HEB Candles - Here's What They Really Smell Like

HEB just released a new line of scented candles to compliment fan-favorite store items, and people are really into it. My social posts blew up overnight in an awesome way I did not expect.

The butter tortilla candle is especially hot, but the question I keep seeing is, what do these candles actually smell like? Well, before you make your bestie pick up 6 candles and mail them to Oregon, let me give you the 411 on these scents.

#1 - Bakery Butter Tortilla

Is there anything more Texan than this candle? I mean, seriously. HEB really knows how to tap into their audience. But does it actually smell like a tortilla? The answer is... not to me. *Cries big Texas tears*

If I'm being honest, this candle smells like buttery popcorn from the movie theater. I've validated this opinion with several HEB staff that I made smell the candle, and numerous other HEB fans I've seen comment on my posts. My husband however, instantly thought it did smell like a tortilla. Just goes to show, smell is subjective. I hope you smell tortillas too.

#2 Blueberry Muffin

Listing blueberry muffin next, because I'm sure you all need a pick-me-up after my tortilla admission. Now, THIS candle smells exactly like what it says it does. I'm pregnant and I've been eating a lot of HEB blueberry mini muffins and I can 100% say this smells just like the real thing. It's kind of magical, to be honest. This is my favorite of the scents, if you have a choice of which one to order, choose this one.

#3 Cowboy Cookie

Sadly, the cowboy cookie candle was another disappointment for me. My mom has been baking cowboy cookies since I was a kid. They're unique because they have both white and brown sugar, chocolate chips, oatmeal, pecans, and coconut. I know the recipe by heart, and I also know the smell. It's all of those things at once plus a buttery finish, and this is not that.

What this candle does smell like, is chocolate. I would have said it's a chocolate bar candle in a blind smell test.

Now, maybe HEB is going for the smell of their specific cowboy cookies, which do not contain coconut and are of course a crunchy, store-bought variety. Okay, I can accept that but I was really hoping for an authentic cowboy cookie smell.

#4 Bakery Cinnamon Rolls

The cinnamon roll candle is another favorite of mine. I am usually not a baked good candle lover. I go straight for the florals and the sandalwood, but this candle is one I would definitely purchase (and have).

The scent is cinnamon, vanilla, and a hint of cinnamon roll, but nothing too overwhelming. It's a nice, warm scent that doesn't knock you over the head. Probably the only cinnamon roll candle I've ever smelled and loved.

#5 Homemade Vanilla

This candle was created to compliment HEB's creamy creations ice cream brand, and I really like the result. The scent is vanilla ice cream, and it pulls it off.

Often, I only smell butter when I smell vanilla candles. Am I alone in that? With this candle, I get less of a butter smell and more of a vanilla. Like the cinnamon roll, it's also not too overpowering or dessert-smelling.

#6 Two-Bite Brownies

The two-bite brownies are an HEB bakery classic and the smell here is pretty spot-on. Super chocolatey, like you'd expect. I've heard a couple of people say they like this one. I just think I'm not the target audience because I really hate chocolate candles. So for those of you that do, comment below and tell us what you think!

#7 Texas Wildflower Honey

I love that they included wildflower honey, even though this one is kind of the oddball compared to the other flavors. It's not a bakery item or a smell I associate with HEB, but it's a cool addition. The only issue is, I personally don't love it. It smells like a strong, fake honey scent to me. The HEB associate who was kind enough to smell a few candles and give me her opinion did however like this one, so I would say don't discredit it till ya smell it. Maybe you'll like it too.