This luxurious chocolate soap recipe is perfect for invigorating morning showers or as a handmade gift. The combination of cocoa and mint not only smells incredible but also offers skin benefits, thanks to the natural properties of cocoa.
Have I mentioned my love of mint chocolate chip ice cream? Because I could eat a whole carton of that stuff anytime, anywhere.
In an effort to avoid doing just that, I made mint chocolate lip balm. And it makes me happy every time I taste it.
So when I started playing around with homemade soap, well, you know where this is going.... I love how decadent and rich the soap looks—and yes, it smells amazing!
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Ingredients
To make your own mint soap recipe, you will need:
- 1 lb shea butter soap base for its moisturizing properties
- 1-2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder for color and mild exfoliation
- 1 tablespoon chopped mint, fresh or dried, for added texture and exfoliation
- ¼ teaspoon peppermint essential oil for fragrance and cooling properties
Instructions
Note: You can also find the basic instructions for making melt and pour soap here because the process is generally the same.
Step 1: Melt soap base
Melt the shea butter soap base in 30 second intervals in the microwave until it is liquified. Use a microwave safe container, like a glass Pyrex measuring cup, that makes it easy to mix and pour.
Stir after every 30 second interval to help everything melt evenly.
Step 2: Add cocoa, mint, and essential oil
After the soap is melted, add the cocoa powder, chopped mint, and peppermint essential oil until it smells like mint chocolate chip ice cream.
Stir together really well. We don't want any big clumps of cocoa powder, so make sure that everything is very well blended before pouring!
Hint: Mix the cocoa powder with a small amount of oil (like coconut or sweet almond oil) to make a paste then add it to the melted soap and stir thoroughly This helps prevent clumping.
Step 3: Pour soap into molds
Pour the soap into your mold(s). Sprinkle a bit more cocoa powder on top.
Honestly, the cocoa powder on top is the best part—it makes this look good enough to eat and contributes to a bit of an exfoliation when using your soap!
If you're feeling fancy, you can even use a toothpick to make some swirly patterns on top—but do whatever you want to do, after all it's your soap.
Step 4: Let soap harden then remove
Let it sit for an hour or so until it completely hardens. Then take it out of the mold and cut into bars.
If you have trouble getting your soap out of the mold, simply pop it in the freezer for a few minutes and it should come right out.
Substitutions
Soap base: Glycerin or goat milk soap bases are ideal due to their clear or white color, which showcases the cocoa powder well and adds moisturizing properties to the soap.
Cocoa powder: You can't really substitute real chocolate for the cocoa powder. Chocolate contains sugars and fats that can go rancid or affect the lather and overall texture of the soap. Cocoa powder is a better choice because it provides the chocolate scent and color without affecting the soap’s stability.
Mint: If you use fresh mint, make sure it's washed and thoroughly dried. You won't really see it much in the soap so feel free to leave it out altogether.
Soap Molds
To save money, I just reuse a plastic or cardboard container for a soap mold. I like milk containers because they make a nice loaf shape.
Then use a knife or a wire clay cutter, like the kind you would find in an art supply shop, to cut the soap into bars. Wire cutters make it super easy to get cleanly cut, even soap bars.
You could also use small silicone molds, like the ones in the baking section! They're perfect for making smaller soaps, aka soaps that look even more like actual chocolate.
Storage + Using Mint Chocolate Soap
Mint chocolate soap made with a melt and pour base typically lasts for about a year if stored in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Wrapping the soap in plastic wrap or storing it in an airtight container can extend its shelf life by preventing moisture loss.
You can use the soap to wash your hands, body, or face, especially if it's made with a gentle soap base and without harsh exfoliants.
Variation: Chocolate Soap Recipe
This chocolate soap is perfect for chocolate lovers! The antioxidants in cocoa provide beneficial skin properties, so not only does it smell great but it's also good for your skin.
Ingredients
- 1 pound melt and pour soap base
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla essential oil oil
- Optional: 1 tablespoon cocoa butter for added moisture and a more intense chocolate fragrance
- Optional: Chocolate chips or cocoa nibs for texture and exfoliation
Instructions
Follow the directions above. If you’ve opted to use cocoa butter, melt it separately and then blend it into the main soap mixture for a richer aroma and extra moisturizing properties.
For more texture, add a few chocolate chips or cocoa nibs to the top of the soap after pouring into your molds and press them into the soap. Break them into smaller pieces first if you like.
Variation: Peppermint Soap Recipe
Creating a peppermint melt and pour soap embedded with pieces of peppermint candy is perfect for festive homemade gifts.
Ingredients
- 1 pound of clear melt and pour soap base (clear base will showcase the candy pieces beautifully)
- ¼ teaspoon peppermint essential oil
- 12 peppermint candies, crushed
Instructions
Place peppermint candies in a plastic bag and gently crush them into small pieces using a rolling pin or hammer. Don't pulverize them into powder; you want visible chunks for texture and visual appeal.
When the soap develops a slight film on top stir in the crushed peppermint candies. The slight cooling helps prevent all the candies from sinking to the bottom or melting too quickly.
If you don't want to stir in the candy pieces, you can create a layered effect by pouring a little soap, allowing it to set slightly, then sprinkling in some candy pieces. Pour more soap on top and repeat as desired.
Troubleshooting
Cocoa powder powder clumps?
To prevent clumping, mix the cocoa powder with a small amount of oil or liquid glycerin to create a paste before adding it to the melted soap base. This helps distribute the cocoa evenly throughout the soap.
Soap not setting up?
If your soap doesn’t set properly, it may be due to too much additional liquid (like oils or colorants). Limit additional liquids to 1-2 tablespoons per pound of soap base or remelt the soap and add a bit more soap base. If it still doesn’t set, putting it in the refrigerator may help.
FAQ
To enhance the chocolate scent, consider adding chocolate or vanilla fragrance oils specifically designed for soap making. You can also add a small amount of cocoa butter for a richer chocolate aroma and additional moisturizing properties.
Absolutely! Adding natural exfoliants like coffee grounds, sugar, or oatmeal not only provides texture and helps with skin exfoliation but also complements the chocolate theme.
In melt and pour soap recipes, adding a preservative is not necessary because the base is already formulated to be stable and safe for use. Adding too many fresh ingredients or too much liquid can introduce bacteria, so keep additives to a minimum and always sanitize your equipment before using.
Homemade Cocoa Mint Soap
Equipment
- Microwave safe bowl or Pyrex measuring cup
- Soap mold
Materials
- 1 pound Shea butter soap base
- 1-2 tablespoons cocoa powder
- 1 tablespoon chopped mint, fresh or dried optional
- ¼ teaspoon peppermint essential oil
Instructions
- Chop the soap base into cubes and melt it in 30 second intervals in the microwave until it is liquefied. Stir after every 30 second interval to help everything melt evenly.
- Add the cocoa powder, chopped mint and a few drops of peppermint essential oil until it smells like mint chocolate chip ice cream.
- Stir well and pour into your mold.
- Sprinkle a bit more cocoa powder on top.
- Let it sit for an hour or so until it hardens. Then take it out of the mold and cut into bars.
Notes
This post was medically reviewed by Dr. Jennifer Haley, a board-certified dermatologist with extensive experience in medical, cosmetic and surgical dermatology. Learn more about Hello Glow’s medical review board here. As always, this is not personal medical advice and we recommend that you talk with your doctor.
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Paballo Motsoeneng says
Hello.
How long does it take for the soap to dry up?
Thank you for the great recipe.
Janet Stockinger says
Can you use goats milk base instead of Shea butter
Hannah Boggs says
Hi. If I don't have fresh mint, will dried mint work or maybe omit and add peppermint essential oil instead? Any suggestions on how much?
Jess says
I have the cocoa butter melt and pour base but I be able to use that?
Stephanie Gerber says
Sure, that will work too!
Nancy says
Thank u...can't wait to make it
Nancy says
Did anyone find out the amount of Shea butter to use?
Stephanie Gerber says
Hi Nancy! I buy the 1-pound bar of shea butter soap base and that's enough to make about a dozen bars (depending on their size). You can find the soap base at craft stores or online.
Ariana Ford says
How much soap base do you need for this? I am going to make it but I am not sure how much soap base you used.
Susan says
I don't know if it is a weird question or something, but can you replace the shea butter by coconut oil? Because shea butter is hard to get where I live..
Thank you x
EBENEZER NSIAH FRIMPONG says
I CAN GET LOTS OF SHEA BUTTER FROM MY END
JUST CALL ME. +2330246368654
Renee Wilson says
This soap looks amazing and I have all the ingredients at hand. One question: Does the cocoa powder make "chocolate milk" out of the bath water?
I'm just wondering if there will be stains on my white washcloths.
Korálka Farebná says
I am a big fan of natural remedies and herbal healing, trying to find an alternative for all the chemicals-so I am looking for an alternative to soap, shampoo etc. but I am questioning myself-HOW can a mixture of something greasy( shea butter and peppermint oil)with a powder(cocoa)remove grease(what a purpose of a soap is)? How can something like this remove natural grease and dirt from your skin, eventually(mainly)your hair? I have tried soap nuts as a detergent and to wash my hands and hair, but the hand made extract is not very concentrated. I am looking for the best all-in-one natural hand-made detergent all my life. Thank you so much for your answer!!!:)
Sally says
My chief complaint about commercially produced scented soaps is that the scent does not linger after rinsing. How long does the scent linger with the homemade soap?
Niki says
I don't know about this particular kind of homemade soap, but I make goats milk soap and I've only had one scent that lingered after rinsing off. The bathroom always smells like it but the skin rarely does. If this one does I REALLY want to try it. The essential oil may make the difference.
Cynthea LaCroix says
Do I have to use Shea base or can I use Glycerin ?
Tina says
DO NOT microwave anything if you want this soap to be beneficial for the skin.. microwaving alters the compounds of the items to a cancer causing compound... and use cacao not cocoa.. there is a difference between the two .. and get your ingredients from a a organic source as well..
GG says
Do you know of a sight online to get organic cacao?
And how much shea base do i need?
Lulu says
OK, wow. I was skimming this post and felt the need to point out to other readers to ignore this advice.
1) If you actually knew what microwaves are and how they work (instead of Googling it and reading all the crap online), then you'd know this is so not true. Not even remotely. It's like someone still being afraid of electricity just because they don't understand it. Don't use a leaky microwave and you are fine. Similar to don't stick scissors in an electrical outlet.
2) And also, as someone who works for one of the largest botanical gardens in the world, I feel I should mention that cocoa powder is just ground cocoa beans, which come from the cacao tree (Theobroma cacao). If someone told you cacao is different from cocoa....well, you've been scammed.
3) However, I do agree we should look for especially fair trade cocoa powder (not the easiest to find in North America) and organic if you can get it. Growing cacao is extremely difficult without pesticides/fungicides, so be prepared to pay. But then I'm a bit of a chocolate snob ;)
Liz York says
Thank you for this.
Terri O says
Not a fan of microwaves (harmful to your health), so can the base be melted on the stove?
gerbermom says
Sure! Just use a double broiler to heat & melt slowly.
Ellen says
What is the shelf life? And should I add citric acid because if the fresh mint ?
gerbermom says
I would say you probably want to use the soap up within 2-3 months. And the citric acid wouldn't hurt but I wouldn't think it's necessary.
ellen says
Is there a recipe for the soapbase? I have some shea butter. Just wondering if I can make it myself. Thanks and I love your recipes. Thank you so much!
Jackie says
Finally a boutique soap that I can make at home! Since I am not going to use lye, this is a perfect homemade recipe. Thank you for sharing! :)
Jessie Rae says
This is such beautiful soap. But it it not "homemade" soap. Melt and pour takes a lot of work still, but the title is misinforming.
Loca_lecky10 says
How much is it to get the base? And where can you get the essential oils???
gerbermom says
The soap base is about $10 (less if you have a coupon). And you can get essential oils in the same section at the craft store.
Trish Bishop says
You can get all your supplies ALOT cheaper at WholesaleSuppliesPlus.com And there is always Free. Shipping with no limit amount! Great supplier!
Cynthea LaCroix says
AWESOME site!!! Thanks
Sal says
Awesome recipe! I was just wondering how much soap base you use, and does the bar come out creamy and moisturizing (I'm assuming it does!) Thanks!
gerbermom says
Great question! I used about 1/3 of the soap base to make this amount. And yes, it's very creamy!
Lia says
Great idea! Is that 1/3 of a cup, of a pound, of a package? Sorry but I just want to make sure before I start. Thanks again!
gerbermom says
It was 1/3 of the shea butter package. Sorry I don't have a set up shot for you to see all of the ingredients! Craft stores sell it in a block (I think it's about 1 pound?) and I cut off the part I needed.
Dusti says
I only saw a 32 oz block of soap bases at Michael's. They were all $10. So that would make the base 1/3 of a two pound block.
cyndi says
How much soap base do you use with the rest of recipe? Thanks
Tan says
My husband really wants to make soap so I'll definitely have to show him this one
Pink Ronnie says
Goodness, they look good enough to eat...
Ronnie xo
Claire @ Claire K Creations says
I love choc-mint ice-cream too Stephanie. There's a shop we go to up the beach and ever since I was little my order has always been the same. In fact I don't think I've ever tried more than about 3 of the flavours. Lucky you were around to stop your kids eating it!
Tonia@thegunnysack says
Chocolate soap? Ummm...hello! You are talking my language!
Stephanie says
Those DO look good enough to eat! Chocolate and mint is one of my favorite flavor combinations!
Laicie says
Oh I love the idea of making soap! And this almost looks good enough to eat, I don't blame your kids!
Kiersten @ Oh My Veggies says
I have all these soap making supplies that I used exactly twice. Which is sad! You have inspired me to dig them out and make this soap. Well, next time I have a Michael's coupon I can use for the base, at least. :)
Angie@Angie's Recipes says
They look almost like some gourmet chocolate bars :-) Thumbs up for you!
Susanna says
These look great, can't wait to try them. They really do look good enough to eat :)
Rachel says
Part of me wants to eat this! Haha
Gloria says
I would try to take a bite too - I bet they smell delicious!
Jen @ Cuddles and Chaos says
I can't believe how easy this sounds! I might have to put this on my crafty gift list!
Seriously Sassy Mama says
Yummy!
Jen says
This looks so yummy! No wonder your kids tried to eat them :)