Spring colors and themes are such fun. Delicate flowers, pretty pastel colors, and sweet treats provide plenty of inspiration for bright and cheerful bath goodies. It might just be my favorite time of year when it comes to crafting handmade products. When Kelly suggested formulating a recipe for jelly bean cupcakes I was thrilled!
These adorable little bath bombs include three components, a fizzy milk bath base, a layer of moisturizing Cocoa and Cupuacu Butters, and a colorful glycerin soap topping. We scented this recipe with our luscious Lemon Drop Plant-Based Fragrance Oil. It has a slightly sugary citrus aroma that bursts with sweetness.
You might find piping the topping to be a little tricky. We found that using a plastic frosting tip was key. This allowed the topping to be microwaved for a few seconds whenever the mixture became too firm to pipe easily.
As you can see, this recipe doesn’t produce the light, fluffy appearance of real buttercream, but it does give the bath bombs a cute detail. Even when it comes to working with real cupcakes and frosting – practice makes perfect. Don’t be discouraged if your cupcakes look homemade, they will still be adorable – imperfections and all.
If piping turns out to be too troublesome, you can also just scoop the topping on to each bath bomb with a small ice cream scoop.
The jelly bean topping is made with melt and pour soap, and really elevates this project from okay to fabulous. Liquid D&C and FD&C Dyes will yield clear, realistic jelly beans, while Pearlescent Micas will give your jelly beans a whimsical shimmering look. No matter which ingredient you are using to color your jelly bean soaps, just be sure and saturate them well. The tiny little soaps need to pop on top of each cupcake.
You also have the option of leaving the jelly beans off of your bath bomb, or using a different shape to suit another season or holiday. For example, tiny raspberry soaps would look great on a summer themed bath bomb!
P.S. You can find a jelly bean mold here.
Jelly Bean Cupcake Jelly Bean Bath Bombs Bath Bombs
Makes about 4 bath bombs
Ingredients
Cupcake Base
- 2 cups Baking Soda
- 1 cup Citric Acid
- 1 tablespoon Whole Milk Powder
- 1 tablespoon Arrowroot Powder
- 1 tablespoon Avocado Mica Powder
- 2 tablespoons Apricot Kernel Oil
- 1 tablespoon Witch Hazel
- 1 tablespoon Lemon Drop Plant-Based Fragrance Oil
Cupcake Topping
- 1 cup Baking Soda
- 1/2 cup Citric Acid
- 2 ounces melted Cocoa Butter, Deodorized
- 1 ounce melted Cupuacu Butter
- 2 tablespoons Aloe Vera Oil
- 1 ounce Cream of Tartar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons (1/4 ounce) Lemon Drop Plant-Based Fragrance Oil
Jelly Bean Soap Topping
Directions
- To make the jelly bean soap topping, melt the soap base and divide into small cups to create multiple colors. Add liquid dyes or micas to each cup and stir well to blend the colorants. Pour melted soap into jelly bean soap molds (or other tiny soap or candy molds). Allow to cool and harden completely before removing from molds.
- To make the base, mix the baking soda, whole milk powder, arrowroot powder, and avocado mica in a large bowl. In a second bowl, combine the apricot kernel oil, witch hazel, and plant-based fragrance oil. Whisk the liquids vigorously, then add them slowly to the dry ingredients as you continuously stir the mixture. Add the citric acid, and give the mixture one last really thorough mix. Pack the mixture tightly into silicone cupcake liners or paper nut cups.
- To make the topping, combine the baking soda, citric acid, and cream of tartar in a mixing bowl and whisk together. In a second bowl, combine melted butters, aloe vera oil, and plant-based fragrance oil. Add the liquids slowly to the dry ingredients as you continuously stir the mixture. Work quickly as the butters will cool and harden before very long. Immediately transfer the mixture to pastry bag fitted with a large star tip. Pipe the mixture onto the top of the cupcake bases, then top with jelly bean soaps.
- Allow the bath bombs to dry until they are completely hardened. 24 hours should be plenty. Be sure to dry your bath bombs in a cool, dry place as humidity can prolong the drying process.
Usage & Packaging
- Fully dried bath bombs should be stored in air-tight packaging, such as cello bags.
- To use, simply drop one bath bomb into the bath water and watch as it fizzes and dissolves.
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