This candy cane soap smells as nice as it looks! Layers of pink and white glycerin soap come together with crushed candy canes for a cute and easy gift idea this holiday season.
The kids and I made homemade glycerin soap over the summer and it was a lot of fun. I used some of our extra white glycerin blocks to create this soap to go with what I am putting together for Christmas gifts to the boys' teachers this year.
I guess I can't really say that I "made" soap. What I did was buy a bag of glycerin chunks at the craft store, melt them down, add color and a scent, then re-shape them into molds. But it still transformed them into something different and heavenly scented.
I'm no expert when it comes to soap. As you can see the lines aren't perfect. If I knew what I was doing, the lines would be solid. But I'm not sure how to do that and have the layers stay together when it is done. I was afraid if I let each layer dry before adding another that the layers would separate when I went to slice the soap into bars. So I didn't let each layer set up before adding the next one. I just waited until it just started to set up then poured the next color. So there is a mixture of stripes and swirls, but the soap is nice and solid. Perfect for a novice like me.
Right after I poured the last layer I sprinkled the top with a layer of crushed candy canes. I let it sit for an hour, then ran a knife along the edges of my mold (a small loaf pan) and the soap popped right out. I then sliced it into bars with a kitchen knife.
For those wondering about the candy canes: It is merely for decorative purposes and washed off the soap after the first couple of uses. You don't need it, but it looks pretty. It doesn't make your hands sticky either since you are already washing them. Kind of cancels it all out.
Each parchment package has 2 small bars of soap. It really does make your hands smell like candy canes!
If you would like to see how to melt, add scents and colors, and mold glycerin, see our post here. I used red soap coloring (food coloring would work too) and peppermint extract. About ⅛ tsp. for each white layer.
******
Oh how I love my readers! Here is a tip from Michelle on how to create perfect layers when making soap like this:
"Don't worry about your layers they are great! These look good enough to eat.I have played with melt and pour soap before, for distinctive layer just spray some alcohol on the first layer, let it harden, spray again then add your next layer.But again these look divine, so pretty and a great handmade gift."
Thanks Michelle!
If you enjoy making your own beauty products, you may enjoy this collection of homemade beauty gifts that I put together below!
Rachel says
Hi, I am SO excited to make these! I have looked and looked and cannot find the exact recipe...please help lol
Brandy says
Hi Rachel! I didn't use an exact recipe for these. I melted white "melt and pour" glycerine blocks down (you can buy a 2 lb. bag at Michaels) and colored some of them with red soap coloring. Then I layered them in my soap molds! There are some tips at the end of the post for achieving nice smooth layers! It was kind of a learning experience that I made up as I went! 🙂
Darlene in Nova Scotia says
Hi, I love your soap. That candy cane soap is so very pretty. What girl won't want that in her powder room :-).
I love the paper it is wrapped in. If you don't mind me asking, is it parchment or waxed paper.
Love the look.
Thank you.
Darlene
Brandy says
Hi Darlene! It was parchment paper. Thanks for the sweet comment!
Karen says
Did you happen to use a metal/glass/silicone loaf mold?
Brandy says
Hi Karen! I used a small metal loaf pan. Hope that helps!
Karen says
awesome-I don't have to buy anything special! TY!!
Pamela says
Super cute! How many bars of soap did this recipe make?
Brandy says
Hi Pamela, Thanks! this made 6 tiny bars from a mini loaf pan. They were about 3x4".
Jennifer Lathrop says
These look awesome!! Question for you though - to make the "white" did you get the white glycerin bars or the clear? I have the clear, but I'm afraid it won't look white!
Brandy says
Hi Jennifer! I used white bars.
rita0830 says
Love this! Looks so pretty and such a great gift. If you get a chance, please link up to my link party: http://suburbsmama.blogspot.com/2013/11/sunday-linky-36.html
kidosmom says
I have to agree, I think it looks like the layers are just how you planned it. I agree you don't have to tell your mistakes gal. They look great.
Brandy says
Thanks!! They were fun to experiment with and were a happy accident I guess 🙂
Lisa-Jane Johnson says
I'm excited about trying this very soon!
Patsy says
First, I just love your soap, it is so attractive, and who make wonderful gifts at the holiday season. But please help me with one question. Putting crushed candy canes into the soap, how does that wash up? Are there any stickiness from the sugar in the candy? Thank you for sharing this idea. I love it.
Brandy says
Hi Patsy! The candy cane is a decorative feature that washes off after the first few times you use it. It doesn't make your hands too sticky since you are already washing them. You can totally leave it off and it will still smell and work great with the other scents in the layers. Hope that helps!! 🙂
Patsy says
Thanks, Will most likely try it step by step, if you don't seem to notice any problem with the candy, then why not put it in. Thanks for sharing.
Sarah says
I actually like the blurred stripes but in case anyone hasnt said it yet: in order to keep the layers from falling apart, just spray the set layer with rubbing alcohol. Also, if you spray each unset layer it will prevent bubbles.
Brandy@Gluesticks says
Awesome. Thanks Sarah!
Soappurr M says
This is such a wonderful idea for the holiday season. After doing some research I was able to find all the ingredients and the mold needed at http://www.wholesalesuppliesplus.com. They offer free shipping which sold me on purchasing form them. I just wanted to share my great find since you shared this with us.
Heather OCain says
This makes me want to try making soap! Beautiful!
LadyBird says
Hello, I just wanted to let you know how much I enjoy reading your blog & have become a soap newbie as well. These are just lovely as a holiday gifts! How did you create the linings for this soap though?
Brandy says
Hi! I'm not sure what you mean by linings. Do you mean what I wrapped them in? If so, I used freezer paper and bakers twine. If you meant something else, let me know! Sorry, I just want to make sure I answer your question for ya! 🙂
Brandy
Gluesticks
AmandaB_ak says
I used Martha Stewart's Foil+Parchment in One wrap, and it worked great! Parchment on the inside, foil on the outside, and I wrapped with twine and put a Christmas name tag on it. This foil/parchment paper is amazing! It is a little pricier than the normal foil or parchment paper, but well worth it -- http://www.thekitchn.com/pantry-find-foil-and-parchment-136419
Brandy says
Awesome! Thanks for the link and the tip and the link!
Savannah McQueen says
I just wanted to let you know that I am featuring this soap on HammockTracks today.
Brandy says
Thank You!