How to Make Homemade Magic Shell

Learn how to make Homemade Magic Shell. Hint: it’s super easy only requires 2 ingredients that you probably already have in your pantry. This homemade magic shell recipe is one of the easiest ice cream toppings to make and a fun addition to any ice cream dessert night, plus it can be used as dipping chocolate.

Making this Homemade Magic Shell Recipe

The kids have had tons of fun lately with homemade magic shell for their ice cream. Their minds were blown when I told them that you could make this super fun chocolate shell for ice cream at home – and that it only took 2 ingredients!

We’ve had a batch pretty much stocked non-stop in our pantry for the last few weeks, and it never lasts long. As soon as it is gone, it’s time to make another batch because someone is asking for it again.

It’s so fun that they’re loving one of my favorite childhood treats so much!

Magic Shell Ingredients

This recipe for Homemade Magic Shell only requires 2 ingredients! Pretty amazing, right? Here’s what you’ll need to make magic shell ice cream topping:

I love that the ingredient list is super simple – you might even have both of them on hand in your pantry without a trip to the grocery store, I know we usually have a stash of dark chocolate and a big container of coconut oil. 

Thankfully, coconut oil can be found in pretty much any grocery store these days as it has become much more commonly used than it was when I was a kid. It makes it super easy to make a batch of Magic Shell any time the craving strikes.

To make this easy recipe for homemade magic shell, you need:

• Dark Chocolate
• Coconut Oil

That’s it! I usually have Dark Chocolate Chips (click for my favorite kind!) on hand because that is what we like to use for our favorite Chocolate Chip Cookies, but you can also use dark chocolate bars chopped up.

For the complete ingredient list and detailed instructions, scroll to the bottom of this post for the FREE printable recipe card.

How to Make Magic Shell

One of my favorite things about this Easy 2 Ingredient Magic Shell recipe is that the kids can find these ingredients easily and prep it themselves without the kitchen becoming a total disaster! WIN!

You can make this homemade version of magic shell ice cream topping on the stove or in the microwave. Here’s an overview of both processes:

Making this Magic Shell Recipe on the Stove

1. Measure the chocolate on a scale
2. Scoop measure the coconut oil
3. Combine the chocolate and coconut oil in a saucepan over medium-low heat.
4. Cook, while stirring until the chocolate starts to melt, then reduce it down to low. You don’t want the chocolate to be super hot when you’re pouring it on cold ice cream, just melted and liquid enough to pour.
5. Pour the melted chocolate mixture over cold ice cream (or dip, or whatever you want to do with it!)
6. Wait 15-30 seconds for it to harden, then ENJOY!

Making this Homemade Chocolate Shell Recipe in the Microwave

1. Place the ingredients in a microwave-safe bowl.
2. Transfer the bowl to the microwave.
3. Microwave the chocolate and coconut oil mixture on 50% power at 30-second intervals, stirring in between each interval.
4. Continue until the mixture is completely melted and combined.

The above is simply a quick summary of this recipe. Check out the full recipe in the free printable recipe card at the bottom of this post for all the detailed instructions.

Homemade Magic Shell Tips

Make sure you use real chocolate, not the chocolate candy melts. The high quality your chocolate, the better this tasty chocolate shell will taste.

I also recommend dark chocolate over milk chocolate. Don’t worry, you can use both, we just prefer the flavor of dark chocolate and have found that dark chocolate yields a harder shell than milk chocolate. 

Magic Shell Storage Tips 

• This recipe for Homemade Magic Shell does not need to be refrigerated.
• Storing in an airtight jar works best if you would like to spoon your magic shell over ice cream.
• If you would like to be able to drizzle the magic shell, I suggest storing it in a plastic squeeze bottle.

How Long Does this Homemade Magic Shell Recipe Last

Homemade magic shell will last for months at room temperature, but you’ll likely need to warm the magic shell to reheat it to a liquid consistency.

If at any time it becomes too solid to serve or the chocolate and coconut oil separate, place the sealed container in a bowl of hot water to re-melt the mixture. Then, give it a quick stir, & serve!

Alternatively, you can microwave at 20 second intervals and stir in between until the mixture is melted. I don’t recommend this if it is stored in a plastic bottle, however.

Why Do You Use Coconut Oil in this Magic Shell Recipe?

It is mostly personal preference. We always have coconut oil on hand and I like the way it tastes.

Can I make Magic Shell without Coconut Oil?

YES – you can definitely make magic shell without coconut oil! 

If you’re allergic to coconuts, or out of coconut oil, you can substitute  shortening or vegetable oil for coconut oil.  We prefer coconut oil.

How Does Magic Shell Work

Coconut oil is the magic ingredient in magic shell!

If you’ve ever seen or purchased a jar of coconut oil, you’ve probably noticed that, unlike other oils, coconut oil is solid. In fact, coconut oil will usually stay solid unless it is in an environment that is at or over 77 degrees F (25 degrees C). 

That’s because coconut oil has a melting point of 77 degrees F. As long as it is warm, the coconut oil remains liquid. But, as soon as it cools it becomes solid again.

When the coconut oil infused chocolate is poured over cold ice cream the fats will solidify again, and voila! you have that magic chocolate shell on your ice cream!

For best results, let your dip harden on ice cream for 30 seconds before digging in. You’ll know it’s ready when the surface turns from glossy to completely matte and a light tap with a spoon gives you a knocking sound.

Ways to Use this Magic Shell Recipe

The fun thing about this homemade magic shell recipe is that there are so many fun ways to use it! Check out these ideas below:

Topping for Ice Cream Sundaes

Magic Shell is probably best known as the fun hard chocolate shell used on ice cream sundaes. All you have to do is pour or drizzle the liquid chocolate over cold ice cream.

Then, add whatever other sundae toppings you like: whipped cream, bananas, maraschino cherries, nuts, caramel sauce, etc.

Does This Work As Dipping Chocolate

YES! You can dip pretty much anything that’s cold or frozen in this magic shell to get a hard chocolate coating on it.

To dip items that are large, like popsicles, I suggest using a tall and narrow glass so you have plenty of room to fully submerge the item in the chocolate.

Check out this dipped popsicle recipe: Chocolate Covered Blood Orange Popsicles are ordinary blood orange popsicles that have been dipped in homemade magic shell! Find more popsicle recipes in the Frozen Desserts section of the recipe archive!

For smaller items, like frozen fruits, a bowl that allows for approximately 2 inches of dipping depth usually works fine. These Chocolate Banana Pops are so fun – this also works with slices of frozen bananas.

If you’re planning to dip whole scoops of ice cream instead, keep your dip in a tall, narrow container to get maximum dip coverage.

More Ice Cream Topping Recipes

Here are a few favorite ice cream topping suggestions. For more tasty dessert ideas, be sure to check out the Dessert Archives of the Recipe Index!

For a richer chocolate sauce, try chocolate ganache. Learn how make ganache (hint: it is actually really easy!).

This lemon blueberry sauce can be made with fresh or frozen blueberries. It is great to use for ice cream toppings, but also has many other uses. It would be amazing on this No-Churn Blueberry Cheesecake Ice Cream

Caramel Sauce with Vanilla and Bourbon – This silky smooth caramel sauce is so easy to make at home. It’s one of our favorite ice cream toppings!

For tangy, fruity toppings try these recipes for Lemon Curd, Raspberry Curd, Fresh Raspberry Sauce. Load up some vanilla ice cream or lemon sherbet with any of these fruity homemade ice cream toppings!

Have you ever tried making chocolate magic shell?

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