by Karla
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Hot chocolate lotion bars are a fun and easy DIY solid lotion that are perfect for gift giving (or keeping for yourself!).
If you are a choc-a-holic like me, you will LOVE these hot chocolate lotion bars. They smell like amazing, indulgent hot chocolate and are made with all natural, good-for-your-skin ingredients. These smell good enough to eat!
This recipe is a variation of my original lotion bar recipe, which I created almost 15 years ago on a whim. I began selling them, and they quickly became my best-selling product.
Lotion bars are one of my favorite items to give as gifts! They are a unique gift that you can make yourself with just a few ingredients.
I love giving consumable gifts, and this one fits the bill for just about anyone on your gift giving list. Lotion bars are perfect as stocking stuffers, teacher gifts, as part of a hostess gift, or even as party favors for your holiday gathering or bridal shower.
- Lotion bars are made with completely natural ingredients and they are amazing for dry skin.
- Lotion bars are super concentrated because they contain no fillers, additives or preservatives. (Learn more about toxins in body products here.)
- Lotion bars are extremely portable, especially if you store them in a metal tin like I do. They fit perfectly in a purse, diaper bar or car console for any dry skin emergency (Pro Tip: don’t leave lotion bars anywhere it gets really hot, they will melt! Lotion bars are best stored at room temperature).
- Lotion bars are inexpensive. A little goes a long way when you are using a lotion bar, so they are very cost effective.
Check out this post to learn more about lotion bars.
You might have some of these ingredients on hand already, but if not they are easy to find.
- Beeswax
- Cocoa Butter (make sure you get raw, non-deodorized cocoa butter. I also use it for cooking and in my favorite hot chocolate recipe)
- Almond oil
- Avocado oil
- Vanilla essential oil
- Cacao Powder
- Vitamin E (optional)
In addition to the natural oils, butter and wax, you will also need a silicone mold. There are lots of choices on Amazon, including chocolate and candy molds that are so fun for these hot chocolate lotion bars!
They will turn out looking so similar to actual chocolate you might have to tell people not to eat them.
Here are my top silicone mold choices for lotion bars:
I have used all of these molds for lotion bars, and they all make similar sized bars. These will also all fit in these metal travel tins that are perfect for storing and gifting lotion bars.
You could also use a silicone pan mold and cut these into whatever size lotion bars you like once they cool, or use silicone baking cups to make slightly larger lotion bars.
Related: White Chocolate Mint Lip Balm Recipe
Hot Cocoa Lotion Bar Recipe
These chocolate scented solid lotion bars are a treat for skin and your senses. Solid lotion is made with a nourishing combination of solid butters, waxes and oils. A little goes a long way in this water-free lotion recipe. Perfect for gifting and those practicing zero-waste, too!
This recipe is measure by weight. See below for a version measured by volume.
Ingredients
- 2.4 oz Beeswax
- 1.2 oz Cocoa Butter
- 0.8 oz. Almond Oil
- 0.4 oz. Avocado Oil
- 1 tsp Cocoa Powder
- 50 drops (apx. 1/2 tsp) vanilla essential oil
- 1/2 tsp vitamin e oil (optional)
Instructions
- Add beeswax and cocoa butter to a double boiler and slowly heat the oils over medium-low heat until melted. Do not overheat – these should not boil! Low and slow is best with these delicate butters and waxes.
- Once melted, turn off the heat and add the almond and avocado oils.
- Add cocoa powder and mix well until completely combined. Amini wiskis perfect for this!
- Lastly, add vanilla essential oil and vitamin E (if using) and stir a final time.
- Pour into silicone mold.
- Let bars sit until completely hardened, then carefully remove from mold.
Notes
This recipe makes 7 small, handheld lotion bars using a mold very similarto this round silicone mold. Each finished lotion bar is approximately 0.7 oz.
Store in a sealed container and keep out of water.
Best if used within 6 months.
Recommended Products
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Hot Chocolate Lotion Bar Recipe by Volume
My preferred method for creating any body products at home is to measure by weight because it makes a more consistent product. This is easy to do with a normal kitchen scale (I use this one). If you don’t have a kitchen scale, use the recipe below that measures by volume.
- 1/2 cup Beeswax
- 1/4 cup Cocoa Butter
- 2 Tbs. Almond Oil
- 1 Tbs. Avocado Oil
- 1 Tsp. Cocoa Powder
- 50 drops (apx. 1/2 tsp) vanilla essential oil
- 1/2 Tsp. vitamin e oil (optional)
Directions:
- Add beeswax and cocoa butter to a double boiler and slowly heat the oils over medium-low heat until melted. Do not overheat – these should not boil! Low and slow is best with these delicate butters and waxes.
- Once melted, turn off the heat and add the almond and avocado oils.
- Add cocoa powder and mix well until completely combined. A mini wisk is perfect for this!
- Lastly, add vanilla essential oil and vitamin E (if using) and stir a final time.
- Pour into silicone mold.
- Let bars sit until completely hardened, then carefully remove from mold.
- Best if used within 6 months.
Recipe Notes:
This recipe makes 7 small, handheld lotion bars using a mold very similarto this round silicone mold. Each finished lotion bar is approximately 0.7 oz.
The perfect way to gift these lotion bars is in these metal travel tins! These tins are just the right size to hold lotion bars using any of the molds I’ve linked to above. They fit perfectly in a purse, diaper bag, nightstand, or Christmas stocking. The tins also do a great job of keeping the lotion bars fresh.
Looking for more DIY gift ideas?
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