Pure Coconut Oil Soap

It has been nearly a decade since I took a class on how to make bar soap.  By the end of the class, I was smitten with the process and with the resulting product. Finally, the mystery of soap making had been revealed and the process was far easier than expected. As I gained confidence, I created my own recipes as well as trying recipes shared from friends.  But one particular blog, kept my love affair with homemade soap alive and well.  It was (and is), the Nerdy Farm Wife.

I am thrilled to have a copy of Simple & Natural Soapmaking by Jan Berry of The Nerdy Farm Wife. And with Jan’s permission, provide the Pure Coconut Oil Bar recipe from her book. Besides this wonderful recipe, there are so many positive things about her book: the color photos, the easy to follow instructions, the variety of recipes, and great instructions on how to safely handle lye as well as information on how to use lye calculators.

Pure Coconut Oil Bars Recipe

One of the things I like best about using coconut oil in soaps is that it creates such a wonderful lather. You will like it too!

Yield: 7 to 8 bars (2.5 lbs/1.13 KG)

• 8.76 oz (248 g) distilled water
• 4.10 oz (116 g) sodium hydroxide (lye)
• 28 oz (794 g) coconut oil (100%)

Make the Lye Solution

Wearing protective gloves and eyewear (such as goggles or glasses), carefully stir the lye into the distilled water. Set the lye solution aside in a safe place to cool for about 30 – 40 minutes or until the temperature drops to around 100 to 110F (38 – 43C).

Prepare the Coconut Oil

Gently heat the coconut oil until melted.

Mix Together

Pour the lye solution into the melted coconut oil.

Using a combination of hand stirring and immersion blender, stir the soap until it reaches trace. (Trace is when the new soap batter has fully emulsified and thickened to the point that when soap batter drops from the immersion blender or other stirring device onto the surface of the soap batter in the container, that the outline or shape of the batter droplets remains momentarily.  This stage reminds me of homemade homemade pudding).

At trace, pour into a prepared mold.  Cover lightly with a sheet of wax or freezer paper, then add towel or light blanket. Peek at the soap every so often; if it starts developing a crack, uncover and move to  a cooler location.

Keep the soap in the mold for 24 hours or until it is easy to remove. Pure coconut oil soap hardens quickly, so it is best to slice it into bars soon after making or use individual molds. Cure on coated cooling racks or sheets of wax paper about 4 weeks before using.

Note 1: this recipe will make a beautiful white bar of soap.

Note 2: this recipe is vegan friendly.

So folks, I urge to you to step into the world of making soap. Jan’s book, Simple & Natural Soapmaking is a must-have for anyone.