If you love ice cream, try some of our other popular ice cream toppings like Mint Chocolate Magic Shell, Nutella Magic Shell, or Flood Mud Microwave Hot Fudge Sauce. If you have ever had a dipped cone and wondered what that chocolate sauce that hardens on ice cream is called, it’s known as Magic Shell and can be purchased at the store next to the ice cream toppings. But it’s really very simple to make at home with ingredients you already have on hand. My favorite way to use it is to make a simple ice cream turtle pie by filling a graham cracker crust with vanilla ice cream. After freezing until firm, I like to slice and plate, then drizzle each piece with chocolate magic shell, caramel sauce, and chopped pecans. Use it to create a hard chocolate shell on ice cream cones or dip frozen bananas in it then roll them in chopped roasted peanut before the chocolate has a chance to harden for an easy treat. Drizzle homemade magic shell into a blender with ice cream and milk for a chocolate chip milkshake or into your favorite homemade ice cream towards the end of churning to create small chocolate flakes.
Why this Recipe Works
Only two ingredients. Just chocolate and coconut oil, that’s it. Easily doubles or triples. The recipe makes about ¾ cup of magic shell topping, which is usually enough for 3-4 people, but you can easily increase the amounts of you want enough for a larger group. Customizable. Chocolate magic shell is classic, but if want even more magic shell flavors, keep scrolling for a list of ideas on how to easily adjust this base recipe.
Ingredient Notes
This is a quick overview of the important ingredients you’ll need for this magic shell recipe. Specific measurements and full recipe instructions are in the printable recipe card below.
Chocolate: Because there are only two ingredients in this recipe, we think it’s a good idea to use the best quality chocolate for the best flavor. We really like the milk or dark chocolate “Pound Plus” bars from Trader Joe’s, but Ghiradelli and Guittard are our other favorites. You can even use chocolate chips if that’s what you have on hand. Coconut oil: If you use unrefined coconut oil, you will end up with a slight coconut taste to the magic shell, which may not necessarily be a bad thing if you are a fan of Almond Joy bars. But if you just want a pure chocolate flavor, you should use refined coconut oil which doesn’t have a distinct coconut taste.
How to Make Homemade Magic Shell
Recipe Tips
Let it cool to room temperature before using. The magic shell will still harden up even if you pour it over the ice cream while the sauce is still warm, but it has a tendency to melt the ice cream more. Our recommendation is to make the magic shell, then let it cool a bit while scooping the ice cream before pouring. Watch out for water. Be careful to not let any water touch the magic shell or it may seize up. No need to store in the fridge. The ingredients are shelf-stable and will keep at room temperature for weeks.
Storage Instructions
How to store: If there are leftovers, you can keep them in an airtight container or jar at room temperature for up to 1 month. You may need to reheat (or at least stir well) until pourable before using. How to reheat: The easiest way is to microwave for 20-30 seconds, then stir until the magic shell has thinned out again. You could also heat it in a double boiler over simmering water on the stovetop.
More Magic Shell Flavors
You can use the recipe below and modify it to make lots of other delicious flavors! Here are some ideas to get you started:
Cherry: Use cherry flavored chips or buy red candy melts and add 1 teaspoon of LorAnn Oils super strength cherry flavor for cherry magic shell. Funfetti: Use white chocolate and 2 tablespoons of sprinkles (jimmies work best). Cookies & Cream: Use Hershey’s Cookies & Cream Bars in place of the chocolate. Reese’s: Add 2 tablespoons of peanut butter to the recipe below or use half chocolate chips and half peanut butter chips. Chocolate Caramel/Turtle: Add ¼ cup caramel bits. Once the chocolate, caramel, and coconut are melted, add 3-4 tablespoons chopped pecans for a turtle version. Chocolate Almond: Add 3-4 tablespoons finely chopped almonds. Heath Bar: Add ¼ cup chopped heath bar pieces. Peanut Butter: Use peanut butter chips in place of the chocolate. Or you could use ½ cup creamy peanut butter with ¼ cup of powdered sugar. Biscoff Cookie Butter: Use ¾ cup cookie butter with the coconut oil. Mint: Use the Ghiradelli green mint baking chips in place of the chocolate for minty green magic shell. Orange: Use orange candy melts and add ¼ to ½ teaspoon LorAnn Oils orange cream or regular orange flavor for orange creamsicle magic shell.
Homemade Ice Cream Recipes
Butter Pecan Ice Cream Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream Homemade Ice Cream in a Bag Homemade Strawberry Ice Cream
Mint Chocolate Magic Shell
Nutella Magic Shell
No-Churn Vanilla Ice Cream
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