Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Tutorial: Rustic Chevre Soaps

Inspired by handmade fromage de chevre (goat cheese), the rustic texture of these round soap bars is created using cheese cloth. This easy project uses only natural ingredients (with goat's milk soap of course!), and the lather is super creamy thanks to a healthy dose of real honey. Add tea, herbs, or crushed dried flowers for an attractive and slightly exfoliating texture.

Supplies:

10 oz Goats Milk Glycerin Soap Base
1 Tablespoon honey
1/4 teaspoon crushed tea, dried herbs or flowers
8 squares of cheese cloth, cut 4" x 4"
Standard muffin tin
Pastry brush



Steps:

Layer 2 squares of cheese cloth and put them into 4 muffin tins.

Melt the soap base in the microwave (30-45 seconds should be plenty). Stir in honey and tea.

Dip pastry brush in soap and paint the cheese cloth, so it sticks completely to the muffin tin.

Before filling molds, make sure soap has cooled enough so the herbs are suspended in the soap, not floating or sinking.

Fill molds generously. Spray surface with alcohol to pop any surface bubbles (optional).

Allow to harden completely.

Unmold soaps by tugging on the cheese cloth. Peel cloth from bars.

Wrap in fresh cheese cloth and tie with twine for a nice presentation.

You can certainly use any kind of fragrance you like, but the honey adds a nice subtle sweetness that suits the roughness of these bars.

For some great chevre inspiration, search "fromage de chevre" on Flickr.
Enjoy!