Cocoa Butter in Soap Making

by Pelin

Hi Cathy,

When I use cocoa butter in my recipes and if I'm working in small batches - e.g. 1 pd - I notice that the soap gets trace very fast. I normally mix at 100F and the ratio of the cocoa butter in total oils is 10% along with 5% shea butter and 20% coconut oil as hard oils. Olive oil is the main ingredient in my soft oils.

Is there a better mixing temperature for such small batches to prevent or slow cocoa butter from accelerating trace fast?

Thanks,

Pelin

Answer:

Soap recipes containing cocoa butter tend to trace faster.

Your temperature seems fine. You should be able to use temperatures anywhere from 80 - 110 degrees F without much of a problem.

Instead, I would look at the amount of water you use in your recipe. Around 36% by weight of oils is a good amount. When you use less water the soap will trace faster.

And most importantly, try stirring with a whisk or even a spoon instead of a stick blender. Stick blenders speed up trace time considerably.

Essential and fragrance oils should be added at the very end, just before the soap batter is poured into the soap mold. Often they will accelerate trace times to the extreme.

Good luck,
Cathy