Aaaahhhh… seasonal smells. There’s nothing better to evoke a happy feeling about a season than one of your favorite scents, am I right? During the fall and winter months, my favorite smells are cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, and freshly brewed coffee. They make me feel the coziest. I decided to put all my favorite things into a hand soap because, why not?
Ingredients:
-2 tbsp mix of cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves (or you can use this magical spice called “Cake Spice”)
-1/4 tsp coffee grounds
-1 lb shea butter melt and pour soap base
Supplies:
-measuring spoons
-knife
–silicon cupcake mold
-microwave safe bowl
-wooden spoon or stirrer
Step One: Cut your soap base into cubes. The smaller you cut them the quicker they will melt. Place the cubes in a microwave safe bowl and melt. To avoid burning the soap base, microwave in 30 second increments. If you don’t have a microwave at home, you can melt the soap base with a double broiler.
Step Two: Once your soap base is completely melted, add your cake spice and your coffee grounds.
Step Three: After you get all of your spices stirred in, pour your soap into the silicon mold. You’ll want to move quickly with these steps because the soap base cools fast!
Step Four: Let your soap cool completely before you pop them out of the mold! I usually like to let mine sit overnight to be safe, but it really only takes a few hours. Once you pop them out, it’s time to package them up and hand them out to friends!
Not only does this soap smell wonderful, but the coffee is great for exfoliation! I’ll be using these as gifts at various gatherings we have coming up over the next couple of months. This method of soap customization is such a simple way to always have gifts on hand! xo. Katie
Credits // Author and Photography: Katie Shelton. Photos edited with A Beautiful Mess actions.
48 Comments
Coffee is such a great idea! I’ve been making soap from scratch (so much fun and simpler than it sounds, if you ever want to get into it!) the past year and a half or so, and I’m due to make a few batches for Christmas gifts. Coffee would be a fantastic addition, and with the spices this makes me think of a chai latte or something 🙂
I´ve always wanted to make soap myself. I think I might give your recipe a try. It sure makes a great little christmas gift.
I love this! These would make great Christmas gifts! I do have a question though. I have never made my own melt and pour soap. Where do you get the Shea butter base?
What an amazing diy. I can’t wait to make my own soap. I love it.
xx
I’d like to know, too (like Hannah), where do you purchase the shea butter base? Also, any good tips on where to purchase the pour soap base, too?
Best,
Jen
Looove this!! I think i will make these for my work xmas gifts.
I LOVE handmade gifts like these! They are so much more fun to give and receive!
These are so cute, love them, and they would make great gifts x
I made molds a few years ago from a Lowes catalog idea of using PVC pipes as molds – but I haven’t used them since that first time. This is such a great and simple recipe with things I already have on hand (accept the soap base) totally doing this for the upcoming holiday season! Thanks for such an easy idea!
OOOOHH , Super post !!
Congrats
http://www.normcoregirl.com
This is such a great idea for gifts for friends or teachers! I bet they smell amazing! Do you buy your soap base and butter melt online or from a store? Also how many soaps does this recipe make? Thank you!
http://www.mylittlenest.org
oooh, they look so pretty and simple to make. Perfect for gifts!
I bet this would make any washroom smell pretty good! I love the fact that you get exfoliating properties through the coffee grinds. All I need to buy is the shea butter soap! 🙂
These would make awesome presents! I’ve been meaning to try making soap, and these look beautiful!
http://www.littleblackshell.com
Thank you for sharing! I’m pretty sure I’m going to have problems not eating it, though. 🙂
These look great! Seems like an awesome Christmas gift not to expensive but super thoughtful! Plus the chai spice scent is just awesome!
These looking amazing! Definitely making some for sticking fillers this year!
Siobhan xx
This looks so awesome!! But where do you find melt and pour soap base? I’ve never even heard of it until today.
Love this soap. I love the smell of cinamon in the fall and winter!
I can only imagine how good it must smell
Xx
http://loadsof-joy.blogspot.com
When are computers going to come out with smell-o-vision:)
Oooh this just seems like it would smell so amazing! And I’m loving the rounded shape!
This is SO great! How fun to change up the scents depending on the season! Love this idea!
http://sometimesgracefully.com
I was wondering the same thing. I’ve been want to buy some shea but have no idea where’s a good place to purchase. :] http://www.itscarmen.com
I buy all of my melt and pour soap bases from Amazon. There are so many types to choose from!
Such a lovely idea! http://meowemily.blogspot.com
i love making my own soap
this is awesome 🙂
alysamadisun.blogspot.com
Love this DIY…making your own soap is awesome..will be def making it..
xo
Hems
agoldentulip.blogspot.com
so cute!
xx nikki
http://www.dream-in-neon.com
I have to try this! I love, love, love Spice Latte and that DIY is so me. I also know now, what present I´ll make for my best friend.
Best Wishes!
mtrjschk.blogspot.de
Wow guys. I love this aromatic soap idea and honestly, it looks so relatively easy that even I can probably do it 🙂
I’m looking for more ways to make my gifts personal this year and this is definitely one of them.
Thanks and take care.
Lyle
Cute!! I think I’ll make these as a Christmas gift. Great idea and thanks for sharing 🙂
– Amanda | The Chic Counsel
This looks so nice! x
https://www.marjorievie.blogspot.com
Oh, I really like this idea!! It would make the perfect gift and the smell must be delicious… I think I’m gonna give it a try, thank you!!
What a beautiful idea for holiday gifts! I can’t wait to try it.
this looks like a great idea to try for christmas presents!
http://www.waterlilyshop.com
I did get very inspired by this soap and made my own variation that I shared on my blog. I used coconut oil instead of shea butter for example and that worked out great! Thank you for all the inspiration through the years!
/ Lisa
What a brilliant idea! I these types of posts
You can get many types of melt and pour bases from craft stores such as Michaels or Hobby Lobby(:
Oh, I can only imagine how wonderful this smells! For all the handmade gifts I have made over the years I have never made soap. Your recipe might be the tipping point : )
This sounds like so much fun, and they would be perfect gifts for so many people!
Great idea! I just bought some of that base. It’s my friend’s birthday in a couple of weeks time – I know she will love this! Thanks for sharing!
Laura x
http://talesofadventureblog.com
Thank you I’m gatheing the best ideas for hand made gifts !
Love this idea and seems easy for new soap makers!
Anybody with experience: Do you need to buy a suspension base with this soap so all the grounds and spices don’t settle at the bottom?
I made this today! It has such a wonderful scent and I”m sure my daughters and co-workers will love them when I give them at Christmas!
I wrapped each in tissue and tied with a ribbon!
I can’t wait to use the lb. of soap base to make another batch!
This looks awesome and I would love to try!
I was wondering where you can purchase Cake Spice? Or if you could clarify if it is 2 tbsp of cinnamon, 2 tbsp of nutmeg and 2 tbsp of cloves combined together? Or do they all together make up 2 tbsp?
Thank you!
Something like pumpkin pie spice (from the grocery store) or you can mix all of those ingredients together to make it. You’ll have enough to last a while if you do!
Made these for Xmas this year and they went down a treat! Thank you so much