Chocolate Magic Shell

Witnessing Magic Shell for the first time was a collective wonder for most kids growing up in America. We all thought the same thing when we saw the liquid chocolate transform into a hard, crackly shell around cold ice cream: It must be magic! Now we know that it was indeed magic—along with 10 other ingredients. As it turns out, homemade Magic Shell is easy to make at home with just melted chocolate and coconut oil. Seriously, that’s it!

So next time you’re craving a bit of sweet nostalgia or want something fun for the kids, stir up this homemade magic shell. Spoon it over ice cream or use it to coat fudge pops, waffle cones or ice cream sandwiches. It’s the perfect secret ingredient to keep in the pantry all summer long.

Ingredients for Homemade Magic Shell

• Chocolate: The best kinds of chocolate to use for homemade Magic Shell are quality chopped-up baking bars, chocolate discs or the best chocolate chips. Always use real chocolate and skip the candy melts; they’ll separate. We use a mix of semisweet and dark chocolate here for a deeply chocolaty flavor.
• Coconut oil: Coconut oil is what makes the Magic Shell harden. Refined coconut oil won’t impart much coconut flavor, so if you do want to taste some coconut, use an unrefined product.
• Ice cream: Since there are so few ingredients in this dessert, spring for the good vanilla ice cream. Your go-to brand is perfect, but if you don’t have one, I recommend Van Leeuwen or Costco’s Kirkland brand.

Directions

Step 1: Melt the chocolate and coconut oil

Break out your double boiler or place a metal bowl on top of a saucepan filled part way with hot water (make sure the water isn’t touching the bowl, or the chocolate will burn).

Add in the chocolate and coconut oil, and melt them, stirring, until the mixture is completely smooth.

Editor’s Tip: You can also melt the chocolate in the microwave, then stir in the coconut oil. However, be careful, as chocolate can burn easily in the microwave. Do this in 20-second increments, stirring every time.

Step 2: Let it cool slightly, then pour it

Remove the mixture from the heat. Let it cool slightly at room temperature, then pour it over the vanilla ice cream and watch it harden.

How to Use Homemade Magic Shell

• Pour it on ice cream: The most classic way to enjoy Magic Shell is to spoon it over scoops of ice cream. Vanilla is the most common, but other flavors you should try are chocolate, strawberry, peanut butter, mint chocolate chip, rocky road, cookie dough and Neapolitan.
• Dip fresh fruit: Place cleaned and dried fresh fruit in the freezer, then dip it in Magic Shell and freeze it until it’s hardened. This is a great way to coat cherries, strawberries, blueberries or pineapple in chocolate. You could even sprinkle the dipped fruit with chopped nuts before the Magic Shell hardens.
• Dip ice cream bars or sandwiches: Pour your chocolate Magic Shell into a tall drinking glass and dip store-bought or homemade fudge pops to coat them like an ice cream bar. Or pour Magic Shell in a bowl and half-dip homemade ice cream sandwiches.
• Dunk a cone: Store-bought waffle cones bring the ice cream parlor fun to your home kitchen, but to make them even more gourmet, dip them in Magic Shell. Place the cones in the freezer for a bit first, though, so the Magic Shell can harden when you dip them. Before it sets, feel free to cover the chocolate with crushed peanuts or rainbow sprinkles.
• Make a healthier chocolate bark: Yogurt bark is a great make-ahead dessert to keep in the freezer. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, then smooth out yogurt and top it with fruit. Freeze the yogurt bark, then drizzle on Magic Shell for a chocolaty component.

How to Store Homemade Magic Shell

Store homemade Magic Shell in a mason jar at room temperature. Coconut oil will harden below 76°F, so you may need to give it a quick spin in the microwave if it’s cold outside. Don’t store it in the fridge, or the Magic Shell will harden.

How long does homemade Magic Shell last?

Homemade Magic Shell will last up to two weeks when stored properly at room temperature. If it separates, just give it a quick shake or stir it before using it.

Homemade Magic Shell Tips

How long does it take for homemade Magic Shell to harden?

It only takes homemade Magic Shell about 15 to 30 seconds to harden on something cold. However, it has to be cold! The chocolate Magic Shell won’t harden—or at least won’t harden very well—on anything that’s room temperature, and certainly not on anything that’s hot.

Can I make homemade Magic Shell with butter instead of coconut oil?

Yes, you can make homemade Magic Shell with butter instead of coconut oil. To do so, melt 1 cup of semisweet chocolate, 1/4 cup of cubed butter and 3 tablespoons of evaporated milk in a heavy saucepan over medium-low heat. Stir the mixture continuously until it’s completely smooth. Pour it into a heat-safe bowl, and let it cool for a few minutes. Spoon it over ice cream and enjoy your buttery chocolate Magic Shell.