This chocolate magic shell is the perfect topping for ice cream and other desserts and it’s so easy to make! Made with just two simple ingredients in 5 minutes, it’s an effortless way to elevate all of your favorite sweet treats.
Two of my favorite indulgences are a Ted Drewes chocolate chip concrete and a Dairy Queen dip cone. What do they have in common? Magic shell! It’s so easy to make this treat at home so I can enjoy it whenever I get the urge!
It’s a great for topping ice cream and hardens beautifully, but it’s also an incredible pie topping! I used it instead of chocolate shavings on this French Silk Pie. I dare you to not use it on all of your favorite desserts!
The liquid chocolate that hardens when it is drizzled over something cold and it forms a shell that is such a delight to crack into!
It’s such a simple way to add your own touch to store bought desserts. So effortless yet fancy enough for company!
I like to give a lot of detail in my recipe posts to guide readers through any questions. If you’re just here for the printable recipe, feel free to click “jump to recipe” right under the title of this post and you’ll head straight there!
Table of Contents
Chocolate Magic Shell Ingredients
You just need 2 simple ingredients to make this yummy dessert topping!
- Chocolate Chips – You can use whatever your favorite chocolate is or whatever matches the dessert you are topping. Dark, semi-sweet, milk and white all work well. You can also use vegan chocolate.
- Coconut Oil – Coconut oil is the best oil to use for this chocolate shell. The fat solidifies as soon as it touches the cold ice cream. Substitute vegetable oil in a pinch.
How To Make Magic Shell
You can make the magic shell in the microwave or on the stovetop.
Microwave
- Heat chocolate chips and coconut oil for 30 seconds in microwave and stir.
- Continue in 15 second increments until smooth.
Stovetop
- Heat chocolate and oil in a bain-marie. ELABORTATE
- Stir until smooth.
Variations
You can easily add in different ingredients to make this magic shell really special!
- Strawberry Magic Shell – Process freeze dried strawberries into a powder and use white chocolate chips.
- Matcha Magic Shell – Go green by adding matcha powder into white chocolate.
- Salted Magic Shell – Add thick flakes of sea salt into a dark chocolate shell.
- Peanut Butter Magic Shell –
Optional Additions
- Orange Zest
- Vanilla
Tips
Make Ahead
Chocolate magic shell is a great make ahead topping and it has a long shelf life. Store in a glass container at room temperature and enjoy for up to 1 month! Just give it a stir before using it.
To Store
Room Temperature – Magic shell is best kept at room temperature or it will harden. If you do decide to keep it in your fridge, you can reheat it in the microwave before using it.
Serving Suggestions
- Ice Cream – Peanut Butter or Marshmallow Ice Cream are the perfect pairing
- Popscicles and Fudgescicles
- Bananas
- Strawberries – Try it on drunken strawberries!
- Cheesecake
Magic shell is amazing on ice cream, but I also love dipping homemade popsicles and fudgesicles in it! It’s also great to coat frozen fruit in it, bananas and strawberries work really well!
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Don’t skip my easy Pearl Sugar Shortcut if you’ve got a sweet tooth that won’t quit!
More Easy Dessert Toppings
Originally published June 2013
Magic Shell Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup chocolate chips milk, semi-sweet, white or dark
- 2 tablespoons coconut oil
Instructions
- Heat chocolate chips and coconut oil for 30 seconds in microwave and stir.
- Continue in 15 second increments until smooth.
Notes
Substitutions
- Chocolate Chips – Dark, semi-sweet, milk and white all work well, even vegan chocolate.
- Coconut Oil – Coconut oil is the best oil to use for this chocolate shell. The fat solidifies as soon as it touches the cold ice cream. Substitute vegetable oil in a pinch.
Optional Additions
- Orange Zest
- Vanilla
Variations
- Strawberry Magic Shell – Process freeze dried strawberries into a powder and use white chocolate chips.
- Matcha Magic Shell – Go green by adding matcha powder into white chocolate.
- Salted Magic Shell – Add thick flakes of sea salt into a dark chocolate shell.
- Peanut Butter Magic Shell –
This is great! Had no idea it was so easy to make this!