For the past few years, I’ve put together Fall soap recipes and Christmas soap recipes. I have to tell you, after putting together around 15 Fall soap recipes I had to sit and think for a while to create something new. After all, I will not use fragrance oils to make toxic scents.
Even with that challenge, I came up with some rally fun recipes! I’m so excited for they came out!
Before I get started, here are links to my other Fall soap pages so that you can look through them all before deciding which recipe you want to try.
The first link gives recipes with vegan alternatives. Remember, if you have ingredients for one recipe, or want to use your favorite vegan recipe, you can always use scents and colors from another recipe. Essential oils can be interchanged in similar quantities without making any other change to the recipe.
Pay attention to whether the recipe has cloves, cinnamon, or any type of sugar (molasses, sugar, honey, milk) as these tend to make the recipe come to trace faster. You’ll need to move faster if you are adding colors, or making swirls.
4 Fall Soap Recipes
The Recipes I put together this year are:
- Gingerbread Soap
- Pumpkin Cinnamon Layered Soap
- Cranberry Vanilla Swirl Soap
- Sugar Cookie Soap
These only have natural scents that are made by combining essential oils for a sweet, cinnamon, or other holiday scent. I also use natural ingredients for color. These particular bars are like Fall leaves, with spotted white to tan to orange. They are made even more beautiful with swirls and layers.
How to Swirl Soap
The Cranberry Vanilla Soap is swirled with a rose clay colored soap. Swirling soap is not difficult, but timing is important. But don’t worry. The end result can be different if your timing is a little off, but it always looks beautiful.
I’m going to give you the easiest way, which is to add a natural colorant to a removed portion of soap when it has reached trace.
When creating a swirl, create the soap according to the recipe you are using. When it begins to form a trace, make sure all scent is added and remove a small portion of soap. For most 2-3 pound soap recipes you’ll remove 1/4 to 1/2 cup. Add natural coloring to the soap that you removed. Use a whisk to mix well so that there aren’t any clumps.
Pour the main batch into your prepared mold. One way to make swirls is to pour the colored soap on top of the batch back and forth in lines. If your soap is very thin, the color can sink into the soap. Sometimes this is what is wanted. If you want a bright color on top though, you’ll need to make sure the soap is thick enough that it sinks slightly, but remains on top. Once you’ve poured it back and forth, use a dowel rod or knife and insert it straight down to the bottom in one corner of the mold. Drag the dowel rod back and forth perpendicular to your pour. Don’t over mix. Stop when you’re happy.
How to Layer Soap
Layering soap is also about trace.
To layer soap, remove half of the batch at light trace and color one or both halves. Pour one half into the mold. When both are thick enough so that they can sit on top of one another (but still be scooped and spread), gently pour the second half on top of the first. If you’re worried about the top soap sinking into the bottom layer, have someone hold a rubber spatula under your pot as you pour. This will “break the pour” and cause it to land gently onto the bottom layer.
4 Fall Soap Recipes
Time for the recipes!
Each of these recipes makes 2 pounds or 8 four ounce bars of soap. The superfat content (amount of oils leftover after the lye is all used up) will be given at the top of each recipe. Enjoy!
Gingerbread Soap
Makes: 2 pounds or 8 four ounce bars
Superfat: 5%
Ingredients:
- 9 ounces tallow or lard (Vegan Alternative: See Note)
- 6 ounces olive oil
- 5 ounces coconut oil
- 4 ounces avocado oil
- 8.2 ounces water
- 3.4 ounces lye
- 1 Tablespoon molasses
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 0.25 ounce cinnamon leaf essential oil
- 0.25 ounce clove essential oil
Directions:
- In a large stainless steel pot, combine tallow, olive oil, coconut oil, and avocado oil over medium to low heat. Heat until melted and then move off of burner and allow to cool until 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Using gloves and goggles, measure lye by pouring it into a zip close bag on a kitchen scale. Set aside and weigh water. Take both outside. Put on a charcoal mask and pour lye into water and stir until it is dissolved. Do not breathe in the fumes. The chemical reaction will end and the fumes will dissipate in a few minutes. Allow to cool to about 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
- When both oils and lye water has cooled, pour lye water into the pot of oils and blend with a stick blender on and off until light trace (It begins to thicken. Learn more about trace here.).
- Add molasses, cinnamon, and essential oils and blend until mixed well.
- Pour soap into a prepared mold (lined if necessary). Use a rubber spatula to scrape well. Cover. Insulate with towels if your home is cool.
- After 24 hours, remove from mold and cut into bars. If soap is still very soft, leave it in the mold for 12-24 hours and check again. Cure bars in a cool, dry place for 3-6 weeks to harden.
Gingerbread Soap Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 9 ounces tallow Vegan Alternative: See Note
- 6 ounces olive oil
- 5 ounces coconut oil
- 4 ounces avocado oil
- 8.2 ounces water
- 3.4 ounces lye
- 1 tablespoon molasses
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 0.25 ounce cinnamon leaf essential oil
- 0.25 ounce clove essential oil
Instructions
- In a large stainless steel pot, combine tallow, olive oil, coconut oil, and avocado oil over medium to low heat. Heat until melted and then move off of burner and allow to cool until 90 degrees Fahrenheit.9 ounces tallow, 6 ounces olive oil, 5 ounces coconut oil, 4 ounces avocado oil
- Using gloves and goggles, measure lye by pouring it into a zip close bag on a kitchen scale. Set aside and weigh water. Take both outside. Put on a charcoal mask and pour lye into water and stir until it is dissolved. Do not breathe in the fumes. The chemical reaction will end and the fumes will dissipate in a few minutes. Allow to cool to about 90 degrees Fahrenheit.3.4 ounces lye, 8.2 ounces water
- When both oils and lye water has cooled, pour lye water into the pot of oils and blend with a stick blender on and off until light trace (It begins to thicken. Learn more about trace here.).
- Add molasses, cinnamon, and essential oils and blend until mixed well.1 tablespoon molasses, 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 0.25 ounce cinnamon leaf essential oil, 0.25 ounce clove essential oil
- Pour soap into a prepared mold (lined if necessary). Use a rubber spatula to scrape well. Cover. Insulate with towels if your home is cool.
- After 24 hours, remove from mold and cut into bars. If soap is still very soft, leave it in the mold for 12-24 hours and check again. Cure bars in a cool, dry place for 3-6 weeks to harden.
Notes
Pumpkin Cinnamon Layered Soap
Makes: 2 pounds or 8 four ounce bars
Superfat: 5%
Ingredients:
- 10 ounces olive oil
- 6 ounces coconut oil
- 4 ounces castor oil
- 2 ounces cocoa butter
- 5.5 ounces water
- 3 ounces lye
- 0.20 ounce cinnamon leaf essential oil
- 0.20 ounce clove essential oils
- 0.15 ounce nutmeg essential oil
- 2 ounces pumpkin puree
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Directions:
- In a large stainless steel pot, combine the olive oil, coconut oil, castor oil, and cocoa butter over medium to low heat. Heat until melted and then move off of burner and allow to cool until around 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Using gloves and goggles, measure lye by pouring it into a zip close bag on a kitchen scale. Set aside and weigh water. Take both outside. Put on a charcoal mask and pour lye into water and stir until it is dissolved. Do not breathe in the fumes. The chemical reaction will end and the fumes will dissipate in a few minutes. Allow to cool to about 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
- When both oils and lye water has cooled, pour lye water into the pot of oils and blend with a stick blender on and off until light trace (It begins to thicken. Learn more about trace here.).
- Add essential oils and blend well.
- Separate the soap into two parts by pouring half into another pot.
- To one half, add pumpkin puree and blend. To the other half, add the ground cinnamon and blend.
- Pour one half of the soap into a prepared mold (lined if necessary). Use a rubber spatula to scrape well. When both halves are thick enough that the second half won’t sink when poured onto the first half, pour slowly into the mold and spread evenly with a rubber spatula. You can pour onto a spatula to “break the pour” if necessary (see “How to Layer Soap” above).
- Cover. Insulate with towels if your home is cool. After 24 hours, remove from mold and cut into bars. If soap is still very soft, leave it in the mold for 12-24 hours and check again. Cure bars in a cool, dry place for 3-6 weeks to harden.
Pumpkin Cinnamon Layer Soap
Equipment
Ingredients
- 10 ounces olive oil
- 6 ounces coconut oil
- 4 ounces castor oil
- 2 ounces cocoa butter
- 5.5 ounces water
- 3 ounces lye
- 0.20 ounce cinnamon leaf essential oil
- 0.20 ounce clove essential oils
- 0.15 ounce nutmeg essential oil
- ¼ cup pumpkin puree
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- In a large stainless steel pot, combine the olive oil, coconut oil, castor oil, and cocoa butter over medium to low heat. Heat until melted and then move off of burner and allow to cool until around 90 degrees Fahrenheit.10 ounces olive oil, 6 ounces coconut oil, 4 ounces castor oil, 2 ounces cocoa butter
- Using gloves and goggles, measure lye by pouring it into a zip close bag on a kitchen scale. Set aside and weigh water. Take both outside. Put on a charcoal mask and pour lye into water and stir until it is dissolved. Do not breathe in the fumes. The chemical reaction will end and the fumes will dissipate in a few minutes. Allow to cool to about 90 degrees Fahrenheit.5.5 ounces water, 3 ounces lye
- When both oils and lye water has cooled, pour lye water into the pot of oils and blend with a stick blender on and off until light trace (It begins to thicken. Learn more about trace here.).
- Add essential oils and blend well.0.20 ounce cinnamon leaf essential oil, 0.20 ounce clove essential oils, 0.15 ounce nutmeg essential oil
- Separate the soap into two parts by pouring half into another pot.
- To one half, add pumpkin puree and blend. To the other half, add the ground cinnamon and blend. Pour one half of the soap into a prepared mold (lined if necessary). Use a rubber spatula to scrape well. When both halves are thick enough that the second half won't sink when poured onto the first half, pour slowly into the mold and spread evenly with a rubber spatula. You can pour onto a spatula to "break the pour" if necessary (see "How to Layer Soap" above).1/4 cup pumpkin puree, 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Cover. Insulate with towels if your home is cool. After 24 hours, remove from mold and cut into bars. If soap is still very soft, leave it in the mold for 12-24 hours and check again. Cure bars in a cool, dry place for 3-6 weeks to harden.
Cranberry Vanilla Swirl Soap
Makes: 2 pounds or 8 four ounce bars
Superfat: 5%
Ingredients:
- 7 ounces olive oil
- 6 ounces babassu oil
- 4 ounces cocoa butter
- 3 ounces castor oil
- 2 ounces organic canola oil
- 2 ounces shea butter
- 6.5 ounces water
- 3.1 ounces lye
- 0.75 ounce vanilla essential oil
- 1/4 cup finely ground cranberries
- 1 Tablespoon rose clay
Directions:
- In a large stainless steel pot, combine the olive oil, babassu oil, cocoa butter, castor oil, organic canola oil, and shea butter over medium to low heat. Heat until melted and then move off of burner and allow to cool until around 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Using gloves and goggles, measure lye by pouring it into a zip close bag on a kitchen scale. Set aside and weigh water. Take both outside. Put on a charcoal mask and pour lye into water and stir until it is dissolved. Do not breathe in the fumes. The chemical reaction will end and the fumes will dissipate in a few minutes. Allow to cool to about 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
- When both oils and lye water has cooled, pour lye water into the pot of oils and blend with a stick blender on and off until light trace (It begins to thicken. Learn more about trace here.).
- Add essential oil and cranberries and blend well.
- Remove 1/4 cup of soap to a separate bowl. Add the rose clay and whisk until there are no lumps.
- Pour the main batch into a prepared mold. When soap is at medium to thick trace, pour the rose colored soap back and forth over the soap in the mold. Insert a dowel rod into one corner to the bottom. Pull the dowel rod back and forth across the mold perpendicular to the direction you poured the rose clay.
- Cover. Insulate with towels if your home is cool. After 24 hours, remove from mold and cut into bars. If soap is still very soft, leave it in the mold for 12-24 hours and check again. Cure bars in a cool, dry place for 3-6 weeks to harden.
Cranberry Vanilla Swirl Soap
Equipment
Ingredients
- 7 ounces olive oil
- 6 ounces babassu oil
- 4 ounces cocoa butter
- 3 ounces castor oil
- 2 ounces organic canola oil
- 2 ounces shea butter
- 6.5 ounces water
- 3.1 ounces lye
- 0.75 ounces vanilla essential oil
- ¼ cup finely ground cranberries
- 1 tablespoon rose clay
Instructions
- In a large stainless steel pot, combine the olive oil, babassu oil, cocoa butter, castor oil, organic canola oil, and shea butter over medium to low heat. Heat until melted and then move off of burner and allow to cool until around 90 degrees Fahrenheit.7 ounces olive oil, 6 ounces babassu oil, 4 ounces cocoa butter, 3 ounces castor oil, 2 ounces organic canola oil, 2 ounces shea butter
- Using gloves and goggles, measure lye by pouring it into a zip close bag on a kitchen scale. Set aside and weigh water. Take both outside. Put on a charcoal mask and pour lye into water and stir until it is dissolved. Do not breathe in the fumes. The chemical reaction will end and the fumes will dissipate in a few minutes. Allow to cool to about 90 degrees Fahrenheit.6.5 ounces water, 3.1 ounces lye
- When both oils and lye water has cooled, pour lye water into the pot of oils and blend with a stick blender on and off until light trace (It begins to thicken. Learn more about trace here.).
- Add essential oil and cranberries and blend well.0.75 ounces vanilla essential oil, 1/4 cup finely ground cranberries
- Remove 1/4 cup of soap to a separate bowl. Add the rose clay and whisk until there are no lumps.1 tablespoon rose clay
- Pour the main batch into a prepared mold. When soap is at medium to thick trace, pour the rose colored soap back and forth over the soap in the mold. Insert a dowel rod into one corner to the bottom. Pull the dowel rod back and forth across the mold perpendicular to the direction you poured the rose clay.
- Cover. Insulate with towels if your home is cool. After 24 hours, remove from mold and cut into bars. If soap is still very soft, leave it in the mold for 12-24 hours and check again. Cure bars in a cool, dry place for 3-6 weeks to harden.
Sugar Cookie Soap
Makes: 2 pounds or 8 four ounce bars
Superfat: 5%
Ingredients:
- 8 ounces tallow or lard (Vegan Alternative: See Note)
- 6 ounces coconut oil
- 6 ounces apricot kernel oil
- 4 ounces cocoa butter
- 8.2 ounces water
- 3.5 ounces lye
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 0.70 ounces vanilla essential oil
Directions:
- In a large stainless steel pot, combine the tallow, coconut oil, apricot kernel oil, and cocoa butter over medium to low heat. Heat until melted and then move off of burner and allow to cool until around 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Using gloves and goggles, measure lye by pouring it into a zip close bag on a kitchen scale. Set aside and weigh water. Take both outside. Put on a charcoal mask and pour lye into water and stir until it is dissolved. Do not breathe in the fumes. The chemical reaction will end and the fumes will dissipate in a few minutes. Allow to cool to about 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
- When both oils and lye water has cooled, pour lye water into the pot of oils and blend with a stick blender on and off until light trace (It begins to thicken. Learn more about trace here.).
- Add essential oil and ground cinnamon and blend well.
- Remove 1/4 cup of soap to a separate bowl. Add the rose clay and whisk until there are no lumps.
- Pour soap into a prepared mold. Cover. Insulate with towels if your home is cool.
- After 24 hours, remove from mold and cut into bars. If soap is still very soft, leave it in the mold for 12-24 hours and check again. Cure bars in a cool, dry place for 3-6 weeks to harden.
Sugar Cookie Soap
Equipment
Ingredients
- 8 ounces tallow Vegan Alternative: See Note
- 6 ounces coconut oil
- 6 ounces apricot kernel oil
- 4 ounces cocoa butter
- 8.2 ounces water
- 3.5 ounces lye
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 0.70 ounce vanilla essential oil
Instructions
- In a large stainless steel pot, combine the tallow, coconut oil, apricot kernel oil, and cocoa butter over medium to low heat. Heat until melted and then move off of burner and allow to cool until around 90 degrees Fahrenheit.8 ounces tallow, 6 ounces coconut oil, 4 ounces cocoa butter, 6 ounces apricot kernel oil
- Using gloves and goggles, measure lye by pouring it into a zip close bag on a kitchen scale. Set aside and weigh water. Take both outside. Put on a charcoal mask and pour lye into water and stir until it is dissolved. Do not breathe in the fumes. The chemical reaction will end and the fumes will dissipate in a few minutes. Allow to cool to about 90 degrees Fahrenheit.8.2 ounces water, 3.5 ounces lye
- When both oils and lye water has cooled, pour lye water into the pot of oils and blend with a stick blender on and off until light trace (It begins to thicken. Learn more about trace here.).
- Add essential oil and ground cinnamon and blend well.1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 0.70 ounce vanilla essential oil
- Remove 1/4 cup of soap to a separate bowl. Add the rose clay and whisk until there are no lumps.
- Pour soap into a prepared mold. Cover. Insulate with towels if your home is cool. After 24 hours, remove from mold and cut into bars. If soap is still very soft, leave it in the mold for 12-24 hours and check again. Cure bars in a cool, dry place for 3-6 weeks to harden.
Notes
Don’t forget to leave a comment about your favorite recipe and any changes you made or fun new ideas.
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