Bubblin Fun

Hey Ya'll,

You know that I'm a soap and candle maker (at least I'm trying to be anyway.) I haven't blogged about making candles yet because I'm currently ga-ga for soap. My mind is flooded with ideas. I'm working on a new line of cookie soaps that I hope won't turn out disastrous. I'll make a big reveal sometime next week. I will give you, my loyal fans (violins playing in the background), a sneak peek of a really easy-breezy recipe. It's called Cookie Dough Soap. It's so easy, you can make it with the kids (if you have any), or the gals, or the guys, you get the picture. I wanted to show you all pictures of the project in process, but I didn't get the idea til the very end, so for that, I apologize. Wear comfortable clothes, preferably something you won't mind getting dirty because it can get a little messy. First rule of thumb before embarking on any project: Have all your supplies together before you start. You will not have time to scramble around with mushy, soapy hands once you get started. Notice that I don't include a thermometer with this recipe. We're not using lye, oils, or water, so there's no real need for one. Let's get started! You will need the following:

• Microwave-safe bowl


• 16-24 oz of M&P soap (that's melt and pour for you novices) I personally like oatmeal M&P because it's already tan in color like cookie dough. If you don't have oatmeal soap, use white M&P as opposed to clear because you want the soap to have a "solid" appearance


• brown, skin-safe dye if you're using white M&P soap


• 1/2-1 oz of cookie dough fragrance oil (FO)


• wooden spoon


• freezer or parchment paper


• cellophane or plastic wrap


• ribbon or rapphia


• clean hands

1. Cut the soap into small squares and toss into your bowl. This allows for even melting and shortens your melt time.


2. Place bowl in your microwave and melt it in 30 second blasts. Do this at least 3 times. You could just zap the soap for a minute+, but all microwaves aren't the same and you could scorch or burn your soap. You don't want your soap piping hot. The goal is to melt it into liquid form. You may notice that your soap has an alcohol-y smell. That's okay. Once you add your FO, it will dissipate.


3. The liquid soap will be hot, so if there are still some chunks, just stir it with your spoon so the chunks are incorporated into the liquid soap. If you still have a lot of chunks, blast it in 20 second bursts til it softens, then stir to melt it down.


4. Now is the time to add your FO and dye. Stir well to incorporate.


5. Now that your soap is liquified, you want it to form a "skin." That's when your soap begins to solidify. Now is the time to work quickly, but not like Speedy Gonzalez.


6. Using your hands, you want to scoop some of the cooled mixture (that's important. The soap should be warm to the touch, but not so hot that you can't handle it) and begin to start forming balls with it. The size is totally up to you. You don't want perfect, round balls, but they should be textured and messy like real cookie dough. If the soap isn't firm enough, let it set for about 3 minutes or so. It doesn't take long to cool.


7. Again, the consistency should be sticky and gooey. If it's too hard, zap it for about 10-15 seconds. Once your "dough" is formed, set it on your freezer or parchment paper so they can harden. I like to leave mine overnight so that it's really solid and hard. You don't want it to break apart as soon as you touch it.


8. Once they've hardened, your soap is now ready to either use or package for gift-giving. You can wrap them in cellophane or plastic and tie a piece of ribbon or wrapphia around them. Here is a pic of my finished soap. Hope you have fun making yours. Smooches!