Spicy Holiday Incense Pellets: A Recipe for Great Scents

What better way to infuse your home with the scent of the holidays than by cooking a great big meal?

Incense, of course.

Blending the right ingredients, you can make your very own incense pellets that bring the flavor of Christmas and Thanksgiving to your home. While they take a little more work than simply buying store-bought incense, you'll find that your handmade products make great gifts and are super high-uality.

To make these delightful incense pellets, you will need a mortar and pestle, along with the following ingredients:

1 part Cinnamon bark

1 part Cloves

1 part Pine

2 parts Vanilla

2 parts Myrrh

1 part Balsam

Honey

The amounts you use will depend on the amount of incense you wish to make, which is why I have given only parts here.

Use your mortar and pestle to first grind the cinnamon, vanilla and cloves into a very fine powder and set aside. Pine can be difficult to grind in a mortar and pestle, you may need to use a coffee grinder instead. First chop it into small pieces, then put it through the grinder. The last ingredients to be ground should be the resins, myrrh and balsam. These tend to be sticky and may clog up your equipment.

Once you have all the ingredients assembled, mix the powders together. It's a good idea to let them sit for a day or two, so the different aromas can intermingle. This allows for a stronger smell when burning.

Now, drizzle honey over the powder, about 1 teaspoon for every ¾ cup. It's important to use pure honey, don't use mixes, for the best quality burn. Knead everything together with your fingers and then form little pellets by rolling small chunks of the mixture between your fingers. Spread the incense pellets out on a tray or baking sheet and store in a warm place, not in a sunny location. Turn the pellets on a daily basis so they dry evenly.

It can take up to two weeks for incense pellets to dry, depending on the humidity. Once they have finished drying, store them in a jar in a dark place so the aroma stays intact. They can be aged for up to a year to make the smell more intense, if you like.

To enjoy your incense pellets, you will need an incense heater. This can be as simple as a dish set over a candle, with a small handful of pellets in the dish. As they heat, they will release a lovely scent, making your home feel like the holidays. And you can also give them as beautiful gifts.