The Natural Beauty Workshop

Bath Bomb Recipes

Photo by MorganStreet

The bath bomb has come a long way from its spherical beginnings.  The original recipe of acid+base+water has been reinvented countless times.  Nowadays, you can find bath bombs in an almost endless variety of shapes, colors, and themes.  Just look at the recipes we've posted here on The Natural Beauty Workshop over the years.  We've made bath bombs in an amazing rainbow of colors, in a spectrum of scents, and in a dizzying array of shapes.  Have fun browsing our bath bomb recipes, and when you are ready to create some of your own, check out our Guide to Making Bath Bombs, and our Bath Bomb Kits!

Bath Bomb Recipes

• Coco-Lime Bath Cookies
• Easy Bath Tub Fizzies
• Chocolate Peppermint Bath Bombs
• Rainbow Sprinkle Bath Tub Cookies
• Ocean Breeze Bath Bombs
• Milk & Honey Hearts
• Bath Tub Whoopie Pies

Ocean Breeze Bath Bombs

These fresh scented bath bombs are inspired by the crisp, refreshing feeling of sea water.  Drop one in the tub, close your eyes, and imagine yourself on a sandy beach somewhere beautiful.  Sea Salt, Kelp Powder and Coral Calcium add the ocean's skin care benefits to the recipe, while Parsley Powder provides a touch of color.  These bombs are scented with a bright blend of citrus, mint, and juniper, making them a great pick-me-up.

Ocean Breeze Bath Bombs
Makes about 17 ounces of bath bomb mixture, enough for two large, or four small bath bombs

Ingredients

• 1 cup Baking Soda
• ½ cup Citric Acid
• 2 tablespoons Coral Calcium Powder
• 2 tablespoons Kelp Powder
• ¼ cup Sea Salt
• ⅛ tsp Juniper Essential Oil
• ⅛ tsp Grapefruit Essential Oil
• ⅛ tsp Spearmint Essential Oil
• ⅛ tsp Mandarin Essential Oil
• 2 - 4 ounces Witch Hazel 86%

Directions

In a large mixing bowl, combine the Baking Soda, Sea Salt, Coral Calcium, and Kelp Powder.  Mix well, then add the Essential Oils.  Distribute the Essential Oils throughout the ingredients, making sure to break up any clumps in the powders, then add the Citric Acid.  Mix again, than begin to spray the mixture with Witch Hazel, while mixing continuously.  Continue spraying and mixing until the mixture becomes moldable.  You want to get it wet enough to clump together, but not too wet.  Carefully mold the bombs into shape using bath bomb molds, small bowls, or cups.  Allow the bombs to dry for 4 - 6 hours, or until they have hardened completely.  

Usage & Packaging

Bath Bombs should be stored in air tight packaging.  They look lovely in our Cello Bags.  Drop one or one half bomb into a warm tub of water and enjoy.

A Guide to Making Bath Bombs

Though they come in a rainbow of colors, shapes, and sizes, all bath bombs share the same base elements.  A combination of acids and bases provide the fizzing action, while powdered ingredients, such as milk powder, salt, or starch, provide filler.  Finally, a binding agent works to keep everything packed tightly together.  Aromatics, colorants, and other additives are often included as well, but really, you could create a basic bomb from just three ingredients: Baking Soda, Citric Acid, and water.  

While plenty fizzy, such a simple bath bomb would be a little lack luster, especially compared to the amazingly creative bombs being made by artisans and crafters nowadays.  By tweaking each component of a bath bomb, you can create truly uniqe recipes.  We'll go into detail on each element to show you how.

Acid & Base Combo

Theoretically, you could use any skin safe acid and base combination to create the fizzy bubbles that bath bombs are known for, but the classic pairing of Baking Soda and Citric Acid is tried and true.  Start with a ratio of two parts Baking Soda to one part Citric Acid, and you are guaranteed to pack your bomb with fizzy action.  The acid and base combo should make up between 60% and 90% of your total bath bomb recipe.

Powdered Ingredients

While not strictly necessary, powdered ingredients help to improve the benefits and texture of bath bombs. so I highly recommend including them in your recipe.  Almost any skin safe powder can be used to amp up a bath bomb, but the most commonly used are Milk Powders, Salts, Starches, Clays, Honey Powder, Grain Powders, and Herb Powders.  Choose your ingredients according to your imagination.  Powdered ingredients can fill up to 40% of your total bath bomb recipe.

Colorants

Bath bombs are quite versatile when it comes to color.  You can use both water based and oil dispersible colorants, but they must be used in different ways.  Water Based Dyes, which are usually liquid, can be added to water based binding agents, or they can be added to the powdered ingredients using salt.  Dye the binding agents or salts before adding them to the recipe.  Liquid or powdered, oil dispersible colorants, such as Oxides, Micas, or Oil Dispersible D&C Dyes can be added to oil based binding agents, or they can be mixed in with almost any powdered ingredients.  The amount of colorant that you add to the recipe can be adjusted to yield different shades of color.  Just remember that using too much colorant could dye skin and bath fixtures.  When in doubt, use less.

Something to keep in mind when choosing your colorants is the nature of each type of colorant.  D&C and FD&C Dyes provide bright, bold color, but they can fade and bleed over time.  Micas and Oxides are less likely to bleed.

You can also incorporate color into your bath bombs by working with naturally colored powdered ingredients.  Many Clays and Herbs yield beautiful colors when included in bath bomb recipes. 

Aromatics

Scenting bath bombs is equally versatile.  The ingredients most commonly used to scent bath bombs are Fragrance Oils and Essential Oils, but bath bombs can also be scented with Absolutes, Attars, or CO2 Extracts.  Light scents can even be added by using an aromatic binding agent such as Hydrosol or Floral Water.  Finally, aromatic oils and butters can also help lend natural scents.  Ingredients like Cocoa Butter or Organic Virgin Coconut Cream Oil can add a subtle touch of scent to bath bombs.  

When scenting your bath bombs, keep skin safety in mind.  You should never use more Essential Oil or Fragrance Oil than is safe for one bath.  Try to keep your aromatics at a ratio of 1 - 5% of your total recipe.

Additives

Visual elements,  such as flower petals, sugar decorations,  or whole herbs should be included with the powdered ingredients when calculating your formula.  These ingredients can be added in with the other powders, or they can be embedded during shaping or molding.

Binding Agents

Pulling this all together are your binding agents.  There are two types of binding agents commonly used in bath bombs, oil and water. Whichever agent is used, it should make up between 10% and 20% of your total recipe.

Oil Based Binding Agents

Hard Butters and Oils, such as Cocoa Butter, Shea Butter, or Coconut Oil, can be used to bind bath bomb ingredients without setting off their chemical reaction.  They also add moisturising benefits to the bombs.  Because these kinds of bombs will only harden when the oils cool and set, they are best molded individually.  With a little practice, these types of bath bombs can be shaped with ballers or scoops, but it can be a little tricky.  When using these binding agents, your bombs are likely to be softer and more fragile than when using water based binding agents.

Water Based Binding Agents

Because water sets off the chemical reaction within bath bombs, it makes using a water based wetting agent more than a little tricky.  However, when done right, it results in rock hard bath bombs that are virtually indestructable.  The hardness can vary depending on technique, ingredients, and mold shapes.

As mentioned earlier, any water based ingredient can be used as this type of binding agent.  Hydrosol, Floral Water, or plain water are the best to use.  It can also be helpful to add a little alcohol to the agent to ensure that it dries quickly.  

Assembly

Start off by preparing all of your components individually.  Combine your powdered ingredients, and create your binding agent.  Next, slowly add the binding agent to the powders, continually stirring to keep the ingredients moving.  If you are using an oil based binding agent, simply drizzle the liquid in a little at a time.  For a water based binding agent, using a spray bottle works best.  Wet the mixture a little at a time until it reaches the consistency of snow.  The mixture should pack and bind in your hands, but it should not be too wet.  When you've reached the right consistency, pack the mixture into molds, or shape it with scoops or ballers.  Allow the bombs to air dry for 3 to 6 hours, and then should be packaged in air tight containers.  

Basic Recipe

Use this basic formula to create your own unique bath bomb recipes!

• 1 part Citric Acid
• 2 parts Baking Soda
• 1 part Powdered Ingredients
• 10 - 20% Binding Agent
• 5% Aromatics
• Color as desired

Natural Beauty Workshop Recipes

We've shared some wonderful bath bomb formulas over the years. Check out the following recipes for inspiration!

• Chocolate Peppermint Bath Bombs
• Milk & Honey Hearts
• Bath Tub Whoopie Pies
• Easy Bath Tub Fizzies
• Coco Lime Bath Cookies
• Rainbow Sprinkle Bath Tub Cookies

Usage

Using a bath bomb is the funnest, and easiest step.  Simply drop the bomb into a warm tub of water and enjoy the bubbles and scent. 

Bath Bomb Ingredient Kits

From Nature With Love carries two great ingredient kits to help you get started. Each kit comes with Citric Acid, Baking Soda, a copy of Elaine Stavert's Bath Bomb Book, and a variety of additional ingredients.

Our All Natural Bath Bomb Kit comes with a variety of natural herbs, clays, and aromatics that you can use to create beautiful, eco-friendly bath bombs. 

Our Classic Colors & Scents Bath Bombs Kit includes a selection of fun Colorants and Fragrance Oils. Use this kit to create bright colored, strong scented bath bombs.

Making Powdered Milk Baths

The notion of bathing a beauty queen in buttermilk the night before her big pageant may seem a little wacky, maybe even extreme.  But folks in early Americana may have been on to something with that particular tradition.  Buttermilk, and other dairy products, contain a gentle exfoliator called lactic acid.  This mild acid can gently loosen, and even dissolve hardened sebum, and dead skin, allowing it to be gently buffed away with the help of a washcloth or body brush.  It can also help to soothe irritation, and moisturize dry skin.  This leaves skin with a fresh, healthy glow, so radiant that it just might win you that pink satin sash after all.  

Milk Bath recipes are generally made up of two parts Milk Powder, one part Grain Powder, and a variety of optional Additives.  They can also be scented with the help of Essential Oils, Fragrance Oil, Absolutes, or CO2 Extracts.  

Milk Powders
The heart of any Milk Bath recipe is, of course, the Milk Powder.  Milk Powder comes in many varieties.  Here is a little background info on each:

Whole Milk Powder
The classic, Whole Milk Powder provides a skin nourishing bounty of vitamins and minerals, with minimal dairy aroma.  It pairs wonderfully with almost any aroma or fragrance.  Whole Milk Powder now comes in an Organic Variety as well.

Buttermilk Powder
Buttermilk contains a higher portion of acids than Whole Milk Powder, boosting its exfoliative powers.  It also has a slightly sour scent that can be covered up my most aromas and fragrances.

Goat's Milk Powder
The most pungent of Milk Powders, Goat's Milk Powder must be fragranced with its natural aroma in mind.  Luckily, it pairs nicely with strong aromas, such as Lavender.  It is very high in vitamins A, B, and E, boasting a beta carotene content that is three times higher than Whole Milk.  Due to a complex blend of helpful acids, Goat's Milk Powder is by far the most superior of the Milk Powders when it comes to hydration, exfoliation, and nutrition.  

Coconut Milk Powder
Coconut Milk Powder makes a delightful alternative for conventional Milk Powders in Milk Bath recipes.  It's yummy Coconut Scent, and creamy consistency is a pleasure to use.  Keep in mind, however, that this ingredient is not suitable as a vegan alternative, due to the presence of milk proteins in its ingredients. 

Yogurt Powder
Yogurt Powder posesses very similar properties to Whole Milk Powder, and can help to cleanse, moisturize and exfoliate the skin.  Try pairing Yogurt Powder with fruity scents or ingredients to create Bath Smoothies!

Grain Powders
Powdered Grains add soothing properties to Milk Baths, amping up their beauty boosting abilities, and making the bath more pleasant.  While the classic ingredient is Oat Flour (or fine Oatmeal) there are a number of possible ingredients that could be used to create a unique Milk Bath recipe.

Oat Flour, Fine
A classic ingredient for skin care, Oat Flour lends soothing properties to Milk Baths.  It has little to no aroma or color, making it perfect for inclusion in specialty recipes.  Oat Flour is also available in an Organic variety.

Rice Powder, Fine
Finely milled White Rice Powder posesses natural starches that will help turn the bath into a milky white wonderland.  In Milk Bath Recipes, it should be used in smaller proportions than Oat Flour, since its fine grain will not disperse as readily at Oat Flour, and can leave a grainy feeling on the bottom of the tub. 

Nut Flours & Meals
Chickpea Flour or Almond Flour can add nutritive benefits to Milk Bath formulations, but should not be added directly to the tub.  Since these Nut Ingredients will not disperse into the bath water well, they can leave the bottom of the tub scratchy, and unpleasant.  To include these ingredients, pack them into a Tea Ball or a Tea Bag, allowing the properties, but not the texture of the Nut Ingredients into the bath water. 

Additives
Many nutritive ingredients can be added to Milk Baths to enhance them.  Other ingredients are added to help increase the slip or flow of the finished product.

Honey Powder
Honey is an excellent natural cleanser, and a classic addition to Milk Bath recipes.  Honey Powder makes it easy to include honey in your recipe.  This spray dried powder is blended to make it free flowing, and easy to use.  Honey Powder is also available in an Organic variety.

Herbs
Finely powdered Herbs can be added to Milk Baths to enhance their properties, increase their beauty, or add scent.  Since Herb Powders don't disperse fully into bath water, it may be a good idea to include them inside a Tea Ball or a Tea Bag to keep them from making the tub bottom scratchy or uncomfortable.  If you are using a Tea Ball or Tea Bag, you can use whole herbs as well as powders.

Salts
Generally, Milk Baths are not Salt based, but sometimes Salts are included in the recipe.  Some salts, such as Bolivian Pink, or Himalayan Pink, can add beauty and color.  Others, such as Dead Sea Salt, can add rich mineral content.  The most highly used in Milk Baths is Dendritic Salt, which is often used as a carrier for aromatics. We'll discuss that more when we talk about scenting Milk Baths.

Aloe Vera Spray Dried Powder
Spray Dried Aloe Vera Powder is dehydrated juice from the aloe plant.  This soothing ingredient can be easily included in Milk Baths, as it dissolves readily in water. 

Corn Starch
Corn Starch is sometimes added to Milk Bath recipes to help thicken and soften the bath water, as well as ensure the free flowing nature of the finished powder.  

Kaolin Clays
Gentle Kaolin Clays are perfect for adding detoxifying properties to a Milk Bath.  Due to their mild nature, Kaolin Clays don't tend to over dry most skin types.  They come in a lovely variety of colors, which can add beauty to your Milk Bath as well. 

Coral Calcium
Our responsibly harvested Coral Calcium contains a dizzying array of nutritive minerals.  Add this powder to your Milk Bath to amp up its nutritive value.

Scenting Your Milk Bath
The best way to add a scent to your Milk Bath is with the help of a carrier ingredient.  Dendritic Salt and Baking Soda both work quite well.  Simply mix your aromatic with a few tablespoons of either Denritic Salt or Baking Soda until it has been fully absorbed.  Then, add the mixture to the rest of your Milk Bath.  You can use any type of skin safe aromatic you like in your Milk Bath, but be sure to go easy on the dosage when it comes to Essential Oils.  The user will be soaking in a hot tub, both inhaling the fumes, and coming into contact with the Oils topically.  A little will go a long, long way.  For this purpose, we recommend adding no more than 2% Fragrance or Essential Oil to a Milk Bath's total weight or volume. 

Base Recipe
Use this simple base formula to create your own amazing Milk Bath recipes from scratch!

• 2 cups Milk Powder
• 1 cup Oat Flour or 1/4 cup Rice Powder, Fine
• Up to 1/2 cup Honey Powder, Kaolin Clay, Salt, or Corn Starch
• Up to 2 tablespoons Aloe Vera Spray Dried Powder, Coral Calcium, or Herbs
• 1/4 cup Dendritic Salt or Baking Soda with up to 2 teaspoons Essential Oil or Fragrance Oil mixed in

This recipe should be used at a rate of 2 to 4 tablespoons per bath.

Cappuccino Milk Bath

This delicious scented milk bath combines skin soothing Oat Flour with gently exfoliating Milk Powder to create a luscious, skin pleasing combination that you and your tub will love.  The sweet, familiar aroma of our Vanilla Frappuccino Fragrance Oil adds an indulgent twist to this recipe, but it can also be made with all natural aromatics.  Treat yourself, or a fellow latte lover to this yummy bath time treat.

Cappuccino Milk Bath 
Makes 1 20 oz. (by volume) Container

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup Baking Soda
• 1/4 cup Dendritic Salt
• 1 cup Oat Flour, Fine
• 1 cup Whole Milk Powder
• 2 tablespoons Cocoa Powder
• 1/2 ounce Vanilla Frappuccino Fragrance Oil*

Directions
In a medium sized mixing bowl, combine the Baking Soda and Dendritic Salt, and stir well.  Measure and pour 1/2 ounce of Vanilla Frappuccino Fragrance Oil into the bowl and mix it well to disperse the oil.  Next, add 1 cup of Oat Flour and 1 cup of Whole Milk Powder and stir again, making sure to break up any clumps.  Measure 1/2 cup of the mixture and set it aside in a smaller bowl.  Add two tablespoons of Cocoa Powder to the large portion of mixture and stir it well to disperse its color.  You can add more Cocoa Powder if you want the color of the powder to be more dramatic.  Spoon the brown mixture into the container first, followed by the white portion of mixture.  Make sure to tap the powder down as you are filling the container so that you can fill it completely.

Usage & Packaging
This recipe was created for use with our 3x6 Acetate Rounds, but it would look lovely in almost any tall, clear jar.  Make your batch look extra scrumptious by adding a Wooden Scoop, a Brown Ribbon, and our Printable Tags.  Download them here: Download Cappuccino Milk Bath Labels

*To create an all natural version of this recipe, substitute our Roasted Coffee Oil and a few drops of Vanilla Absolute for the Fragrance Oil.

Bath Tub Fairy Dust

Dazzle your favorite fairy fan with a jar of sparkling, scented, Bath Tub Fairy Dust.  These simple Bath Salts look stunning when packaged in our Round Bail Jars.  Grab a corresponding ribbon, a little tinsel, and a wooden scoop and you have a gift fit for a Fairy Queen.  These four easy recipes can made individually or layered.  Packaged in smaller jars, they make great sets.

Pink Fairy
1 Cup Epsom Salt
1 Cup Bolivian Pink Salt, Fine
1/2 Teaspoon Silver Sparkle Mica
2 Drops Bergamot Essential Oil
2 Drops Geranium Essential Oil
1 Drop Rose Absolute or 2 Drops Rose Essential Oil

Blue Fairy
1 Cup Epsom Salt
1 Cup Dead Sea Salt, Fine
1 Pinch Cobalt Mica
1/2 Teaspoon Silver Sparkle Mica
5 - 6 Drops Lavender Essential Oil

Green Fairy
1 Cup Epsom Salt
1 Cup Dead Sea Salt, Fine
1/2 Teaspoon Silver Sparkle Mica
1 - 3 Pinches Avocado Mica
2 Drops Petitgrain Essential Oil
2 Drops Mandarin Essential Oil
2 Drops Ylang Ylang Essential Oil

White Fairy
1 Cup Epsom Salt
1 Cup Dead Sea Salt, Fine
1/2 Teaspoon Silver Sparkle Mica
3 Drops Yuzu Essential Oil
3 Drops Vanilla Absolute

Note: To make these Salts a little more affordable, try using Fragrance Oils in place of Essential Oils.

Bath Tub Whoopie Pies

Originally, I hail from Maine.  Up north, in the snowier regions, there aren't many things that can warm your frost bitten heart during a long Maine winter better than a Whoopie Pie.  It is almost as if someone designed them specifically to bring light, joy, and a touch of sweetness into those dark corners of winter time.  If you ask my mother, they were designed to use up extra cake batter by thrifty Bangor bakers.  The jury is still out on exactly who lays claim to inventing these classic New England confections.  However, there is one thing I am sure of.  Noone makes them like my mother does.  I would have to say that our original family recipe can't be beat.

Or can it? I have taken a bit of liberty here and altered the classic Whoopie Pie into something more bath tub friendly. These sweet little cakes might smell delicious and even look delicious but they are not meant for nibbling. These particular pies are 100% fizzy-licious.

Bath Tub Whoopie Pies

This is a three part recipe. So much so, that the third part will have to be completed at least 24 hours after the first. To start this recipe, we'll begin with the "chocolate cookies" that make up the top and bottom of the Whoopie Pies.

Phase One: Making Cookies

Ingredients 

Dry Ingredients
3/4 cup Epsom Salt
1 cup Baking Soda                   
1/2 cup Citric Acid                    
1/2 cup Whole Milk Powder            
1/2 cup Oat Flour, Fine       
1/2 cup Cocoa Powder   
1 teaspoon Umber Oxide             

Wet Ingredients
1 ounce Organic Virgin Coconut Oil
2 ounces Cocoa Butter, Regular
1/4 ounce Dark Chocolate Supreme
Fragrance Oil                  

Directions
Combine all dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Stir the ingredients very well. There should be no clumps in the mixture. To achieve a completely even color, as shown in the picture, you may need to put the powders in a food processor, blender or other closed topped mixer.

Melt your Cocoa Butter in a double boiler, or in the microwave. If you use a microwave to melt your Cocoa Butter keep a close eye on it. Microwave in short 5 second bursts and mix well in between each burst of heat. In small mixing bowl combine the melted Cocoa Butter with your other wet ingredients. Stir well.

Slowly pour your liquid ingredients into the container with your dry powders. Stir this mixture well, making sure to distribute the moisture quickly and evenly.Add just enough liquid to make the mixture packable.  This is a similar technique to making Bath Bombs.

Cover a baking sheet or sturdy tray with a sheet of waxed paper. With clean hands, knead the Whoopie Pie mixture. Make small balls of "dough" with your hands* They should be roughly the size of a clementine or a small lime. Separate each ball of dough into two equal portions, making each portion into it's own smaller ball of dough. Gently press the balls of dough onto the cookie sheet. Use your fingers to press them into small circles or domes. Keep each set of two cookies together so that you can match them up during phase two of the recipe.

Allow your cookies to dry for  about 24 to 48 hours. The longer they sit, the better. They will become harder and more durable as time passes. Make sure your cookies sit in a cool, dry place.  Humidity can be disastrous to this recipe.

*Note: If your "dough" is not sticking together try adding a little more melted Cocoa Butter to your mixture. If it is too slimy to work with, try adding more Oat Flour.

Phase Two: The Icing on the Cake

Ingredients
1 cup Shealoe Butter                   
1 teaspoon White Kaolin Clay        
1 teaspoon Cornstarch               
2 teapsoons Beeswax, White    
1 teaspoon Buttercream Fragrance Oil

Melt the Beeswax in a double boiler. Once it has completely melted, remove from heat and add the Shealoe Butter.  Shealoe must be melted gently or it can be damaged.  Make sure to mix it continually as it melts.  When the Shealoe has liquefied,  add the Cornstarch and the Kaolin Clay to the double boiler, continually whipping as the mixture cools.

As soon as the mixture in the double boiler is completely mixed and uniformly melted, pour the contents into a large mixing bowl.  Beat the mixture until it becomes cool using an electric mixer or a whisk.  When the mixture cools to room temperature add the Buttercream Fragrance Oil and mix once more.  The mixture will not set up and harden as soon as it becomes cool, this can take up to twenty four hours.  While the mixture is cool, but still very soft, transfer it into a pastry bag.  Make sure the tip and the open end of the bag are properly sealed and leave your mixture in a cool dry place until it is ready for the next phase of the recipe.  Leaving the mixture in the refrigerator is unnecessary as it may cause the "frosting" to become too hard to use.

Phase Three: All Together Now

Over the next twenty four to forty eight hours you should check your cookies periodically to see how quickly they are hardening up. When they are firm enough to pick up, turn over and handle without crumbling they are ready for the final phase of the recipe.*

Also keep an eye on your "frosting". If you made it the same day that you made your "cookies" it should be quite firm by the time your cookies have hardened.  Apply a frosting tip to your filled pastry bag to get started.  You'll be frosting every other cookie, leaving half of the cookies to top the Whoopie Pies.  Start frosting from the center of your cookie, drawing a swirl to the outside edge.  It won't take very much frosting for each Whoopie Pie.  When your cookies are frosted, take their corresponding un-frosted cookie and place it on top.  This completes the Whoopie Pies!  You may want to give them an extra day or two after you frost them before giving them out or attempting to ship them anywhere.  That should give them plenty of time to harden up.

*Note: Due to the humidity or dryness of the air this hardening time may vary. If the weather is too hot or humid this recipe may fail.

Usage
Using these sweet little treats is as easy as pie. Just drop one Bath Tub Whoope Pie into the bath tub for a deliciously fizzy treat.  To make your treats last longer, try using 1/2 a Pie at a time.

Packaging
Packaging Bath Tub Whoopie Pies can be almost as fun as making them. Cello bags tied with colorful ribbons or bakery and candy boxes would make lovely presentations. Just be careful to mark them well or someone is bound to take a bite! It is also important to keep the Whoopie Pies dry.  Make sure to use packaging that is as air tight as possible.

 

 

**Note: To create an all natural version of this recipe simply leave out the fragrance oils and colorants. The natural color of the Cocoa Powder and the aroma of the Cocoa Butter will provide a hint of chocolate scent and brown pigment. Also, if you would like to make a vegan variation, the Beeswax can be substituted for 1 teaspoon of Candelilla Wax. The Whole Milk Powder can also be replaced with Coconut Milk Powder or additional Cornstarch. Please be aware that making any changes such as these to the original recipe will alter the results.

Earth Day & Green Goddess Bath Melts

Happy Earth Day, everyone!  Earth Day is a very special day here, at From Nature With Love.  It is a day to love and appreciate our planet, and to remind ourselves that we are all responsible for keeping it safe.  Earth Day is the perfect day to begin a new green habit, sign up for some volunteer work, or make a change in your home or lifestyle.  Visit The Earth Day Network for some ideas on how you can make Earth Day special.

Another great way to observe Earth Day is to do some eco-friendly crafting!  The folks at CraftStylish.com have dedicated the month of April to eco-friendly and nature inspired crafts.  There are loads of great projects that incorporate re-used materials, including clothing, home decor, and accessories! CraftStylish.com also featured a special Natural Beauty Workshop Recipe that is perfect for Earth Day, Green Goddess Bath Melts!

These all natural, green as can be Bath Melts are made with moisturizing Cucumber Seed, Babassu, and Organic Virgin Coconut Cream Oils, and are topped with dried Jasmine Flowers.  They are scented with a bright, feminine combination of Yuzu and Ylang Ylang Essential Oils.  To check out the complete recipe, PLUS two other amazing, all natural Bath Melt recipes, visit the following article featured on CraftStylish.com:

How to Make Garden Flower Bath Melts

Milk & Honey Hearts

These hunky Honey Hearts fizz in the tub, filling the water with soothing Oatmeal, Milk, and Honey Powders.  They can be scented with our very popular Oatmeal, Milk & Honey Fragrance Oil, or left unscented for an all natural bath bomb.  Milk & Honey Hearts make awesome Valentine's Day Gifts, but are also great treats for loved ones all year round.  Try the same recipe in another one of our fun shaped Soap Molds to create different kinds of Milk & Honey Bath Bombs.

Milk & Honey Hearts
Makes about 6 large Bath Bombs

Ingredients
1 cup Citric Acid
2 cups Baking Soda
3 tablespoons Honey Powder
3 tablespoons Fine Oatmeal
3 tablespoons Whole Milk Powder
3 tablespoons Ground Calendula Petals
1 - 2 ounces Witch Hazel
1/2 - 1 teaspoon Oatmeal, Milk & Honey Fragrance Oil* (Optional)

Special Equipment
Spray Bottle
Heart Shaped Soap Mold

 Directions
In a large mixing bowl, add the Baking Soda and Fragrance Oil.  Stir well, making sure to mix the Fragrance Oil into the Baking Soda completely.  Next, add the Honey Powder, Fine Oatmeal, Whole Milk Powder, and Calendula Petals, carefully breaking up any clumps.  Add the Citric Acid and mix well.  Now that the powdered ingredients have been combined, you'll need to wet them using Witch Hazel.  Put the Witch Hazel into a sprayer bottle.  This will allow you to add a tiny amount of liquid at a time.  Spritz the mixture about 10 times, then immediately stir.  Repeat this step until the mixture starts to become slightly damp and packable.  (Between 10 -15 times) Getting the consistency just right can take some practice.  The mixture needs to be wet enough to stick together when it is packed firmly into a mold, but if it is too wet it will begin to fizz prematurely, ruining the bath bombs. 

Once the mixture is at the right stage, use your hands to pack it into the Heart Shaped Soap Molds.  Pack the mixture as tightly as possible, but leave about 1/4 inch of space in the top of each cavity.  If the bomb mixture is too moist it will need this room to expand.  Allow the bath bombs to dry and harden for at least 12 hours before removing them from the molds.  After they are unmolded, they may need a few more hours to harden completely.  Once they have hardened they should be packaged in an airtight bag or plastic wrap.

To Use
These massive Bath Bombs can be broken in half or used whole in a warm bath.

* For all natural bath bombs, try adding your favorite Essential Oil instead.

Rose Bud Bath Melts

These lovely little Bath treats pack plenty of romance into tiny foil cups.  In this decadent recipe, each Melt is topped with a single rose bud, and scented with heavenly Rose Otto Essential Oil.  Alternatively, you can substitute Rose Fragrance Oil for a more affordable version.  Adding Red Jojoba Wax Beads is also optional.  We created two batches, one colored with Red Jojoba Wax Beads, and one left without color.  Both batches look beautiful, and create a striking presentation when arranged side by side.

Rose Bud Bath Melts
Makes between 8 - 10 melts

Ingredients
1 teaspoon Jojoba Esters MP70
1/4 teaspoon Red Jojoba Wax Beads (optional)
1 ounce Babassu Oil
1 ounce Coconut Oil
1 ounce Passionfruit (Maracuja) Oil
1 tablespoon Fine Colloidal Oatmeal (sifted)
8 - 10 Pink Rose Buds
1/2 teaspoon - 1 teaspoon Rose Otto Essential Oil*
8 - 10 Small Foil Cups

 Directions
Begin by covering a baking sheet or platter with wax paper or parchment paper, then set it aside.  In a double boiler, gently heat the Jojoba Esters (and optionally, the Red Jojoba Wax Beads) until fully melted.  Next, add the Babassu and Coconut Oils and heat until they are fully melted as well.  Add the Colloidal Oatmeal to the hot mixture.  This works best if it is sifted through a fine mesh strainer or flour sifter as it is added.  Stir the mixture well, then remove it from heat.  Add the Passionfruit Oil, and the Essential Oil and stir well.  Carefully pour the mixture into the foil cups.  If you fill the cups completely you should have enough for about 8 melts, but I recommend leaving a 1/4 inch or so of space in each cup.  If you do this, you should have enough for about 10 cups.  Allow the Melts to cool for about 5 - 10 minutes.  The Melts should thicken as they cool, leaving a firm layer on the top.  The time that this will take will vary depending on your room temperature.  After this layer forms, carefully place on Rose Bud in each cup.  Allow the Melts to set for another hour or two before attempting to move them.

Usage & Packaging
Rose Bud Bath Melts should be used one at a time.  Simply unwrap the melt and pop it into a warm bath.  The Essential Oil will fill the bathroom with its wonderful aroma while the moisturizing oils begin to melt in the bath water.  These Bath Melts look beautiful when packaged in small candy or gift boxes.  Check out your local craft supply or baking shop for small boxes.  Ribbons, stickers, and even fresh flowers can be used to enhance the presentation of your melts, especially when giving them as a romantic gift!

* Red Rose Fragrance Oil makes an affordable substitute for Rose Essential Oil.