I have a major citrus lover in my family: my younger sister.  She simply cannot get enough of the tangy scent of oranges, lemons, tangerines...you name it.  Her cocktails of choice?  A limey margarita or an orangey Italian spritz of course!  This comes as no surprise since she makes her living in Italy turning these citrus peels into fruit leather for her art and jewelry creations!

Keeping all this in mind, I simply cannot talk about making holiday gifts without whipping up some orange spice soap for the citrus lovers in our lives.  This soap is full of cinnamon and clove essential oils that are antibacterial and anti-inflammatory.  The shea butter in the soap adds that extra moisturizing power our skin often needs during the harsh winter months.

Ingredients:

1 lb shea butter soap base

30 drops orange essential oil

30 drops cinnamon essential oil

10 drops clove oil

1 heaping tablespoon cinnamon powder, sifted

Chop shea butter soap base into half inch chunks and place in the microwave safe bowl.  Heat for one minute and stir.  Then continue to melt base in the microwave in 20-second increments, stirring between each heating until liquefied, about 5 minutes.  Once the soap is melted stir in essential oils and sifted powder.  Pour into muffin tins and allow to set, about an hour.  (You can speed this up by placing them in the fridge for about 20 minutes.)  Remove soap from molds by gently inserting a butter knife around the edges of the muffin tin. until the soap pops out.  Wrap individually in plastic wrap or tuck multiples in an airtight container.  Store in a cool dry place indefinitely.  Makes about 4 soaps.  Enjoy!