Over time, cookie jars have become a classic element in home décor. These days, of course, they’re not as quirky-looking as they used to be. Today’s cookie jars are now completely see-through, letting you display your treats in a way that’s both visually pleasing and incredibly appetizing. Happily, though, you don’t need fancy oversized jars like Khloé Kardashian to nail the look. Trust us when we say that old candle jars can look just as high-end. All you need to do is thoroughly clean out the wax and de-stink the glass so that your delicious cookies don’t end up tasting like candle.

This easy trick lets you decorate your kitchen to make it feel more designer, using what you already have. To get started, grab a trio of candle jars. Any regular one with a lid will do, but the larger the container, the more goodies you can fit in it. It’s also worth pointing out that you can only use mini cookies for this display. Other than that, you’ll need freezer space or a candle warmer, some boiling water, cooking oil, salt, and baking soda to prep the jars. Feel free to personalize them however you like, whether it’s spray painting the lids (except for the inner part) or adding some ribbon for a cutesy touch.

The first, and most important step, is to remove the candle wax from its container so you can reuse the jar. Freeze your candles until they’re fully hardened, which can take at least three hours. Then, tap the jar top-down on a hard surface to loosen the wax from the glass. A butter knife may come in handy as a backup in case the wax doesn’t pop out easily. If you’d prefer to go a different route, other options include pouring boiled water into the jar or using a candle warmer to melt the wax all the way through for easy removal.

Once that’s done, tackle any remaining residue with a paper towel coated in cooking oil before washing the jars (and their lids) thoroughly in warm, soapy water. Bear in mind that wax doesn’t dissolve in water and the last thing you want is to take a bite out of your cookie and taste candle instead. Despite your cleaning efforts, a waxy scent might still linger, which brings us to the last, and most pivotal step: Deodorizing. 

Scrub the insides and lid with a bit of coarse salt using a small dish brush or a scouring sponge. Repeat again, but with baking soda. Always give the salt and baking soda a minute or two to work and make sure you scrub every corner of the jar, including the lid. Next, fill the jar with boiling water, leaving it to rest for another 10 minutes. And finally, close the jar, shake it up well, rinse everything out, dry with a clean cloth, and add your mini cookies.