Handmade cinnamon and orange soap

Handmade soap is always a wonderful treat. A variety of different types of soap packaged in a pretty container makes the perfect gift.

Project Notes
Use a pot with a large base so that the soap will melt quickly.
The soap off-cuts can be melted again and placed in smaller moulds to make smaller soaps. You could also thread a few off-cuts onto a rope to use in the shower.

You will need
• clear soap base
• sharp knife
• large stainless steel pot
• plastic spatula
• fine cinnamon
• cinnamon bark, some broken bits and some left whole
• orange essential oil
• bread tin or soap moulds
• non-stick cooking spray or vegetable oil
• gas blowtorch

To make
1 Cut the soap (available in a cylinder at hardware shops) in slices and then into quarters. Melt over a low heat in the pot. Stir constantly with the spatula and ensure you do not let it froth.
2 Remove from the heat and then stir in the cinnamon powder, broken cinnamon bark and orange essential oil.
3 Spray the bread tin or soap moulds with cooking spray – or wipe with cooking oil – and pour in the soap mixture. Put to one side to set.
4 When the soap has set, remove it carefully from the moulds. If you used a bread tin, use a knife to cut along the sides first, then cut the soap into slices in the tin. Remove the slices one by one and trim into neat squares.
5 For the finishing touch, melt the top of the soap using a gas blowtorch or other open flame and place a whole piece of cinnamon bark on top. Leave to set.