Holiday Soaps

Source: Sunset magazine - December 2002

It's a snap to make decorative soap for gifts or your own bathroom by using meltable blocks of soap, such as Soap Expressions, from a craft store. The soap can be tinted or perfumed, if desired with additives available from the soapmaking section of craft stores.

Use a disposable foil pan or an aluminum foil-lined pan to hold melted material. When pressing down on the cookie cutter to create your shape, push gently but firmly.

Cut the soap slabs into 1 x 1-inch chunks, then place them in a glass measuring cup, and melt them in the microwave. We used 1 cup of soap and microwaved it for 1 minute on 100% power, but be sure to follow manufacturer's directions on the soap you purchase.

Pour melted soap into a foil pan or foil-lined 9-inch pie pan. Allow the soap to cool and harden. Use cookie cutters to press out holiday shapes.

Set two or three mini soaps on a dish for guests to use, or wrap soap in small boxes or tissue-filled bags for family and friends.