Vanilla Cold-Process Soap Recipe

This soap is about to become your signature homemade gift. This vanilla cold-process soap recipe isn’t just another homemade soap. It’s rich, creamy, and carries a scent that’ll make your bathroom smell like a French bakery. The best part? While it looks professional, cold-process soap recipes are perfect for beginners who want to learn soap-making.

close up of dark vanilla soap bars lined up.

Vanilla Cold-Process Soap Recipe

This vanilla soap is luxurious, moisturizing, and offers a rich, long-lasting vanilla fragrance. It’s a simple yet indulgent cold-process soap, ideal for personal use or gifting. Makes 10 bars.

Prep Time 45

Cure Time 28

Total Time 28 45

Serving Size bars

Equipment

Ingredients

4.28 ounces lye
10 ounces water
11 ounces olive oil
12 ounces coconut oil
3 ounces avocado oil
2 ounces shea butter
2 ounces castor oil
1 ounce vanilla fragrance oil or up to 1.5 ounces for a stronger scent
Optional: 1 teaspoon vanilla bean powder for a speckled look

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Instructions

Make lye water. Measure the lye and water separately using a digital scale. Slowly add the lye to the water (never the reverse) and stir until dissolved. The mixture will heat up significantly. Set it aside in a safe, well-ventilated area to cool.
Melt oils. Measure and combine the olive oil, coconut oil, avocado oil, shea butter, and castor oil in a pot. Heat over medium-low until all oils, especially the shea butter, fully melt. Remove from heat once the oils reach around 110°F. Let the oils cool to between 90°F and 110°F.
Check temperatures. Once both the lye solution and the melted oils are within 90°F to 110°F, you’re ready to proceed. Make sure your mold, fragrance oil, and optional vanilla bean powder are on hand and ready to go.
Blend to trace. Pour the cooled lye solution into the melted oils. Use a stick blender to mix until you reach trace (a smooth, pudding-like consistency). At trace, add the vanilla fragrance oil and vanilla bean powder if using. Stir by hand to incorporate evenly.
Pour into mold. Immediately pour the soap batter into the prepared mold. Tap the mold gently on the counter to release any air bubbles.
Cure. Allow the soap to sit in the mold for 24-48 hours until firm. Once firm, unmold the soap and slice it into bars. Place the bars in a well-ventilated area and cure for 3-4 weeks.

Notes

Use the right fragrance oil: Make sure your vanilla fragrance oil is soap-safe and skin-safe. Some fragrance oils aren’t designed for cold-process soap.
Trace timing: Vanilla fragrance oil can sometimes accelerate trace, so be prepared to move quickly after adding it.
Vanilla discoloration: Vanilla fragrance oils will naturally darken soap over time due to the vanillin content. You can leave it as is for a rustic look or incorporate a vanilla-stable colorant if desired.

Substitutions & Variations:

Other fragrance options: You can mix vanilla fragrance oil with complementary scents like sandalwood or lavender for a custom fragrance blend.
Add exfoliants: Ground oats or poppy seeds can be added for exfoliating properties.
Custom colors: Use natural colorants like cocoa powder or French green clay for visual variety.

I first created this recipe while looking for the perfect holiday gift for my notoriously hard-to-shop-for mother-in-law. It was such a hit that I have to make a double batch every Christmas because she “shares” them with her friends (though I suspect she’s hoarding them in her linen closet).

rows of dark vanilla soap bars lined up on wooden counter.

Now, it’s become my most-requested gift, and my sister swears it’s the only soap she’ll use in her guest bathroom when she wants to impress visitors.

Soap Tips

Timing is Everything. That vanilla fragrance oil can speed up trace quickly, so have everything ready before mixing.
Temperature Matters. If you don’t have a thermometer, get one! You need to keep both your lye solution and oils between 90-110°F. You’ll get a funky, separated mess if your oils are too hot.
Learn Trace. Master the art of identifying “trace.” Too light, and your soap won’t set properly. Too heavy, and you’ll be racing against time to get it in the mold. Look for the consistency of melted ice cream that leaves a slight trail when drizzled on the surface.
Measure Accurately. Always measure by weight, not volume. Even a small measurement error can ruin a batch.
Always Be Safe. Always wear protective gear and work in a well-ventilated area.

Key Ingredients and Tools

Here are some ingredients and tools that play a crucial role in creating that perfect bar of soap:

Lye (Sodium Hydroxide): There’s absolutely no substitution here – it’s what makes soap, soap. Always use fresh lye that’s been stored correctly in an airtight container. My soap-making supplies list walks you through where to get lye and everything else.
Vanilla Fragrance Oil: Must be soap-safe. Nurture Soap and Brambleberry are reliable sources.
Castor Oil: Critical for bubbles – don’t skip or substitute this one.
Digital Scale: Invest in one that measures to 0.01 ounces. Click on the link in the recipe card to get the one I use.
Stick Blender: Dedicate one solely to soap making. The Kitchenaid cordless is perfect, but any immersion blender works.
Safety Gear: Chemical-resistant gloves (nitrile), safety goggles, and long sleeves are non-negotiable.
Thermometer: A laser thermometer is perfect, but a candy thermometer works too.

Remember, soap-making tools should never be used for food preparation afterward – label everything clearly as “soap-making only.”

Safety Tips

Soap making isn’t just crafting – it’s chemistry! Always wear protective gear: goggles, gloves, and long sleeves are non-negotiable. Work in a well-ventilated area and keep pets and kids far away during the lye mixing process. Keep a bottle of vinegar nearby to neutralize any lye splashes, and always add lye to the water (remember: “Snow falls on the lake” – lye is the snow; water is the lake). Never use your soap-making equipment for food preparation afterward. Read this Lye Safety Guide for more information.

Troubleshooting and Help

Help! My soap turned brown – did I mess up?

Not at all! That’s just the vanilla doing its thing. Vanilla fragrance oil naturally darkens soap over time.

Can I use essential oil instead of fragrance oil?

Unfortunately, vanilla essential oil doesn’t exist (what’s sold as vanilla essential oil is usually an absolute or oleoresin), and it won’t perform well in cold process soap.

How long before I can use my soap?

Wait the entire 4 weeks! I know it’s tempting to use it sooner, but proper curing makes a massive difference in the quality of your final bar. If you want a faster soap recipe, try my melt-and-pour goat milk soap (with no lye!).

Why did my soap thicken so quickly?

Vanilla fragrance oil is known to accelerate trace. Work quickly and consider soaping at slightly cooler temperatures (around 90°F) to slow things down.

My soap turned out very soft – what happened?

Common causes are inaccurate measurements, too much water, or not reaching proper trace. Double-check your scale’s accuracy and make sure you hit a pudding-like trace consistency.

If you have any more questions, leave me a comment. I’m always happy to help. You can also check out my soap-making for beginners, where I walk you through everything.

Storage Instructions

Store in a well-ventilated area on a rack or shelf lined with parchment paper. Keep it out of direct sunlight and away from moisture.
Once cured, store the bars in a cool, dry place. When properly stored, these beauties will last at least a year, though the vanilla scent may fade slightly over time.
Pro tip: tuck a bar in your sweater drawer for naturally scented clothes!

Trust me, you’ll be hooked on soap-making once you nail this recipe. There’s something incredibly satisfying about creating your own bars of soap, and this vanilla version will make you feel like a real artist. Remember, perfect bars come with practice, so don’t stress if your first attempt isn’t Pinterest-worthy. Focus on safety, measurements, and temperatures – everything else is just details.

Vanilla Cold-Process Soap Recipe