Cocoa-Mint Soap

1. Heat the Fats/Oils- In a large pot, combine the Olive Oil, Cocoa Butter, and Babassu Oil. Heat over medium-low heat until they are melted and incorporated. Remove from heat and allow to cool to 90 to 100F.
2. Mix the Lye Water- Add the lye crystals to the water and stir until dissolved. Allow to cool to 90 to 100F. If the oils and lye water cool at different rates , you can use a cold- or hot bath in the sink.
3. Prepare the Mold- While the oils and lye water cool, line the mold with parchment paper.
4. Combine and Bring to Trace- When both the oils and lye water are 90 to 100F, carefully pour the lye water in to the oils. Use a stick blender (or hand mixer) to mix for 2 to 3 minutes and let the mixture rest for 4 to 5 minutes. Repeat mixing and resting until light trace.
5. Mix in Natural Additives-When the soap reaches light to medium trace, add the peppermint essential oil and blend for 30 seconds.
6. Mix in Colorants- Transfer ½ cup of the soap to a separate bowl. Add the cocoa powder and whisk until there are no lumps.
7. Mold the Soap and Swirl- When the soap is at medium trace (just a little thinner than pudding), pour the main batch of cream color soap into the mold. Pour the cocoa soap in a horizontal line back and forth over the top of your batch, making stripes. Insert a chop-stick into the batter until it reaches the bottom of the mold. Drag the chopstick vertically back and forth across the length of the mold. Stop there or add extra swirls by returning the chopstick to the starting point and retracing your steps, making small circles across the length of the soap. Cover with lid or parchment paper and insulate with a blanket for 24 hours.
8. Cut and Cure- Remove the soap from mold. If it seems to soft to remove , wait another 12 to 24 hours before removing. Cut the soap into 12 (4-ounce) bars. Allow the bars to cure in a well-ventilated location for 4 to 6 weeks.

Ingredients:
13 oz. Olive Oil
10 oz. Cocoa Butter
9 oz. Babassu Oil
4.2 oz. Lye
12.2 oz. Filter Water
1 oz. Peppermint Essential Oil
2 Tbsp. Cocoa Powder