Luxurious Soap
10 3/4 ounces of lye cristals
4 cups cold water
27 ounces coconut oil
34 ounces olive oil
24 ounces of vegetable shortening
1/2 an ounce scented oil
1 heat resistant plastic container
1 enamel or stainless steel pan
1 wooden spoon
Put the lye into the plastic container. Slowly and carefully add the cold water. Stir until the crystals are dissolved, then place the container in a shallow pan of cold water to bring the temperature down to between 95-98 degrees, not more, not less. Use the candy thermometer to keep an eye on the temperature.
Melt the shortening in the enamel pan, and when it's melted, add the coconut and olive oils. This mixture also has to be between 95-98 degrees, so use a second candy thermometer to make sure you get the right temperature.
When both solutions are ready, slowly add the lye solution to the oils mixture, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon. Keep stirring until the mixture traces (meaning until the spoon, when lifted from the mixture, will be able to trace a design on the creamy surface of the soap, and this design will be visible for a few seconds).
If you have stirred for 30 minutes and the soap still doesn't trace, don't worry. The soap is still usable, but it will take a little longer to harden when placed in the molds.
Before pouring the soap in the molds, add the scented oil and mix. Then pour into the molds. Cover these with a folded blanket and place them on a level surface, sheltered from drafts.
Allow to set for 24 hours, then uncover and allow to set for another 24 hours. At this time, the soap has the consistency of soft cheese, and you can mold it into different shapes if you want. If you want it to be harder, let it set longer, then cut into bars, and let it cure for about two weeks.
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