How To Make Gingerbread Soap For The Perfect Handmade Gift

The Outdoor Apothecary is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more

In a world that often feels driven by consumerism, I believe it’s time to normalize the beauty of handmade gifts. In my family, we’ve always cherished handmade treasures over store-bought presents. There’s a certain charm and authenticity that comes with gifting something you’ve made with your own hands—it feels more meaningful. We often include not just handmade items, but also thrifted or secondhand finds in our gifts. It’s a tradition that’s thoughtful, sustainable, and, honestly, much more fun than rushing around a crowded mall.

Gingerbread soap is one of my favorite things to make for gift giving. Its warm, spicy scent captures the magic of the season, and it’s always a hit with friends and family. Not only is it a wonderful standalone gift, but it also pairs beautifully with other handmade or thrifted treasures to create something truly memorable. Let me show you how I make this festive soap and how you can turn it into the perfect holiday present.

Ingredients and Tools You’ll Need

Making gingerbread soap from scratch is easier than you might think, but it does require some specific ingredients and tools. Here’s what I use for my gingerbread soap recipe:

Ingredients:

8 oz. olive oil
12 oz. coconut oil
12 oz. shea butter
4.5 oz. lye (sodium hydroxide)
10.2 oz. water
¼ cup molasses (added at trace for that warm, gingerbread-like richness)
1.5-2 oz. essential oils (I use a combination of ginger, clove, and cinnamon essential oils to create that warm, festive aroma).

Tools:

A digital scale
Simple thermometers – I use these to check the temperatures of the lye solution and the oils, making sure they’re both at around 100–110°F before mixing.
A heatproof container for mixing lye and water (I use a large glass measuring cup or stainless steel container)
A stainless steel pot for melting oils
A stick blender
Soap molds (silicone works best)
Safety gear: gloves, goggles, and long sleeves

If this is your first time working with lye, don’t worry—it’s completely safe as long as you handle it with care. Always work in a well-ventilated area and add the lye to the water (never the other way around).

Step-by-Step Soap-Making Process

Prepare Your Workspace: Start by setting up your tools and ingredients. Measure everything out precisely—it’s essential for soap making. Put on your safety gear, and make sure there are no distractions.

2. Mix the Lye and Water:
Carefully add the lye to the water (never the other way around!) and stir until it’s fully dissolved. This step generates a lot of heat and releases fumes, so for safety and better ventilation, I often do this part outside on my porch. It ensures the fumes dissipate quickly and keeps my workspace comfortable. Once the lye is fully dissolved, let the mixture cool to about 100–110°F. Always wear your gloves and goggles during this process to protect yourself.

3. Melt Your Oils and Butters:
Combine the olive oil, coconut oil, and shea butter in a pot over low heat. Stir until fully melted and then let this cool to 100–110°F, matching the temperature of your lye mixture.

4. Blend and Emulsify:
Slowly pour the lye mixture into the oils while blending with a stick blender. Continue blending until you reach “trace”—the point when the mixture thickens and leaves a light trail when drizzled on itself.

5. Add the Good Stuff:
Once you hit trace, stir in the molasses and essential oils. The molasses gives the soap a rich, warm color and a touch of sweetness that feels so festive.

For the scent, I use a combination of ginger, clove, and cinnamon essential oils to create that warm, festive aroma. The majority of the blend is ginger essential oil for its sweet, spicy kick, with just a hint of clove and cinnamon to round it out. Since these oils are potent and can be irritating if overused, I stick to about 1.5–2 ounces total for the entire batch. Most of that is ginger essential oil, with smaller amounts of clove and cinnamon to keep the blend skin-safe while still capturing that cozy, holiday scent.

6. Pour and Let Set:
Pour the soap into your molds, tapping them gently to release air bubbles. Let the soap harden for 24–48 hours, then unmold and cut into bars.

7. Cure the Soap:
Place your bars on a drying rack in a cool, dry place. Let them cure for 4–6 weeks before using or gifting. This curing time ensures the soap is mild and long-lasting.

Customizing Your Gingerbread Soap Gift

Here’s where the fun begins! I love pairing my gingerbread soap with a few handmade goodies to create what I call a bath bundle. It’s perfect as a hostess gift or as part of a larger holiday gift basket. Each bundle includes:

A handmade wooden soap dish – It keeps the soap dry and lasts longer.
A cotton crocheted washcloth – I make these myself, but you can also find them at local craft fairs or online.
A bar of my handmade gingerbread soap – The star of the show!

I tie everything together with a wide grosgrain ribbon or place it in a festive gift box. It’s simple but feels so thoughtful and luxurious.

If you want to mix things up, you can swap out the gingerbread soap for another handmade variety, like lavender or peppermint. The idea is to create a little moment of indulgence for the recipient—something they’ll truly use and enjoy.

Tips for Storing and Sharing Your Handmade Soap

Once your gingerbread soap is cured, store it in a cool, dry place to keep it fresh until gifting. Handmade soap does need to breathe, so avoid completely sealing it in plastic. Instead, go for breathable materials like paper or fabric wraps.

More Soap Making to Explore

Want to explore more soap-making articles? Check out these favorites: