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> Recipe Box > Whipped Shea Butter
Recipe
Introduction:
Whipped Shea Butter is a decadent treat for your skin. It is light,
soft and creamy and contains all the nourishing properties of the
Shea Butter and the
essential oils that you
add to it. The consistency of Whipped Shea Butter is similar to
that of whipped cream. It is a bit tricky and time consuming to
make, but the results are well worth it.
This recipe will make approximately
four 4 ounce jars of whipped shea butter. This recipe may be doubled.
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| Whipped Shea Butter Tucked
Into an Easter Basket |
Ingredients:
- 8 ounces Shea Butter
- 1 Tbs. Jojoba
- 1/2 tsp. Vitamin E Oil (preferably T-50 or T-80)
- 1/4 tsp. Essential Oil
- 1/16 tsp. Pearlescent Mica Powder for Color (optional)
Directions:
- Have a large mixing bowl ready that is capable of withstanding
both hot and cold temperatures.
- Ensure that there is enough room in your freezer to accommodate
the large mixing bowl.
- Using a double boiler, heat water to boiling in the lower portion
of the double boiler.
- Reduce heat to medium.
- Add the shea butter to the top section of the double boiler
and allow to melt. Stir regularlily.
- Using a candy thermometer, adjust the temperature of your stove
until the shea butter reaches 175 degrees F.
- Continue to heat the shea butter at 175 degrees F for 20 minutes.
Try not to heat the butter much higher than 175 degrees F as that
may damage some of its nutritive constituents.
(Heating to this temperature for this duration prevents the
shea butter from turning gritty. Shea butter has a tendency to
form a gritty texture if it is melted to quickly.)
- Shea butter is flammable. Keep an eye on it as it is being heated.
- After the shea butter has been heated, quickly transfer it to
the large mixing bowl.
- Quickly add the jojoba and Vitamin E oils. Do not add the essential
oil or optional pearlescent mica powder yet.
- Begin mixing the shea butter using a mixer. If you have a whisk
attachment for your mixer, use that instead of the beater heads.
A stick blender may be used, but I've found the results to not
be as ideal.
- Continue mixing the shea butter for approximately 5-7 minutes.
- The shea butter will still be in a highly liquid form at this
stage. Transfer the mixing bowl to the freezer for approximately
5-10 minutes.
- Remove from the freezer. The shea butter will still be in a
liquid stage with the exception that a film of solid shea butter
probably will have formed.
- Begin mixing the shea butter again for 5-10 minutes.
- Repeat the mixing to freezer process several times.
- Gradually, you will notice your shea butter firming up and becoming
the consistency of whipped cream or frosting.
- It takes practice to get the timing right. Quickly chilling
the shea butter for short intervals is important to help expedite,
enhance and maintain the fluffy texture of your whipped shea butter.
It's also important because using a mixer creates friction and
heat, and can actually keep the shea butter from cooling if you
keep mixing it for too long. Think of a Vitamix blender and its
ability to turn water and veggies into hot soup in minutes due
to the friction. Also, if shea butter doesn't cool quickly, it
can become gritty. It's also important not to overchill (freeze)
your whipped shea butter.
- Once the whipped shea butter has the consistency of whipped
cream, add your chosen essential oils. Be sure to follow all safety
precautions when selecting essential oils or an essential
oil blend to include in this recipe.
- Mix again for several minutes to ensure the essential oils are
evenly distributed.
- If you wish to color your whipped shea butter, add 1/16 tsp.
of pearlescent mica powder and mix well. If the color is too light,
you may add an additional 1/16 tsp. Your final color should remain
very pale. It is very important not to heavily color the shea
butter because too much will tint the skin when your whipped shea
butter is applied.
Idea:
Before adding the essential oils and pearlescent micas, you
can divide your batch into two clean mixing bowls and separately
add different essential oils and pearlescent micas. If you do half
your batch at that stage, be sure that you half the amount of essential
oils and micas that you add to each half batch.
Packaging:
Spoon your Whipped Shea Butter into 4 ounce containers and label
them. Include the date that you made the butter on your label.
Shelf Life:
With the exception of the anti-oxidant properties of the Vitamin
E oil, this Whipped Shea Butter Recipe does not contain preservatives.
For maximum freshness, use the Whipped Shea Butter
up within a month and discard any that hasn't been used within that
time. With how luxurious Whipped Shea Butter feels and with how
good it is on the skin, you'll probably use it up before a month
is over with anyhow.
Because you will be exposing your whipped shea
butter to bacteria and other contaminants each time you reach into
the container to take out product, this whipped shea butter will
have a much shorter shelf life than similar commercial products.
To keep your whipped shea butter fresh for as
long as possible, store it in a cool location and try to ensure
that your hands are clean when you use it.
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