Desert Sunrise Melt & Pour Soap Recipe

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If you enjoy making things with herbs and flowers AND getting creative with melt and pour soap base, I think you’ll really enjoy my Easy Homemade Melt & Pour Soaps print book!

It has 50 recipes and design tutorials featuring all natural colorants, herb/flower infusions, and essential oils. You can find it at places like Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or ask your favorite bookseller or local library about it! :)

You will need:

• 3 oz (85 g) oatmeal soap base, cut into cubes
• 4″ silicone load mold (Crafter’s Choice Short Loaf Mold 1504 pictured)
• Rubbing alcohol, for spritzing
• 19 oz (539 g) clear soap base, divided
• 3 g (~3/4 tsp) orange essential oil
• 2 g (~1/2 tsp) lemongrass essential oil
• 1.5 g (~1/4 + 1/8 tsp) grapefruit essential oil
• Tiny pinch of saffron + 1/2 tsp rubbing alcohol (for the yellow layer)
• 1/4 tsp tomato powder + 1 tsp rubbing alcohol (for the orange layer)
• 1/4 tsp madder root powder + 3/4 tsp rubbing alcohol (for the red layer)

YIELD: Four 5.25-ounce bars of soap

Instructions:

In a half-pint (250-ml) sized jar, melt the oatmeal soap base, using the double-boiler method, heating over medium-low heat for 10 to 20 minutes, or the microwave method, heating for 10-15 sections at a time, until it’s melted. Pour it into the mold. Spritz the top with alcohol and let it cool for 15 to 20 minutes.

While the oatmeal layer is cooling, melt the clear soap base and stir in the essential oils. Pour 5.5 ounces (156 g) of the hot clear base into a half-pint sized canning jar. Add the diluted saffron/alcohol and mix well.

Use a book, dish, or other nearby sturdy object to prop the mold at about a 45-degree angle. When the soap is 130 to 135°F (54 to 57°C), pour the saffron-colored clear soap into the mold to form the first triangle shape. Spritz the top with alcohol to remove air bubbles. Let it cool for 20 to 25 minutes.

While it’s cooling, reheat the clear soap and pour 5.5 ounces (156 g) into a half-pint sized canning jar. Add the diluted tomato powder and stir well; this will create the orange triangle.

Check to see whether the yellow layer is ready for the next step by lightly tapping the sides of the mold with your finger. If the surface ripples and jiggles easily, it needs a few more minutes to firm up. Once the yellow layer is firm, remove the book or other object from under the mold, then reposition it so the mold is now angled in the opposite direction from before.

Let the orange soap cool to 130 to 135°F (54 to 57°C). Spritz the yellow soap with alcohol, then carefully pour the orange soap into the mold. Spritz with alcohol again. Let the orange layer cool for 20 to 25 minutes. While it’s cooling, reheat the remaining 8 ounces (227 g) of clear soap and stir in the diluted madder root powder, to form the red soap.