Cupcake Soap

These instructions are really simple to follow and use the easy 'melt and pour' techniques. 'Melt and pour' is the easiest method of making homemade cupcake soaps.

It requires no special tools except for a base and a mould (or mold), and is easy and fun for kids and adults alike - no handling dangerous lye mixtures. You can decorate your cupcake soap when it has set.

I will show you how to make cup cake soaps in a few easy steps.

Things you'll need:
Soap Base
Microwavable container
Cutting board
Measuring spoons
Fragrance or essential oil (optional)
Soap-safe dye (optional)
Large knife
Mould

1. Prepare your workspace. You need a clean stretch of countertop or table, as well as all of your necessary tools.

2. Cut the base into chunks and place it into a container. Weigh it until you think you've got the amount that your mould can hold - a few tenths of an ounce over or under won't matter.

3. Make sure that your knife, cutting board, and container are free of dirt - soap picks it up easily, and its difficult to get off.

4. Melt the base. Pour the chunks in a microwave-safe bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Heat for just one minute, and take out and stir. It will be thick and chunky. Repeat heating for a minute at a time, stirring afterward, until it is smooth and chunk-free. Warning: The soap base will be very hot when fully melted.

5. Add the fragrance or essential oil. (It is best to wait until the soap has cooled a bit before adding fragrance, this will ensure that your finished soap has a strong smell, or you use less fragrance - using a thermometer cool the soap to between 55 and 60 degrees C) A good amount is probably .25 ounces (about 7 grams). This step is optional - sometimes fragrance can irritate sensitive skin.

6. Add color. This step is optional - some people prefer to have colored cupcake soap. Do not use food or candle specific coloring which might stain your skin. Use a soap safe dye, which can be purchased from your craft store. Remember that soap-safe dye is much weaker than candle dye, and you will need to put in more than you would in the same amount of candle wax.

7. Stir the melted soap - but don't stir too hard, otherwise bubbles will form in the soap.

8. Pour the soap into the mould. Pour slowly as to not get bubbles in the soap. If you are using a cupcake mould and going to do different colours for base and cake, you start with the cake colour and pour to the start of the cupcake liner (remembering that the mould is upside down). If using paper cases, fill to the top. Once you do this, you can either cover with plastic wrap and leave it on the counter or place it into the refrigerator.

9. Once soap has cooled add the base colour if using a mould. If using paper cases, allow the second colour to cool and firm slightly as you can then mould it to the shape you desire. It will take approximately one hour in the refrigerator or several hours on the counter to cool. Cooling in the refrigerator will reduce your finished soap fragrance Do not place in the freezer.

10. Release cupcake soap from the mould. After it is hard, pop the soap out of the mould. Sometimes it will not come easily - try tapping the back with your hand or a large spoon if the soap is exceptionally stubborn.

Experiment with different amounts of fragrance and color for different results.

If you have sensitive skin, do not put fragrance or color in the soap. It will not irritate normal skin, but it may irritate sensitive skin.

If bubbles form in the soap while pouring it into the mold, lightly spray the tops with rubbing alcohol.

Rub your mould with a little bit of Vaseline so the soap is easier to get out when it is hard.

Remember that your cupcake soap is only as good as your soap base - buy a good quality soap base at your craft store.

I was given this decorated cup cake soap as a present from my husband. It is so gorgeous that I don't want to use it! This handmade soap has intricate piping around the edge and stunning piped flowers on top.

There are several on-line and off-line businesses that sell hand-made cupcake soaps. A search of the internet or local telephone directory will list suppliers.