I love a project that looks high-end but costs about the same as a coffee run, and these scalloped concrete harvest votives absolutely fit that category. By pouring wet cement into silicone muffin cups and using one simple pantry staple to create the candle well, you get a set of textured little holders that look like boutique fall décor. They work beautifully on a mantel, as part of a Thanksgiving table, or tucked onto a kitchen shelf once the weather starts turning cool.
As someone who is usually squeezing creative projects into a busy weeknight, I really appreciate that this one is straightforward and low-mess. If you've never worked with concrete before, this is a very forgiving place to start, and if you already love seasonal decorating, these are an easy way to add that cozy harvest feel without buying another plastic pumpkin.
Materials
Instructions
1. Set your silicone muffin cups on a cardboard-covered flat surface, then lightly coat the inside of each cup with a thin film of cooking oil so the concrete releases easily later.
2. Pour the cement mix into your bowl, add the water, and stir until it reaches the texture of thick pancake batter with no dry pockets left.
3. Divide the wet cement evenly between the 2 muffin cups, filling each one about halfway to two-thirds full, then tap the cups gently on the table to bring air bubbles to the surface.
4. Press a small mound of uncooked rice into the center of each cup to create a shallow well sized for a tealight, keeping the rice centered and leaving at least 1/2 inch of concrete around the edges.
5. Let the cement set undisturbed for the time listed on your mix, usually 2 to 4 hours, until the surface feels firm and cool but no longer soft.
6. Peel the silicone mold away from each votive, then pour out the rice and brush away any loose grains from the center well.
7. Smooth the bottom edge and rim lightly with 120-grit sandpaper if needed, using short gentle strokes so you keep the scalloped shape crisp.
8. Test-fit a tealight in each holder, and if the well is a little snug, sand the inside edge just enough for the candle to sit flat and lift out easily.
Variations & Tips
For a warmer finish: If plain gray concrete feels a little too industrial, dry-brush a tiny amount of cream or terracotta craft paint along the ridges once the pieces are fully cured.
For cleaner candle wells: If you want a more precise opening, press the bottom of a tealight cup lightly into the center right after adding the rice to check the size, then remove it before the concrete hardens.
For fall styling: I like grouping these with mini pumpkins, acorns, or a small wooden bead garland on my dining table because the concrete adds nice contrast to softer seasonal textures.
For safer use: Only use standard tealights that sit securely below the rim, and place the finished votives on a heat-safe surface whenever they are lit.
For batch making: If you're already mixing cement, go ahead and make 4 to 6 at once. I do this when I know I'll want a few for gifts, because the second round always goes faster than the first.