model them. These five home economic skills to teach your kids are essential for any family, especially the modern homesteading family. Practice these skills at home with your own children.

Whatever home economic skills you decide to teach in your home, your kids will be ahead of the game and more prepared than most these days. Sadly home economics is rarely taught in the public school system and many parents are not teaching them either; but we still need them.

What home economic skills do you teach your children?

Basic Manners for Modern Kids

by 5 Comments

Basic manners for modern kids has been on my mind a lot. I have raised 4 children, 2 nieces and several foster children over the years. I can tell you each and every one of the kids that lived in my home were taught basic manners (and some additional ones too).

One thing people comment on the most with my kids, especially my youngest who is 13, is how polite they are. This didn’t just happen! I not only taught manners, I modeled them. Both modern kids and adults seem to have lost the art of being polite.

basic manners for modern kids

Now maybe manners were never a thing YOU were taught so you struggle to know what is appropriate to teach your kids (and teens). I have a basic manners for modern kids list that will help you.

Basic Manners for Modern Kids

Basic Manners for Modern Kids

This lists are my top basic manners that need to still be practiced and taught to kids, teens and sometimes to adults.

basic etiquette for kids
  1. Say please, thank you and you’re welcome. Practice using them in your family, then they’ll be 2nd nature when they are out and about.
  2. Hold the door open. This is NOT just for boys. If someone is coming in or out at the same time as your kid, encourage them to hold the door.
  3. Make eye contact!!! For the love of Pete, we need to teach our children to look people in the face and make eye contact during conversation. Frankly, I know a lot of adults that could use this skill to.
  4. A firm handshake – teach both girls and boys how to greet with a firm handshake. I know “the hug” is really modern and that’s great; but let’s not forget how to greet a stranger.
  5. Table manners (let’s start eating at a table again). Too many of us are eating in front of the TV or computer these days. How can you teach table manners like that!
  6. Send a thank you note. Let me be honest, this was something I didn’t do as a younger woman. But there is so much to be said for a handwritten note or card to thank someone. Teach it! Live it! See The Lost Art of Letter Writing.
  7. Learn how to use the phrase, “excuse me”. Do you need someone’s attention? Do you need to interrupt a conversation? Wait patiently and use the words, “excuse me”. This is also one to use when you bump into someone by accident.
  8. Knock on closed doors, not just locked ones. I know this seems so obvious but I’m telling you, it isn’t for everyone.
  9. Ask how you can help. When you are at someone’s house or out and about in life, look for opportunities to offer help and service. For example after a meal at someone’s house, offer to do the dishes!
  10. Stand to show respect. Not going to go into a huge diatribe here but this is a life skill everyone seems to be lacking these days.
  11. Show respect to your elders. Most of them have earned it! Now this will vary by culture and even location, so I’ll leave that up to you.
  12. Addressing people by their names. Ok, first off children should be taught to use Miss / Mrs / Mr followed by last name always when addressing an adult. Not until said adult has asked to be called by a first name or another version should that be used. This is also a form of respect.

What are some basic etiquette kids need?

Etiquette is defined as the customary code of polite behavior in society or among members of a particular profession or group.

manners at the dinner table

My list of basic manners had to include basic etiquette. These are based on the past and current standards in the USA. You can adjust for your country and culture. I’m mainly covering table etiquette which is sorely lacking these days.

  1. Put your napkin on your lap at the start of a meal.
  2. Don’t start eating until everyone has their food.
  3. Keep your crap off the table (purses, keys, cell phones, feet, etc.)
  4. Chew with your mouth shut.
  5. Don’t talk with your mouth full.
  6. On that note, take small bites – if you have to open your mouth unnaturally to take a bite , it is TOO BIG!
  7. Push your chair in when you leave the table, even if you’re coming back.
  8. Ask for things to be passed – do not reach over people to grab things on the table.

See Top Table Manners by Emily Post

Basic Social Skills to Teach Your Kids

Social skills are in serious lack, along with manners.

basic manners kids need
  • BE ON TIME! BE ON TIME EVERY TIME. Being late is rude, selfish and self-serving. If you know that YOU have a problem with it, your kids probably will too. Treat other people’s time with respect and arrive a little early.
  • Foul language and curse words are not appropriate in public and that includes social media. Look I’m not trying to be preachy or a prude but you need to think about how that is perceived by others and younger children.
  • Not looking at your phone, computer, tablet, smart watch, etc when someone is talking to you.
  • Teach your kids stranger danger but also teach them to have a decent conversation with safe adults. Most kids mumble, don’t make eye contact and do not participate in a volley of conversation with adults (see above).
  • Don’t interrupt.
  • Be an active listener – meaning give verbal or physical cues that you are actually listening.
  • Learn to “fight fair”. No I am not talking about fist fighting here. I mean that today most people think having a verbal debate is equal to hatred. We need to teach our kids to have debates or even heated conversations without making it or taking it personally.
  • It is OK not to want to hug someone. Ok this one isn’t basic but I feel I need to include it. I see WAY too many parents forcing physical affection on their kids with distant relatives, friends, even close family members. If your kid doesn’t want to hug or kiss someone, it is ok. Teach them to be secure in saying NO to unwanted physical touch. Your family and friends will get over it when a firm handshake, eye contact and verbal acknowledgement is there.

Ok I think I’ve probably given you enough of, what I consider, basic manners for kids (teens and adults too). I hope you’re already doing this and it won’t be too overwhelming.

Do you think I missed anything? Let me know if the comments!

You might also like Vintage Skills Modern Kids Need

Vintage Cake Recipes

by Leave a Comment

Vintage cake recipes that you’ll still want to make today! I love all things vintage, and vintage recipes (or old fashioned recipes) are no exception. I think the art of cooking from scratch needs to preserved now and for our future generations. I don’t fault anyone for convenience cooking from time to time but nothing tastes as good, or makes you prouder than presenting a handmade / homemade meal or dessert you’ve prepared start to finish.

vintage cake recipes

Vintage Cake Recipes

Before we get to vintage cake recipes you might also want to check out these articles:

Vintage Pie Recipes

Vintage Cookie Recipes

10 Reasons to Cook From Scratch

Vintage Cooking Skills for Today

How to bake a cake at home?

If you’ve never baked a cake, without a pre-made mix, it can feel really intimidating. But don’t be! People have been baking from scratch long before super markets existed; you CAN do this! I have a few tips for baking a perfect cake, using vintage cake recipes, or any homemade cake recipe.

Tips for Baking a Perfect Cake

Grease Your Pan

I know this seems like common knowledge but when you are not accustomed to baking or baking from scratch, you might need a reminder.

Use Parchment Paper

Even when you grease your pan, you should still line it with parchment paper (NOT WAX PAPER). You’ll never have another cake stick!
I prefer this unbleached and chlorine- free brand.

Use Fresh Ingredients

You want to know how to make a good and tasty cake at home? The best thing you can do is use fresh ingredients! Old, stale ingredients don’t just taste off, they won’t perform in recipes the way you expect (like batter not rising!).

Pre-Heat Your Oven

Fully pre-heat your oven. I do this before I even get my ingredients out. You might also want to test your oven temperatures to make sure your oven is reaching (not under or over) the temperature you’ve set.

To test your oven temperature hand an oven thermometer from the center or middle rack and pre-heat your oven to 350 ˚F. Allow the oven to heat up for about 20 – 25 minutes. Then take a temperature reading from the thermometer. Then take temperature readings again every 20 – 25 mins for 60 – 90 minutes total. Take your readings and average them out to see how calibrated your oven is to the temperature you’ve set.

Don’t Change the Ingredients

Ok, I’m not saying you shouldn’t change ingredients to your liking but I don’t advise that in the beginning. Especially if you are new to baking and/or you’re using a recipe for the first time. Try recipes as they are written first and then change up as needed to your tastes and desired outcome.

Don’t Change the Measurements

This is very important! These recipes have been used and re-used for decades. Don’t play with the measurements because you may get a cake you really don’t want to eat or share. Unless you’re an experience baker, just follow the vintage cake recipes as they are written. This includes using the pan size called for in the recipe/s.

What is the easiest and quickest cake recipe?

Well easy and quick vintage cake recipes aren’t really “a thing”. You’re going to have to put some time into baking; but I promise it will be worth it. As you do more homemade baking you’ll find you can move through it faster and with ease.

What is your favorite vintage cake recipe?

I have to be honest, I don’t eat cake anymore. I have been Keto for almost 2 years. You can see more about that here. But prior to changing my way of eating Old Fashioned Butter Cake with Chocolate Frosting was my absolute favorite, for just about every occasion. Well this isn’t entirely true, I make homemade cakes, occasionally, that fit into my Keto lifestyle.

vintage cake recipes
5 from 1 vote
Print

Grandma’s Vintage Butter Cake Recipe

Ingredients

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour sifted
  • 1 1/4 cup pure cane sugar
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup butter softened
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 1.5 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 2 eggs

Instructions

  1. Pre-heat your oven to 350˚F.

    Grease two 8 inch x 2 inch baking pans (lining with parchment paper is recommended).

    In a large mixing bowl sift together the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt.

    Add butter, whole milk, and vanilla.

    Using a hand mixer, beat for 2 – 3 minutes, be sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula.

    Add eggs and beat for 1 – 2 minutes more.

    Pour batter into prepared pans, dividing equally between the pans.

    Bake 30 to 35 minutes

    Test for doneness with a toothpick inserted in the middle, if it comes out clean, it’s done.

    Remove from oven.

    Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for 10 – 15 minutes

    Remove the cakes from the pans and continue cooling on racks, completely.

    Once cakes are completely cooled, frost with homemade chocolate frosting; or the frosting of your choice.

    Makes 2 single layer or one double layer cake.

More Delicious Vintage Cake Recipes

Here are some more amazing old fashioned, cook for scratch, cake recipes for you to try at home.

Tomato Soup Spice Cake – this recipe dates back to the 1920s or 1930s, depending on who you ask. And it calls for good ‘ol tomato soup. Don’t knock it until you try it!

Old Fashioned Peanut Butter Sheet Cake – the perfect pot luck cake.

Watergate Cake – we make Watergate salad in my family but this vintage cake recipe for the 1970s takes that to the next level.

Buffalo Cake with Lemon Honey – Circa 1914, this is probably not one you’ve tried before!

Old Fashioned Poor Man’s Cake Recipe – thought to originate from the Great Depression (see Great Depression Recipes)

Pig Pickin’ Cake – The perfect picnic cake. This one does use a yellow cake mix, so less homemade than the others.

Old Fashioned Carrot Cake Recipe – original recipe is dated 1957!

Great Depression Era Chocolate Cake – this cake is made without eggs, milk or butter which were not readily available during the Great Depression.

Nana’s Red Earth Cake Recipe – you know when Nanas are cooking, it is going to be good!

Queen Elizabeth Cake Recipe – said to date but to Queen Elizabeth the 1st!

Old Fashioned Prune Cake Recipe – don’t let the prunes run you off. This is a vintage Southern recipe you’ll want to try.

Sweet Potato Pound Cake – a twist on a vintage cake classic.

I hope you have to opportunity to make one or all of these amazing vintage cake recipes. They continue to stand the test of time and should be passed down for generations to come.

Other Articles on Vintage Skills

15 Vintage Skills You Can Learn on YouTube

10 More Vintage Skills We Need in the Modern World

Vintage Skills Your Kids Need

The Slow Death of Vintage Skills

How to Make Candles

by Leave a Comment

How to make candles at home, lots of ideas for you to choose from. Making candles is a great craft to learn and one of those vintage skills that we should keep alive. There are so many different ways to handcraft your candles, some easier than others. I hope you’ll find one of the methods I’ve included fun for yourself or as a project for the kids.

how to make candles

How to Make Candles at Home

Is it cheaper to make homemade candles than buy them?

This is a hard one to answer. Yes, it CAN save you money to make candles at home yourself. This will depend greatly on the types of candles you want to make and what materials you already have available. I think the initial investment into candle making materials is the real expense. You can, however, consider making candles from recycled materials to save money. But the real considerations are using quality materials that you are burning in your home, learning the art of candle making and being able to customize the candles to your home or tastes.

One of the biggest benefits to making your own candles is you’ll avoid toxic materials in many store bought candles.

Toxins in Candles

What are the best ways to make candles at home?

There are so many different ways to make candles and I don’t think one is better than the other. As you try different methods and materials you’ll probably decide you like making certain types of candles more than others. I tend to make a lot of mason jar candles, because I can make them quickly and people love them.

What materials are used to make candles?

Basic candle making supplies would include:

  • Candle Wax
  • Containers
  • Candle Wicks
  • Dedicated Pot for Melting Was
  • Optional, Scents and Colorings

Candle Making Safety

Like almost any DIY project you need to take a few safety precautions before you starting your candle making.

  • Make your candles in a well-ventilated area, especially when using fragrances. I recommend opening a window in your work area.
  • Always work on a flat surface.
  • Having a dedicated area for candle making is best but if you have to work at a kitchen table be sure to protect it from getting hot wax and material on it. I use a plastic tablecloth.
  • Protect yourself from hot wax. This is not the best barefoot activity, take it from me. You may want to consider wearing gloves when working with the hot wax.
  • Always have a fire extinguisher available. I’ve never had to use it but you’re working with hot materials, so it is just a good idea.
  • Do not put liquid wax down the drain – you’ll be buying new pipes if you do!
  • Never leave hot materials unattended!

Easy Mason Jar Candles 

mason jar candles

Mason Jar candles are a perfect beginner’s candle. They are easy to make, take very little supplies and you can customize them in size, colors, materials, etc. People love the mason jar candles that I’ve given as gifts so I like to keep some on hand, just for gift giving. You can make a lot of these candles at one time, fast. Mason jar candles also store very well for emergencies.

Step by Step – How to Make Mason Jar Candles

How to Make Pillar Candles

A pillar candle is generally a candle made of hard wax that can stand alone, not in a container. These pillar candles can be made in a variety of sizes and shapes. They take a bit more skill in making candles that ones in a container. I recommend waiting until you’ve made a few container candles to try your hand at pillar.s

See: How to Make Pillar Candles

Making Beeswax Candles

You can use beeswax to make lots of different candles, like the mason jars above. It is a much more natural material to use and people have been making beeswax candles for generations.

How to Make All Natural Beeswax Candles with Molds

How to Make Tallow Candles

Tallow candles are candles made from rendering beef fat. If you are really into learning vintage skills then you should render your own beef fat for tallow before making candles. It should be noted that tallow candles have a scent that not everyone appreciates so make just a few your first time.

How to Render Beef Fat for Tallow

How to Make Beef Tallow Candles

Making Soy Candles 

Soy candles are made from wax derived form soybean oil. Soy wax candles are generally made in containers but if you mix it with other materials than can be made into pillars as well.

What are the benefits of a soy candle? Well they are said to be cleaner to burn than traditional candles. They also can last much longer than paraffin wax candles. Because soy wax has little to no scent this makes it perfect for making scented candles.

How to Make Essential Oil Scented Soy Candles

Making Candles from Recycled Materials

Did you know you can make new candles from old candles you’re no longer using? There are actually a few recycled candles you can make fairly easily!

How to make new candles from old candles

Another fun recycled candle project is to make some candles from old crayons. These make great teacher’s gifts too!

How to make candles from old crayons

How to Make Candles with Kids

A candle making project can be something fun to do with the kids as a craft or homeschooling lesson (think about the science of candle making and history of candle making). Of course you want to take ALL the safety precautions listed above first; and never leave a child alone with hot wax!

The first candle I ever made was in Girl Scouts! It was an ice candle made in an old milk carton. I kept that for years and couldn’t bring myself to burn my candle because I was so proud of it.

Find a fun candle making project that the whole family will enjoy!

Instructions on How to Make An Ice Candle

How to Make Milk Carton Candles at Home

Granulated Wax Candle Making Instructions

How do I start a candle making business from home?

If you really love making candles you might want to consider doing it for profit. It could make a nice part time income doing something you already enjoy.

  • You can try selling on etsy or ebay
  • Sell candles at your local farmer’s market (you may be able to share a table with someone else)
  • See if a local shop would be willing to sell your handmade candles for a share of the profits
  • Put a listing on Craigslist or in the Facebook Marketplace

Happy candle making my friends!