DIY Christmas Cupcake Bath Bombs - 2 Holiday Designs

Handmade gifts are always a big hit for Christmas. There's something special about them. The thought, the time and love that goes into making them really let's the recipient know you care.

Last year I made these adorable Santa Bath Bombs and folks loved them. So, for this year I wanted to make some sort of Christmas themed bath bombs again, but with a little twist, moving away from the traditional sphere shape. A couple of months ago I came across these super cute and, best of all, pretty fool proof cupcake bath bomb molds and knew I had to use them this Holiday season.

The result: Adorable Christmas cupcake bath bombs that look festive, are easy to make and nourishing for your skin. One design is reminiscent of a peppermint candy cane and the other of a Christmas tree. Once you've got your ingredients together you can easily make either one of the designs. As for the scent I've chosen essential oils that go with each theme, but feel free to use your own favorite essential oil or blend.

Recommended reading : How to Make Bath Bombs

Let's look at some of the ingredients, shall we?

Epsom Salt

Epsom salt is a pure mineral compound containing magnesium sulfate in crystal form. It's believed that the magnesium present in Epsom salt dissolved in water can be absorbed through the skin and can therefore replenish magnesium levels in the body. Epsom salt used in baths is known to soothe tired muscles, relieve itchy dry skin and relax the nervous system.

Now, it's not always recommended to use salt, whether it be Epsom salt or sea salt in bath bombs. Salt can draw moisture from the air and can cause your bath bombs to expand and start fizzing prematurely. This is especially a problem if you let your bath bombs dry outside of the mold. I haven't had any issues using salt with this project since we're keeping our cupcake bath bombs in the mold to dry and away from moisture.

Sweet Almond Oil

Sweet Almond Oil is packed with powerful antioxidants like vitamin A and E. It's known to soothe irritated skin, remedy sunburn and even help with stretch marks. It's very nourishing for your skin and can remedy dryness and chapped skin which is a big bonus as we're heading into the colder winter months.

Adding liquid oils or even melted butters to your bath bomb recipe helps the mixture achieve the wet sand consistency you need in order for it to hold it's shape. Oil however will leave a slick film on the bottom of your tub. That's why I always add polysorbate 80 to my bath bombs.

Polysorbate 80

Polysorbate 80 is an emulsifier and solubilizer it helps disperse oil more evenly in the bath water instead of pooling on top. It also prevents micas and other colorants from clinging to the side of the tub and leaving a ring around your bath tub. Polysorbate 80 is considered safe and is often used in food items, if you wish to use a more natural alternative you could try liquid sunflower lecithin (some folks report similar results with it).

Kaolin Clay

Kaolin Clay is a gentle cleanser and exfoliator. It has the ability to absorb excess oil from the skin and to draw out toxins. It is soothing to sensitive and irritated skin and can help with bug bites and rashes.

In bath bombs I like to use it to help harden them after they dry. You can substitute Kaolin clay with cream of tartar in order to make your bath bombs harder, but you won't get the same skin benefits.

Are you ready to make some Christmas cupcake bath bombs? Let's get started.

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Equipment needed:

• Two Medium Sized Bowls
• Fine Sifter
• Gloves and Dust Mask (optional)
• Cupcake Bath Bomb Molds
• Whisk
• Small Spray Bottle

Ingredients for 4 Bath Bomb Cupcakes (for both kinds you will need the same ingredients except for the essential oils):

• Baking Soda: 2 cups
• Citric Acid: 1 cup
• Epsom Salt: ½ cup
• Kaolin Clay: 6 Tbsp
• Sweet Almond Oil: 3 Tbsp
• Polysorbate 80: 2 Tbsp
• Witch Hazel: as needed
• Peppermint Essential Oil (for 4 Peppermint Candy Cane Cupcakes): 30 drops
• Lavender Essential Oil (for 4 Christmas Tree Cupcakes): 20 drops AND
• Cedarwood Essential Oil: 20 drops
• Lake Colorants (the red in this pack will be used for the peppermint, the yellow and blue will be mixed to create the green in the Christmas tree: 1 teaspoon
• Star Sprinkles for the Top: a pinch for each one

How to Make Peppermint Candy Cane Bath Bomb Cupcakes:

1. You may wish to wear gloves and a dust mask - baking soda can go airborne quickly and might irritate your lungs
2. Transfer witch hazel into a spray bottle
3. Sift all your dry ingredients in order to avoid any clumps
4. Mix baking soda, citric acid, Epsom salt and kaolin clay until combined
5. Add sweet almond oil, polysorbate 80 and peppermint essential oil to your dry ingredient mix
6. With your hands work out clumps until you have a uniform mixture
7. Split your batch into two equal parts
8. Add 1 teaspoon of red lake dye powder to one part and combine until evenly colored, rubbing the mix between the palm of your hands works best
9. Test the consistency of your mix by squeezing a little bit in your fist and see if it's firm enough to hold it's shape and won't crumble if you tap it gently with your finger. In this video I show you what this step looks like. Your mix should have the feel of wet sand, if it doesn't continue with step 10 (my mix at this point was too dry and I used witch hazel, but you might live in a more humid climate and it might be ok without)
10. Spray your mixture with witch hazel while whisking your mix, check the consistency often so your mixture doesn't get too wet
11. Once you've reached the proper consistency in both bowls start layering the colors by filling the uncolored mix into the bottom part of the cupcake mold. For the bottom part you can measure out 2 tablespoon for each color to make sure you have even layers. Gently pack the mix in (you don't want it to be too dense) while creating a somewhat even layer.
12. Continue by alternating the colors until the mold is full and end with the uncolored mix by mounting it loosely in top of the mold (pictured above)
13. Place a pinch of star sprinkles on the bottom of the top part of the cupcake mold, shift them around with your finger so that they're a little spread out (pictured above)
14. Gently pack a little bit of red bath bomb mix on top of the sprinkles (for the top half, you will have to eyeball the amount of mix you put in to create even layers)
15. Continue by alternating colors and end with the uncolored mix by mounting it loosely on top of the mold
16. Line up the two halves of the cupcake mold so that the two latches are aligned and firmly press the two halves together until they interlock
17. Let the cupcake bath bombs sit in the mold for 18 - 24 hours
18. Gently release cupcake bath bombs from their molds by gently tugging the two latches away from each other
19. Wrap them in a small cellophane bag and decorate with a pretty ribbon or gift them in the plastic mold

How to Make Christmas Tree Bath Bomb Cupcakes:

1. You may wish to wear gloves and a dust mask - baking soda can go airborne quickly and might irritate your lungs
2. Transfer witch hazel into a spray bottle
3. Sift all your dry ingredients in order to avoid any clumps
4. Mix baking soda, citric acid, Epsom salt and kaolin clay until combined
5. Add sweet almond oil, polysorbate 80, lavender essential oil and cedarwood essential oil to your dry ingredient mix
6. With your hands work out clumps until you have a uniform mixture
7. Split your batch into two equal parts
8. Add 1 teaspoon of blue lake dye powder and 1 teaspoon of yellow lake dye powder to one part (pictured above) and combine until evenly colored, rubbing the mix between the palm of your hands works best
9. Test the consistency of your mix by squeezing a little bit in your fist and see if it's firm enough to hold it's shape and won't crumble if you tap it gently with your finger. In this video I show you what this step looks like. Your mix should have the feel of wet sand, if it doesn't continue with step 10 (my mix at this point was too dry and I used witch hazel, but you might live in a more humid climate and it might be ok without)
10. Spray your mixture with witch hazel while whisking your mix, check the consistency often so your mixture doesn't get too wet
11. Once you've reached the proper consistency in both bowls start by filling the uncolored mix into the bottom part of the cupcake mold. Gently pack the mix in (you don't want it to be too dense) while and end with the uncolored mix by mounting it loosely in top of the mold (pictured above)
12. Place a pinch of star sprinkles on the bottom of the top part of the cupcake mold, shift them around with your finger so that they're a little spread out (pictured above)
13. Gently pack the green mix in and end by mounting it loosely on top
14. Line up the two halves of the cupcake mold so that the two latches are aligned and firmly press the two halves together until they interlock
15. Let the cupcake bath bombs sit in the mold for 18 - 24 hours
16. Gently release cupcake bath bombs from their molds by gently tugging the two latches away from each other
17. Wrap them in a small cellophane bag and decorate with a pretty ribbon or gift them in the plastic mold

You can read more tips, tricks & troubleshooting on how to make bath bombs here.

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Until next time. Happy Tinkering!