How to make Hot Cocoa Bath Bombs

How to make Hot Cocoa Bath Bombs

Imagine relaxing after a long day in a steaming bath of hot chocolate. The warmth soothing tired muscles while rich chocolately aromas swirl through the air and melted cocoa butter moisturises your skin. The best part of all? It could actually good for you!

Cocoa powder contains high levels of caffeine that when used externally helps to firm the skin and reduce puffiness. Cocoa butter keeps your skin supple with its creamy oil but it’s also rich in anti-oxidants. These compounds are said to fight free radicals so your hot chocolate bath might just help your skin stay young. Did I also mention that these nearly edible balls of cocoa deliciousness are calorie free?

Making Cocoa Bath Bombs

Making these mini bath bombs is fairly straightforward but there is a waiting period of 24 hours between the two major steps. Considering that, this project might be ideal for a weekend and would be a fun activity to make with children. The main ingredients are all natural and food-grade and the process could be compared to making a dessert or candy – though much easier.

Placed into a glass container and decorated with a ribbon and handwritten label these little chocolately fizzies also make excellent gifts. The cost of the ingredients is low so you could make loads of them for both friends and the kids in the family. Though little ones probably won’t be interested in the beneficial properties of cocoa, they will absolutely love the chocolate and natural fizz that makes these handmade bath bombs both aromatic and fun!

Makes 9-10 mini bombs sized 2″ in diameter

Bath Bomb Ingredients
1/2 cup / 110g Citric Acid – you could probably find this at a drug store or grocery store
1 cup / 300g Baking Soda (Bicarbonate of Soda) – look for this at a grocery store
1 Tbsp / 7g Kaolin White Clay
2 tsp / 8g Organic Cacao Powder – or ordinary cocoa powder from a grocery store
Witch Hazel. You only need a few sprays of this
1/4oz / 8ml Chocolate Fragrance Oil or Cacao (Chocolate) Essential Oil. The fragrance oil is less expensive but is a perfume. The essential oil is all natural.

“Chocolate Sauce” Ingredients
1/8 cup / 27 g Raw Cocoa Butter – the amount in this link is enough for eight batches.
1.5 tsp / 6g Organic Cacao Powder – or ordinary cocoa powder from a grocery store

Equipment
Clear Fillable Plastic Ball Craft Ornaments. These are your molds.
Mini Fine Mist Spray Bottle
Optional: Glass container such as a small cookie jar or a Mason/Kilner jar. I recommend finding some at a local dollar store or recycling jars and containers. If you’d like to invest in new Kilner jars, here’s an idea: Case of 12 Kilner Jars

Step 1: Mixing

Sift the dry ingredients for the bath bombs into a bowl. Use a spoon or your hand to mix them thoroughly then add the fragrance oil or essential oil and keep blending until the liquid is dispersed.

Step 2: Spraying

Now begin spraying with the witch hazel. Spray 2-3 squirts with a fine mist sprayer then mix it into the dry ingredients with your hand. Repeat this process until the mixture begins to hold shape when you take up a handful and squeeze it in your hand. You should be reminded of the consistency of the damp sand you’d use to build a sand castle and it should take no more than 18-20 squirts.

Step 3: Making the fizzies

Scoop enough of the mix into half of the 2-piece ornament you’re using as a mold. Using your fingers, compact it into the cavity then sprinkle some loose mix on top. Repeat this step with the second part of the ornament and then press the two pieces together firmly. Leave for a few seconds then peel one side off. Holding the bath bomb by the remaining mold piece, gently plop it out and onto a bath towel that’s been covered with cellophane. This helps to stop the round bath bomb from developing a flat spot – it will have this spot if you put your damp bath bomb on a hard surface.

Step 4: Let them Dry

Use all of the bath bomb mix to make your fizzies and then leave them to dry for 24 hours.

Making the ‘Chocolate’ Sauce

With the bath bombs hardened and smelling LOVELY it’s now time to make the chocolate sauce. I need to add that this step is entirely optional and not necessary for your bath bombs to fizz away. What it does add though is rich cocoa butter that melts on contact with hot bath water and makes your bath extra luxurious.

Step 5: Melting the Oil

First, melt the cocoa butter. You can do this in the microwave by turning it on for 30 seconds at a time and then stirring. Alternatively, heat the oil in a double boiler until just melted.

Step 6: Mixing in the Cocoa

Next, stir in the cocoa powder. The mixture will be very runny at this point so you’ll now need to carefully stir it and watch for the consistency to become a bit thicker and more like chocolate syrup. If you leave it for too long though the oil will solidify again. If this happens, re-melt it and start again.

Step 7: Drizzing the ‘Chocolate Sauce’

When the right thickness is reached it should have the consistency of a thin custard. Pour this ‘sauce over your bath bombs which you’ve placed on a wire rack over grease-proof paper. It will harden within minutes but it’s best to leave the bombs for at least an hour so that the sauce effect is not damaged.

Storage & Use

These bath bombs should be stored in a closed container or they could attract moisture. The only moisture you really want them to interact with is the water in your bath, otherwise they may degrade and fall apart.

When you’re ready to use them, pop one or two into your bath water and watch as it fizzes and releases rich chocolate scent. The water will turn a light tan to deep cocoa colour depending on how many bombs you use and how large your bath is. This is the cocoa and will be great for your skin! If there’s any residue left in the tub after you let the water out, simply rinse it out with water.