Coconut Macaroon Scrubbie Soaps

Kibby, our CEO, and I dreamed up these funny little soaps while brain storming for another project.  Ever since our conversation that day I have wanted to experiment with this idea.  I had envisioned this recipe being one of those ideas that sound great in conversation, but prove to be nothing but trouble in practice.  However, I was pleasantly surprised when they worked out on the very first try!  In this unique recipe, we’ve used shredded Coconut and Opaque Melt & Pour Soap to make Coconut Macaroon Soaps.  To give the soaps a little extra stability, I dipped them in Soap that was colored with Cocoa Powder.  I was impressed when the test batch took on a recognizable shape, and was pleased as pop to find that this soap is also really pleasant to use.  The scrubbie Coconut Flakes make this a great hand soap for the kitchen, or for the bath.  I can’t wait to make up a big batch of these little cookie soaps to give away as gifts.  I think my friends and family would find them to be simply delightful.

I had had my doubts about this experiment while it was still just a theory, but am totally hooked on them now that I’ve made a batch.  While they aren’t totally natural, they are tons of fun, handmade, and are certainly unique!  Did I mention that they also smell incredible?  I would love to see some photos if anyone else takes a crack at making these soaps.  Please feel free to email me or leave a comment with any questions that you may have.

Coconut Macaroon Scrubbie Soaps
Makes about 8 – 10 small soaps or 4 – 6 large soaps

Ingrdients
10 ounces Coconut Opaque Melt & Pour Soap Base
1 cup Shredded Coconut
2 teaspoons Cocoa Powder
2 teaspoons Dark Chocolate Supreme Fragance Oil
1/4 ounce – 1/2 ounce Coconut Cream Fragrance Oil

Directions

Cover a baking seet with waxed paper and set it aside.  Chop and melt 8 ounces of Melt & Pour Soap in a double boiler. If you are using Melt & Pour Base from FromNatureWithLove.com, this will work out to about 10 cubes.  As soon as the Base has melted, stir in 1 cup of Shredded Coconut and remove the base from the heat.  Quickly add the Coconut Cream Fragrance Oil and begin to stir.  Stir the mixture constantly until it begins to cool and congeal.  This is the tricky part.  You’ll need to scoop out about 1 tablespoon of the mixture as soon as it is cool enough to handle.  Mold the soap into a ball using the palms of your hands, and then press it gently onto the wax paper covered baking sheet.  You want to soap to remain round on top, but to be flat on the bottom.  Repeat this step with the remaining soap.  To keep the soap at the ideal temperature you may want to transfer the double boiler back onto the heat periodically, or simply keep the double boiler in the pot of warm water, leaving the stove burner off.  Once you are finished shaping the balls of soap, wash and dry your double boiler in preperation for the next phase.  Cut and melt 2 more ounces of Melt & Pour Soap Base.  If you are using Melt & Pour Base from FromNatureWithLove.com, this will work out to about 2.5 cubes.  As soon as the Base has melted, add 2 teaspoons of Cocoa Powder and stir well.  (Tip: To help break up tiny clumps in the Cocoa Powder you can pre-mix it with a small amount of vegetable oil prior to adding it to the Soap Base.)  Take the melted Base off of the heat source, and add 2 teaspoons of Dark Chocolate Supreme Fragrance Oil.  Mix well.  Using a pair of tongs, carefully lower the bottom of each Soap Ball into the melted Soap Base.  After the bottom half is coated, transfer it back to the baking sheet, then grab the next soap ball.  Continue this process until each soap ball has been coated 2-3 times.  Allow the Coconut Macaroon Scrubbie Soaps about 30 minutes to fully cool and set before packaging.  These look adorable in Cello Bags, or presented in bakery containers.  Since Glycerin Soaps can have a tendancy to sweat, I recommend packaging these soaps individually in plastic wrap before placing them in another container such as a cello bag or bakery box.

On a more personal note, I thought some of my fellow crafters and soapers would get a kick out of the little notes that I leave for my hubby when I create especially delicious looking soaps or bath treats.  Unfortunately for my dear Mr. S., he has a bad habit of biting into things before he asks what they are.  Has anyone else had this problem with hungry members of the household?