Go Back
Print Recipe

Pumpkin Spiced Latte ~ Small Batch Cold Process Soap~ for Hand & Body

This is my favorite, pumpkin spiced latte soap bar. If you can follow instructions well in baking, you can definitely learn how to make your own cold process soap. For pure coconut oil soap bars, I would not recommend less than 20% superfat when intended for hand and body (otherwise it will be too drying for the skin).
2lb batch, 100% Coconut Oil, 20% Superfat
Prep Time30 minutes
Cook Time30 minutes
Curing Time70 days
Total Time1 hour
Keyword: coconut, cold process, olive oil, pomace, pumpkin, soap, soap recipe, squash
Servings: 12 bars
Author: Heather I. Scott
Cost: $15

Equipment

  • 1 gallon white vinegar in case of lye burns on skin or to neutralize spills
  • 1 immersion blender You can find one for less than $15 and save it strictly for soaping
  • 2 candy thermometers you can get by with just one if necessary, but two is better
  • 2 6-cavity silicone soap mold I recommend a soap mold with cavities for coconut soap
  • 1 digital kitchen scale
  • 1 glass bowl heat-proof for lye mixture
  • 1 2-quart, stainless steel sauce pan to warm oil in (Not Aluminum!)
  • 1 4-quart plastic mixing bowl
  • 2 silicone spatulas one for lye mixture and one for oil mixture
  • Goggles for eye protection
  • Mask for fumes
  • Well-ventilated area such as your stovetop
  • Disposable gloves for hand protection
  • 1 small spritz bottle for isopropyl alcohol during curing phase

Ingredients

Soap Ingredients

  • 132 grams sodium hydroxide 100% pure lye
  • 300 grams distilled water
  • 908 grams refined coconut oil
  • 1/4 cup instant coffee crystals If you choose to add more, the soap will appear darker and grainier
  • 10 drops pumpkin spice pure essential oil blend NOW Essential Oils, Pumpkin Spice Oil Blend is an excellent choice
  • 10 drops coffee essential oil Gya Labs Coffee Essential Oil for Aromatherapy is my first choice

During the Curing Phase

  • 1/2 cup isopropyl alcohol for use during the curing phase

Instructions

STEP 1: SAFETY FIRST

  • Set out all materials in advance. Place a thermometer with the lye bowl and a thermometer with the oil. Place a rubber spatula with the lye bowl and one with the oil & pan.
    Place an old towel, newspaper, or paper towels under the silicone soap molds. Splashing lye or the newly mixed soap mixture onto a countertop or table WILL strip the finish off of it if you're not careful.
    Premeasure all ingredients before beginning. Wear all necessary protection: apron, gloves, goggles, mask.
    Set the jug of vinegar next to the sink in case of emergency. Vinegar neutralizes the burn of lye if it comes in contact with your skin.
    EXERCISE CAUTION AT ALL TIMES

STEP 2: LYE MIXTURE

  • In a heat-safe glass bowl, pour the sodium hydroxide (lye) carefully into the distilled water. Gently stir with the rubber spatula designated for lye solution. Stir until the lye crystals are dissolved. This bowl will get hot! Carefully monitor it until the temperature drops to 100F or 38C.
    If you're worried about accidentally tipping or splashing this, you can place the bowl in your kitchen sick to insure against spills. Just don't forget it is there.

STEP 3: HEATING OIL

  • In your stainless steel pan, melt the coconut oil on low heat until just liquefied. Stir gently until the oil has reached but not exceeded 100F (38C).

STEP 4: COMBINING LYE AND OIL

  • Be certain that you have applied all protective apparel and make sure there are no children, pets, or other possible infringements in your work area.
  • When your lye solution and your melted oil have each reached 100F (38C), gently combine them in a heat-safe mixing bowl.

STEP 5: ADDING EXTRAS

  • Add your desired soap additives. For this recipe, we have coffee granules for exfoliation, pumpkin spice essential oil blend, and coffee essential oil blend.
    Stir with the rubber spatula for 1 minute.

STEP 6: EMULSIFYING & "TRACE"

  • Tracing, or soap coming to trace phase, is when the soap mixture has thickened and begins to resemble soft whipped cream or warm pudding.
    This pure coconut soap can sometimes emulsify somewhat quickly. If it begins to do so with simple stirring from the rubber spatula, that is fine. If it doesn't come to trace after 5 minutes just from hand-stirring, you can use an immersion blender. Gently pulse the immersion blender until the mixture thickens to trace consistency.

STEP 7: POURING

  • Using a rubber spatula, gently pour soap into the cavities of your silicone mold. Smooth out or swirl in your desired pattern.
    *You must work quickly because once the soap has reached trace and is beginning to cool, it will begin to harden.
  • Leave uncovered somewhere safe, out of direct sunlight, with plenty of air circulation.
    Keep in the soap molds for 48 hours or until the soap has hardened.
  • NOTE- If you see a powdery-white residue building on the surface of the soap, this will not harm it- it is only oxidizing slightly. However, if you prefer a glossy sheen to your soap, then you can use a spritz bottle and apply a very light mist of isopropyl alcohol to prevent the surface from turning white.

STEP 8: CURING

  • Once your bars have hardened, they can be flipped out of their molds and allowed to cure for 4+ weeks.
    Leave your coconut soap bars somewhere dust-free and well-ventilated, out of direct sunlight for 4 weeks.
    Mist with isopropyl alcohol as needed to reduce matte/powdery surface if desired.
    Once the soap bars are cured, they will be fully hardened and whitish in appearance. It will have a shelf-life of at least 2 years.

Notes

Normally additives such as essential oils and exfoliants are added after the lye and oil solutions are combined and before the final mix to reach trace; however, pure coconut oil soap traces rather quickly.  Adding your oils, etc. immediately before or after combining the oil and lye solution will ensure that you get these ingredients mixed well before it traces.  
I don't recommend using a loaf mold for coconut oil soap because it hardens so quickly that it may be difficult to unmold and slice into bars after the 24-48hr resting period.