I don't know how Yankee Candle does it, but this candle smells just like fresh baked cupcakes with white, vanilla frosting on top. It is less buttery than the Buttercream scent. It is more than just a straight vanilla scent like French Vanilla. It reminds me of whipped creamy goodness spread on a moist cake. The description says it has a hint of lemon, which I can smell just a bit. The subtle, mellow lemon scent adds a slight freshness to the candle and keeps it from being too heavy or overpowering. My one complaint is that every time I burn this candle, my kids come home expecting to find fresh baked treats because it smells so real! I would say it has a mid to strong level throw and it is capable of scenting a large room. Occasionally, we can smell this candle in other parts of the house. It would be a great idea for a birthday gift with the cute cupcake artwork on the front.