Homemade Chocolate Magic Shell
A rich, homemade Chocolate Magic Shell you’ll want to put on everything all year-long. Made with just two ingredients and a few minutes in the microwave, this chocolate ice cream topping is fantastic on frozen bananas, pineapple and frozen yogurt.
![Homemade Magic Shell in a glass jar with a pink spoon drizzling the sauce.](https://thesuburbansoapbox.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Chocolate-Magic-Shell-4.jpg)
Chocolate Magic Shell
Remember Magic Shell? It was one of my favorite things growing up. I was so fascinated by how something so watery and liquid would freeze in seconds when poured over a bowl of ice cream. I always used more than necessary and, inevitably, would end up chiseling my way through the shell with a spoon to get to the ice cream.
Like a mini gold mining expedition….but in a small bowl…on my lap. Ok, I guess it’s not even remotely the same thing but this was what I would think about while digging my way to dessert. I even kicked my favorite hot fudge sauce to the curb for a jar of this amazing ice cream topping!
If you’ve never tried Magic Shell before you’re in a for a real treat. It’s a chocolate sauce that hardens to a crisp shell when poured over something cold like ice cream or frozen bananas.
It’s often used to coat ice cream bars, too, and we love it on top of frozen fruit for a healthy snack.vThe best part is it’s made in the microwave with just two ingredients….coconut oil and chocolate. You can make a big batch to store in the pantry to whip up easy desserts on the fly. It’s simple and shelf stable!
![Magic Shell being poured over ice cream.](https://thesuburbansoapbox.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Chocolate-Magic-Shell-3.jpg)
How Does It Work
Homemade Magic Shell is made with chocolate and fat, most often coconut oil, that is melted together until it’s liquid-y and smooth. When poured over ice cream, it hardens to a shiny, firm shell that can be cracked with a spoon.
Coconut oil contains a high amount of saturated fat, so it’s solid at room temperature but liquid when heated. Once the chocolate and coconut oil are melted together, the mixture has the consistency of chocolate sauce (think Hershey’s syrup), but as soon as it’s poured over ice cream it quickly cools down, causing the coconut oil to firm back up.
I used virgin coconut oil for this recipe, which is made from fresh coconuts and has a strong coconut-y scent and flavor. If you want a less pronounced coconut flavor, use refined coconut oil which has a neutral flavor and aroma.
Tips for Making Chocolate Shell
Even with an easy recipe such as this one, there are a few tips to help make it successfully.
- Use a clean, dry bowl to mix your ingredients. Any residual oil or water left in the bowl can react with the chocolate causing it to seize up.
- Heat the chocolate and coconut oil in short 30 second increments in the microwave stirring between each until the mixture is smooth.
- Allow your Magic Shell to cool for a few minutes before pouring over ice cream or dipping your ice cream bars into it so it doesn’t melt the ice cream.
![Ingredients for Magic Shell in a glass bowl.](https://thesuburbansoapbox.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Chocolate-Magic-Shell-2-700x1036.jpg)
![Magic Shell in a glass bowl.](https://thesuburbansoapbox.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Chocolate-Magic-Shell-6-700x963.jpg)
How To Store It
You can store your Chocolate Magic Shell in the pantry in an airtight container. It will firm up a bit in the pantry so be sure to reheat it in the microwave for a few seconds to make it liquid again.
I see recipes on Pinterest for Magic Shell all the time but the few times I’ve tried them they’ve either been too firm and didn’t cover the ice cream or too liquid they slid off the surface before hardening. I tweaked the recipe to find the perfect ratio of ingredients and THIS, my friends, is exactly like the real thing.
![Magic shell on vanilla ice cream in a gray bowl.](https://thesuburbansoapbox.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Chocolate-Magic-Shell-5.jpg)
Serving Suggestions
And it’s so easy, you can enlist your kids to help in the kitchen. And they will LOVE spooning the chocolate sauce over their ice cream and frozen treats!
I’m still fascinated like a little girl whenever I use this “magic” chocolate sauce….but now I know what ingredients are in it and won’t feel guilty if I over indulge a bit. Even when I drench a bowl of my homemade Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream with it!
![CHOCOLATE MAGIC SHELL IN A GLASS JAR.](https://thesuburbansoapbox.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Chocolate-Magic-Shell.jpg)
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![Homemade Magic Shell in a glass jar with a pink spoon drizzling the sauce.](https://thesuburbansoapbox.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Chocolate-Magic-Shell-4-300x300.jpg)
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Magic Shell Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 tablespoons coconut oil
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
Equipment
Instructions
- In a small bowl, mix together the oil and chocolate chips. Microwave 1 minute, stopping at 20 seconds increments to stir thoroughly and continuing until all the chocolate is melted.
- Microwave 1 minute, stopping at 20 seconds increments to stir thoroughly and continuing until all the chocolate is melted.
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature until ready to use.
Video
![YouTube video](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/lQLIw7u95sg/hqdefault.jpg)
17 Comments on “Homemade Chocolate Magic Shell”
I always loved magic shell when I was a kid!
!! Are you serious!? I never knew it was so simple! I have all of these in my pantry!!! This is definitely going to have to happen. Thanks so much for sharing this! :D!
Bucket List: I want to be dipped in magic shell one day. I suppose I would have to lock myself in a meat freezer for a bit, but.. Um… Yea… Dipped in magic shell, just so I can eat my way out of that situation. Crazy? Yea, well… It’s Magic Shell!
Such a great idea to add on top of ice-cream…or really, any thing;)
Magic shell is awesome but what I’m really excited about here are those sprinkles – how fun!
I love this!!!
How simple and brilliant. Thanks!
I love Magic Shell, too. So fun to watch that syrupy chocolate harden right on top of the ice cream. Great to know how to make it at home now!
Perfection! I loved magic shells as a kid! Still do!
I love that you made it at home!! I could eat this with a spoon 😉
My kiddies love homemade magic shell, I just make mine sugar free. 🙂
Oh goodness, yes. YES. I don’t even need the ice cream!
Oh my PEFECT!
I LOVE magic shell….yum!
My daughter will FLIP for this. It totally reminds me of being young and getting a dip top at Dairy Queen. Oh man… Dairy Queen is something I haven’t thought about for years.