Friday, April 24, 2009

Cupcake Bath Bomb Tutorial


I made these yummy looking (but not yummy tasting) cupcakes for birthday party goodie bags. They were so easy and fun to make. Best of all, you should be able to find everything you need at the grocery store and at the craft store.

Here's what you need:
1 cup baking soda
1/2 cup cornstarch
1/2 cup citric acid (usually found in the bulk section of stores like Sprouts and Whole Foods)
2 1/2 tablespoons grape seed oil (I used this, but any nut oil will work)
1 tablespoon water
1/4 teaspoon borax (found in the laundry aisle)
1 teaspoon fragrance oil for soaps
8-10 drops of soap coloring
Witch Hazel (put in a spray bottle)
Silicone cupcake liners

Here's how you make the cupcakes:
1. In a bowl, stir together the baking soda, citric acid and cornstarch.
2. In a small bowl, combine the grape seed oil, water, soap fragrance, soap coloring and borax. Mix together well.
3. Pour the wet mixture into the dry mixture and blend together well. The mixture should feel like wet sand. If it's too dry, spray lightly with witch hazel (using too much can cause the mixture to foam, so don't apply witch hazel liberally)
4. Pack the mixture tightly into a silicone cupcake liner and place upside down on a lined cookie sheet.
5. Wait about 10 minutes and then remove the cupcake liner
6. Leave the bath bomb to dry overnight.

Frosting Instructions

3 tablespoons meringue powder (found in the baking section of craft stores)
6 tablespoons water
4 cups powdered sugar
1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
1/8 - 1/4 teaspoon of soap fragrance oil
1/8 - 1/4 teaspoon soap coloring
Sprinkles (optional)
Plastic cake decorating bag and cake decorating tip (or Ziploc bag with the corner snipped off)

Here's how to make the frosting:

1. In a large bowl, mix together the meringue powder, powdered sugar, cream of tartar, soap fragrance oil, soap coloring, and water using a hand mixer until stiff peaks form.

2. Put the mixture into the cake decorating bag (or Ziploc bag with the corner snipped off, and pipe the frosting onto the base as you would a real cupcake.

3. Add sprinkles if desired.

4. Let dry overnight, or until frosting hardens.

5. Package and enjoy!

Tips:
-go lightly with the witch hazel. Sometimes you won't need to use it at all
-to make round bath bombs, use the top recipe (don't make the frosting), and pack the mixture into round, plastic Christmas ornaments (found in craft stores)
-to make shaped bath bombs, use the top recipe (no frosting), and pack the mixture into candy or soap molds
-to give as a gift, put them into little cellophane treat bags, add a tag and tie with a ribbon
-these may look and smell yummy, but they are not edible!

To use: Toss into the tub and enjoy!


10 comments:

michelle@somedaycrafts said...

I love these! I linkef to it!!!

Laurel said...

Awe!! I am a fiend for all things cupcake! I will post pic and link to you in my next blog- delightful!!

Scott Franson Photography said...

Thanks for posting this, they are darling !
Claudia
claudiafranson.blogspot.com

Rachel said...

So I tried to make these for a shower favor, but they were SUPER runny it was the consistancy of batter. I did another batch and doubled the dry mixture and I think it was still a little too runny. Did I do something wrong? Do you think it is the altitude, I live in a high altitude place, I did use peanut oil, do you think that was it? Please help me. I think they are so cute and I hope they still turn out, but I want to make more. Thanks.
www.randyandrachelburr.blogspot.com

Turtle Taylor said...

Ok, I'm a dork. I proofread, but I still had a typo in the ingredient list. It's fixed now, so the recipe should work like a charm now!

Jessica said...

How many normal sized cupcake bombs does this recipe make?

I want to try & make these for my baby shower as favors.

Turtle Taylor said...

I think I averaged about 14 regular sized cupcakes per batch. I didn't quite fill my cupcake liners all the way to the top, though. I'd say it would be safe to assume that you'll average between 12-14 per batch.

Covered In Crafts said...

I'm in love with this idea. I can't wait to try it. :)

Diane said...

What is the purpose of the Borax? I'm a little concerned about soaking in it! Wondering if it can just be left out. This is such a CUTE idea!

Pattern and Perspective said...

Borax shouldn't hurt you - people use it to cure dry skin, etc. Where does one find witch hazel. This recipe seems easier than most of seen which use more stuff. I want less stuff - hence less money to put into it.