Homemade Magic Shell
An easy recipe for homemade magic shell with just two ingredients. The perfect topping for almost any ice cream!
So I’ve been keeping a secret from you all. This homemade magic shell recipe. Well, technically it’s only two ingredients and you can make it in the microwave, so it almost feels like it’s not a recipe. But, since there’s more than one ingredient in it we will call it a recipe.
The idea for this recipes comes from the magic shell you can buy at the store. If you haven’t tried it before, it’s basically like a chocolate topping for your ice cream that hardens up a little once it’s been on the ice cream for a few seconds. It creates a chocolate shell around the ice cream, but it still says soft enough to break apart and enjoy.
One night Josh was trying to figure out what to add to some vanilla ice cream we had in the freezer. He grabbed a bag of chocolate chips and said he would just melt them and use that on his ice cream. Until I told him he could add some coconut oil to it and make an ice cream chocolate shell .
If only you could have seen the excitement on his face when I told him that. Since then, he’s been on this mission to perfect his magic shell recipe. You guys. It’s the greatest thing ever.
This past weekend we measured everything out so I could post a recipe to share with you all!
Ingredients in This Recipe
This magic shell ice cream topping is a two-ingredient wonder. To make it, all you need is:
- Chocolate chips: I always use semi sweet chocolate chips in this recipe, but you can use milk chocolate or dark chocolate if you prefer one over the other.
- Coconut oil: Needs to be measured out while it’s solid (at room temperature or chilled).
I always have both ingredients on hand because I use them in these Healthy Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Bars all of the time.
How to Make Magic Shell
Simply add the chocolate chips and coconut oil to a microwave-safe bowl and microwave in 20-second intervals until smooth. Stir often to avoid burning the chocolate.
Can I Use a Chocolate Bar?
Yes, if you don’t have chocolate chips on hand you’re welcome to substitute an equal amount (190 grams) of chopped chocolate.
Storage Instructions
If you have any leftover, don’t throw it away! Just store it in an airtight container at room temperature. I usually use a mason jar to store it in. When you’re ready to enjoy some more, just stir it up again and top it on your ice cream.
I love keeping a little extra on hand for when a craving strikes. Or you can just enjoy it all to yourself!
Baking Tips
- Once the mixture is melted in the microwave, it will make about 3/4 cup of magic shell, which is enough for 4-6 people.
- You can easily cut the recipe in half to make less or even double it.
- I used regular chocolate chips, but you can swap in almost any baking chip you’d like to make a flavored magic shell recipe.
More Ice Cream Toppings to Make!
Homemade Magic Shell
Ingredients
- 1 cup (190 grams) semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 3 tablespoons coconut oil (measured when solid)
Instructions
- Add the chocolate chips and coconut oil to a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in 20-30 second increments, making sure to stir very well after each increment, until completely melted and smooth.
- Allow to cool for a few minutes, then top on ice cream of choice.
This is such a great idea! I’ve never made my own magic shell before, but I love how easy it is. And since my husband eats ice cream practically every night, I know he would love this, too. So fun…especially with the sprinkles on top! 🙂
Thanks, Gayle! Sounds like your husband would love this recipe!
Woah, this recipe really is easy. I had no idea the magic shell phenomenon was this simple! Thanks for the recipe!
The moment I saw this, my mind fluttered to coconut oil- that stuff can do anything! Sometimes it can be frustrating how easily it returns to solid when baking (especially when you’re mixing it with cold maple syrup- the worst!), but it’s things like this magic shell recipe that remind me how awesome it is that it can transform between solid and liquid so well.
Oh I know, Medha! That’s the most frustrating part of trying to bake with it. But luckily that makes it work well in this recipe 🙂
Do it yourself recipes like this are always so exciting to me, and ice had homemade magic shell on my to-do list! I have vanilla ice cream In the freezer and everything else, so this is gonna happen very soon!
Hope you enjoy it if you give it a try, Marcie!
Mmmmm….I am loving it… 🙂
Not just happiness, health is also homemade.. 🙂
Ekkkk! What a gorgeous recipe! I just want to dive right into that bowl of ice cream!
Love that you made homemade magic shell! It looks perfect with the vanilla ice cream! I can’t wait to try!
Hahaha I love Josh’s reaction! The first time I made it Brian was amazed too. He was like ‘why do people buy store-bought then??’. I can’t wait to play around with flavor combinations this summer. In the meantime I wish I had that bowl right now – it looks amazing!
Haha that was pretty much Josh’s reaction too when he tried it! I definitely need to try some other variations too, it’s just so easy to make!
We LOVE our ice cream toppings around here, so I have a feeling this magic shell would be a HUGE hit with my family! I love that you and Josh both worked on this recipe together—so fun. Tell Josh he did an awesome job! My ice cream will never be the same again. 😉
I think your family would definitely love this one, Sarah! I’ll be sure to tell Josh too, I know he will appreciate that haha 🙂
This sounds fun Danielle! Next time I eat ice cream, I am going to make this magic shell! YUM!
Yay! Hope you like it, Manali!
This is dangerous. As if I needed another reason to eat ice cream! Lol. I have never made homemade magic shell but I am so excited to try this!
It really is kind of dangerous, especially when you have extra waiting to be used haha 😉
I can’t believe it takes only two ingredients to make this. How Easy! Will have to give it a try. 🙂
Magic shell is the beeest and I love that this recipe gives me an option to have it without all the preservatives. Yum!
Thank you, Rachel!
Danielle,
CAn this be used to coat fruit..like whole strawberries?
This would be too soft at room temperature to coat fruit. For coating fruit, I typically just add 1/2-1 teaspoon of oil to the chocolate and melt it.
Making your own magic shell sounds like a yum and fun idea!!! Love how easy is to make this. I am gonna try this soon!
Yum, this looks delicious! Definitely going to try the recipe next time I have ice cream! 🙂
I just made this tonight Danielle and it was the best magic shell ever! So easy and SO good. This is gonna be a staple in the house this summer!
You made my day, Marcie! I’m so glad you liked it! 🙂
Thanks Danielle for sharing this wonderful recipe. I have a question how long does it last at room temperature in a jar? and does it keeps in a liquid consistency?
Hi, Marlene! To be honest, this never lasts very long in our house so I’m not quite sure how long it will keep. I would think it would be fine for a few weeks, but I’m not 100% positive. And it does stay a liquid consistency at room temperature.
HI! I just seen your recipe for Magic Shell on Pinterest! I LOVE MAGIC SHELL! Do you have to use coconut oil? and how long can you store the magic shell for? Does it have a shelf life?
I’ve tried vegetable/canola oil and while they work, it’s not quite the same. The coconut oil works best and is more like magic shell in my opinion. I’ve kept it stored at room temperature for 1-2 weeks and it’s been just fine, it usually never lasts longer than that in our house 🙂
In an airtight container it should be fine for a year.
Oh Boy!!
I’m a grand maw and great grand maw, all the kids love Magic Shell.
Thanks for this recipe. it will be used often here.
#1Granny
We make this all the time here too! Hope you and your grandkids enjoy it 🙂
Hi! This recipe looks amazing, and I’m wanting to use it in a Sundae Box gift for my boyfriend. I’m wondering how long this sauce will last if I make it ahead of time and leave it at room temperature? And does it separate a lot, or harden after awhile?
Hi, Emily! Since it’s made with ingredients that can be kept at room temperature, it stays fresh for several weeks. It doesn’t really separate, but depending on the temperature of your house it can kind of harden up again if it’s too cold. I like to just microwave it and stir well before using it.
I can’t believe how easy this was or that it actually worked. Thanks for the recipe- my son and I are enjoying it right now!
You’re welcome, Gabby! I’m glad you both liked it!
Would butter work in this recipe, tablespoon for tablespoon?
I haven’t tried it with butter yet, but it may work. I’ve used vegetable and canola oil before and they work okay, but not quite as good as coconut oil.
Do you think this would work for making chocolate covered fruit?
No, I wouldn’t suggest using this recipe for chocolate covered fruit. It wouldn’t work well especially if the fruit is at room temperature. If I’m dipping fruit in chocolate, I usually just melt down 1 teaspoon of oil with about 1 cup of chocolate.
What can you use instead of coconut oil? My daughter and I are both allergic to coconut anything…
Yes, you can use canola or vegetable oil instead of coconut oil. I find that the magic shell is a little chewier using canola/vegetable oil, but it still works.
Any other flavors like Salted Caramel????
Hi, Kathy! I have a salted caramel recipe here: https://www.livewellbakeoften.com/homemade-salted-caramel-sauce/. It’s not quite the same as magic shell, but still delicious. I also have a peanut butter magic shell version here: https://www.livewellbakeoften.com/homemade-peanut-butter-magic-shell/.
Can I use anything other than coconut oil? I’m allergic to coconut.
You can use canola or vegetable oil in place of the coconut oil.
My daughter’s friend’s mom just had an end of summer ice cream party and this was one of the toppings–It was SO fantastic!!! Yum. Need to make it and have it in the house ALWAYS!!!
How fun, Heidi! You can make a larger batch and keep it at room temperature for quite a while too.
Can this be used to cover cookies or peanuts?
It’s too soft and would melt at room temperature. If I’m coating cookies or nuts with chocolate, I typically just melt some chocolate chips or semi-sweet chocolate with 1/2-1 teaspoon of oil.
can you use milk chocolate chips instead of semi-sweet chocolate chips ?
Yes that would be fine!
I dont have a microwave. Would this work if made in a double boiler?
Yes, that would be fine! Or you can just melt it down in a saucepan over medium heat.