Give your ice cream desserts a fancy twist with homemade magic shell topping. Simple to make, this melted chocolate topping sets quickly when drizzled over ice cream, forming a hard shell that’s totally delicious and fun to crack!
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3 Ingredient Magic Shell
Take ice cream to a whole new level with chocolate magic shell topping! This homemade chocolate sauce isn’t your ordinary dessert sauce – when poured over cold ice cream, it quickly sets and forms a hard chocolate shell. It’s so satisfying to break into this chocolate coating!
Jazz up any frozen dessert with this simple 3-ingredient magic shell topping.
Be sure to try my Chocolate Chip Cannoli Dip too.
Why You’ll Love this Magic Shell Recipe:
- SIMPLE INGREDIENTS: You only need 3 basic ingredients to make this chocolate topping.
- EASY: Ready in 15 minutes with simple steps, this is a recipe anyone can master.
- KID-FRIENDLY: Kids of all ages will love this chocolate shell – it’s such a treat and everyone will wonder how you made it.
This quick, easy, and delicious chocolate sauce is sure to impress!
How to Make Chocolate Magic Shell
You can jump to the recipe card for full ingredients & instructions!
- Combine the ingredients in a bowl.
- Microwave until the mixture is melted.
- Let it cool.
- Pour over ice cream.
Magic shell topping is a “magical” melted chocolate sauce that hardens when it touches something cold, quickly forming a delicious shell.
For best results, use a chopped bar of solid chocolate. Chocolate chips have stabilizers that can prevent them from melting smoothly, but they’ll work in a pinch. Avoid using candy melts.
Absolutely! Use your favorite kind of pure chocolate for this topping – white, milk, or bittersweet chocolate are all wonderful choices.
Pour any leftover liquid chocolate shell topping into an airtight, microwave-safe container and refrigerate for up to 3 months. To reheat, melt in 10-second intervals, stirring often, until the chocolate mixture is pourable.
Serving Suggestions
While great served on top of ice cream, use homemade magic shell on any cold desserts, milkshakes included! Try it with:
- Chocolate Banana Malt Milkshake
- S’mores Ice Cream Sandwiches
- Peanut Butter Cup Ice Cream Pie
- Frozen French Silk Pie Cocktail
Once you make this chocolate sauce you’ll want to put it on everything in sight!
Tips!
- A microwave is the quickest way to melt everything together, but a double boiler works great, too.
- Try not to overheat the chocolate. Burned chocolate tastes bitter and can’t be saved. I recommend heating the mixture in 30-second increments, stirring well in between each.
- Before pouring onto ice cream, let the shell mixture cool for 15 minutes. It is too hot immediately after heating and will just melt the ice cream instead of forming a shell.
Not only is magic shell topping delicious, but it’s also fun to crack into once it hardens!
How can I make chocolate peanut butter magic shell?
To make a peanut butter magic shell, swap the chocolate for 1 cup of peanut butter (crunchy or smooth), omit the salt, and add a teaspoon of granulated sugar. Heat, stirring often, until the mixture is pourable.
Can I double this recipe?
Definitely! Simply double the ingredients and follow the recipe as written. Homemade magic shell is a wonderful gift to give to friends and neighbors!
Do I have to use coconut oil?
For best results, use coconut oil because it solidifies quickly to help form the hard shell. It gives this shell coating a wonderful texture.
More Homemade Dessert Sauces We Love
The secret’s out! Homemade magic shell topping comes together quickly and easily for one epic dessert sauce!
More Easy Chocolate Recipes to Try:
- Chocolate Fudge
- Easy Chocolate Truffles
- Salted Chocolate Cheesecake Bars
- Texas Sheet Cake
- Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Best Chocolate Cake with Chocolate Frosting
If you make this recipe be sure to upload a photo in the comment section below or leave a rating. Enjoy! You can also jump to recipe.
Homemade Magic Shell Recipe
Equipment
- Kitchen Scale (optional)
Ingredients
- 12 ounces bittersweet (60% cacao) chocolate 340 grams, chopped
- ½ cup refined coconut oil 113 grams
- ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt
Instructions
- Combine the chocolate, coconut oil, and salt together in a microwaveable dish (or in the top of a double boiler set over simmering water).12 ounces bittersweet (60% cacao) chocolate, ½ cup refined coconut oil, ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt
- Heat the mixture, stirring often, until almost all of the chocolate is melted.
- Remove the mixture from the heat source and stir until all of the chocolate has melted and the mixture is smooth.
- Let the mixture cool for at least 15 minutes before serving. Pour chocolate shell topping onto the ice cream of your choice and enjoy!
Video
Becky’s Tips
- 1 batch makes about ¾ cup of chocolate shell topping, enough for 4-6 servings.
- A microwave is the quickest way to melt everything together, but a double boiler works great, too.
- Try not to overheat the chocolate. Burned chocolate tastes bitter and can’t be saved. I recommend heating the mixture in 30-second increments, stirring well in between each.
- Before pouring onto ice cream, let the shell mixture cool for 15 minutes. It is too hot immediately after heating and will just melt the ice cream instead of forming a shell.
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Did you make this? Leave a comment!
Can I substitute olive oil or butter for coconut oil ? I have allergy to coconuts. Than you.
It may not work out or taste the same!
How do I make a cherry shell?
I haven’t made it to that flavor yet!
Use white chocolate, cherry oil, which you can find in Walmart baking craft section add a little to taste powdered food coloring