“I want to smell like a vanilla cake”, “like a crème brûlée”, “like a biscuit just out of the oven”… On social networks, perfume desires take on the appearance of a pastry menu. For some time now, fragrances that evoke desserts, confectionery and sweet drinks have been attracting more and more perfume lovers. The trend is no longer limited to the traditional notes of vanilla or caramel: pistachio, marshmallow, honey, chocolate and even whipped cream are now included in the compositions.
This obsession with edible smells has a name: gourmand perfumes. And the figures confirm their growing popularity. According to the analysis firm Spate, interest in gourmet fragrances increased by 85.1% in the United States between 2024 and 2025, while that in vanilla perfumes increased by 24.4%. A development that inspires perfume houses, determined to explore all the facets of this olfactory delicacy. But why do we want to smell dessert so much?
Gourmet perfumes are experiencing a real boom on social networks
Vanilla, caramel, chocolate, praline… Gourmet perfumes are not a recent invention. The category has existed for several decades, notably since the success of Mugler’s Angel in the 1990s, which helped popularize sweet and enveloping compositions in perfumery. But this olfactory family is now experiencing new growth, largely driven by social networks. On TikTok, videos dedicated to perfumes that smell “good to eat” are multiplying, with creators who share their discoveries, compare scents and reveal their favorite associations.
The Spate report confirms this dynamic. In the United States, gourmet fragrances showed an increase of 85.1% in popularity on Google, TikTok and Instagram between January and December 2025, compared to the previous year. Vanilla remains a safe bet, with an increase of 24.4%. But other ingredients are also gaining ground, including pistachio, honey and chocolate. Enough to show that consumers’ desires are no longer limited to simply sweet perfumes: they are now looking for more original compositions, which evoke a real sensory experience.
These 5 gourmet scents make you want to smell dessert
While vanilla remains essential, it is no longer the only star of this trend. Pistachio, red fruits, milky notes and pastry accords inspire a new generation of fragrances. Some evoke a cupcake just out of the oven, others a fruity treat or a more sophisticated sweetness. Here are five perfumes that illustrate different facets of this olfactory obsession.
1. Yum Vanilla Cupcake by KAYALI
For those who love scents that evoke pastry. With its evocative name, Yum Vanilla Cupcake is fully part of the world of gourmet fragrances. Vanilla and the imagination of the cupcake recall those sweet and comforting smells that we spontaneously associate with desserts. A proposition to explore for those who want to assume a deliciously regressive trail.
2. Vanilla Scotch by JO MALONE
For those who prefer a warmer treat. With Vanilla Scotch, Jo Malone explores a more enveloping side of vanilla. The imagination of whiskey brings a more sophisticated dimension to this olfactory family, far from the world of simple candy. An interesting alternative for those who like gourmand perfumes, but want a more adult result.
3. Strawberry Letter by PHLUR
For lovers of fruity and sweet notes. Here, indulgence takes a more tangy turn. With Strawberry Letter, Phlur puts the strawberry in the spotlight and explores this fruity universe reminiscent of red fruit sweets and desserts. A fragrance that fits perfectly into this desire for fragrances that are both playful and comforting.
4. Pear Crystal from LE MONDE GOURMAND
For those who prefer fruity treats. The pear has a particular charm in perfumery: juicy, delicate and slightly sweet, it evokes both a fresh fruit and a light dessert. Cristal Poire from Le Monde Gourmand offers another interpretation of the trend, more fruity than pastry, ideal for those who don’t necessarily want to wear a very sweet perfume.
5. Paradox Sweet Chemistry by PRADA
For those who love contemporary interpretations of deliciousness. With Paradoxe Sweet Chemistry, Prada is part of this desire for sensory and seductive compositions. A proposal that allows you to explore another facet of gourmet perfumery, in a more contemporary register.
Whether you prefer the notes of cupcake, the warmth of vanilla, the freshness of a strawberry or the juicy side of pear, gourmet perfumes today offer a much wider palette than you imagine. Enough to find your own olfactory dessert, without necessarily wanting to smell candy all day.
Why do we want to smell like dessert so much?
This attraction to sweet smells is not just a matter of TikTok trend. Gourmet fragrances have a particularly strong emotional dimension. Vanilla, chocolate or even pastry notes can evoke familiar memories: a childhood snack, family cooking, a shared dessert or a hot drink in winter. These personal associations help make certain smells particularly comforting. The sense of smell has close links with memory and emotions, which explains why a perfume can sometimes instantly take us back to a memory.
Brands have understood this appeal well. In a context where perfume is increasingly seen as an accessory for well-being and personal expression, gourmet compositions offer a form of immediate sensory pleasure. They allow you to create a warm, reassuring or deliciously regressive olfactory signature. The phenomenon also extends beyond perfumes: notes of vanilla, pistachio and honey are also found in body mists, lotions and body products. A way to prolong its trail by layering several textures and fragrances.
Are gourmet perfumes necessarily very sweet?
Not necessarily. It is even one of the great developments in current perfumery: gourmet compositions seek to gain in subtlety and complexity. Exit, therefore, the idea that a vanilla perfume must necessarily smell of sugar or candy. The new creations play more on contrasts, combining edible notes with woody, floral, spicy or musky accords. A vanilla can thus become drier, powdery or slightly smoky, while a pistachio can take on green and roasted accents.
This evolution gives rise to what professionals call “neo-gourmands”. The idea? Maintain the addictive and comforting side of food-inspired fragrances, while giving them more character. Perfumers are now exploring accords that evoke textures and sensations: whipped cream, biscuit, hot milk, candied fruit or melting caramel. Finally, wanting to smell like dessert no longer necessarily means choosing an extremely sweet perfume. Perfumery explores a particularly rich playing field, where each fragrance tells its own delight.
FAQ: everything you need to know about gourmet perfumes
1. What is a gourmand perfume?
A gourmand perfume is a fragrance that contains olfactory notes evoking food or desserts. Vanilla, caramel, chocolate, praline, honey, coffee or marshmallow are among the emblematic ingredients of this olfactory family.
2. What perfume smells the most like vanilla?
There are many interpretations of vanilla in perfumery. Some are very sweet and creamy, while others are more woody, ambery or powdery. The choice therefore depends on the type of wake sought.
3. Why are gourmand perfumes so popular?
Their success is explained in particular by their comforting and nostalgic dimension. Sweet smells can evoke childhood memories and pleasant moments. TikTok also contributes to their popularity by increasing the number of fragrance recommendations and discoveries.
4. What is the difference between a gourmand perfume and a sweet perfume?
A sweet perfume contains notes that evoke sugar, honey or candied fruit. A gourmet perfume goes further by reproducing pairings inspired by food: cake, chocolate, cream, coffee, caramel or pastry.
5. What are the trendiest ingredients in gourmet perfumes in 2026?
Vanilla remains essential, but pistachio, honey, chocolate, marshmallow and creamy pairings are gaining popularity. Perfumers are increasingly combining them with woody, floral or musky notes to create more sophisticated compositions.
