Easy 2-Ingredient magic Chocolate Shell For ice Cream

This summer, you have to try our easy 2-Ingredient Chocolate Shell For Ice Cream! This homemade magic shell topping recipe adds a perfect chocolatey crunch to your favorite scoop of ice cream!

How many fun memories do you have that include ice cream?

It just feels like one of the most FUN desserts. (Though, basically, I think all dessert is fun…)

Ice cream is one of my parents’ favorite desserts, so it was often the one we turned to when it was time for a treat. There were lots of Sundays growing up when we’d eat a bigger lunch and then just have popcorn and a bowl of ice cream for dinner. (It felt like such a treat!) Or, on vacation, we’d go out for an ice cream cone and I’d order a chocolate-dipped cone because I loved the crackly crunch of the hard chocolate shell with the cold creaminess of the ice cream underneath.

It’s just one of those treats that feels so fun to eat!

Well today, I’m excited to share the secrets of homemade magic chocolate shell that tastes as good as the kind you get from an ice cream shop. When you’re done, you’ll be able to make that magic chocolate sauce that hardens as soon as it touches the cold ice cream right in your own kitchen!

Here’s the biggest secret of all: you only need TWO simple ingredients and less than 5 minutes to make it. Really! It’s one of the easiest ice cream toppings to make. Let’s dive in!

The 2 Ingredients You Need To Make Chocolate Shell

If you’ve ever wondered “what is chocolate shell made of?,” the answer might surprise you! The only two ingredients are chocolate chips and coconut oil! That means it’s super easy to make this easy homemade version when the craving strikes. Let’s take a closer look at what each ingredient does in this magic shell recipe…

1. Chocolate Chips. Firstly, you’ll need chocolate chips (or the same amount of chopped chocolate bars) to make this magic chocolate sauce. The combination of cocoa solids and fat makes it a better choice than cocoa powder texturally, and it adds a rich, gorgeous chocolate flavor. But the real secret ingredient is…
2. Coconut Oil. Adding coconut oil to the chocolate is what makes chocolate shell harden! Using refined coconut oil will give your chocolate shell a more neutral flavor, while virgin coconut oil will allow some of the coconut flavor to come through. Use whichever works best for your taste!

As always, you can find the full recipe including the ingredient amounts, step by step instructions, recipe notes and more in the recipe card below!

How To Make Homemade Chocolate Shell, Step-By-Step

Now that you’ve got your chocolate shell ingredients (just chocolate chips + coconut oil!), you’re ready to make some magic shell! Here’s what you’ll do, step-by-step. Don’t worry, it’s an easy recipe!

1. In a medium microwave-safe bowl, combine chocolate chips and coconut oil.
2. Next, microwave in 20-30 second increments, stirring well between each one. (I recommend a lower power setting (like MELT or DEFROST) if you have one for extra caution.)
3. Melt until the chocolate has just a few tiny pieces of chocolate chips left and stir until the residual heat from the chocolate has melted them. The chocolate sauce should be totally smooth and glossy.
4. Add flavors if you want. If you’re adding any mix-ins (like salt, vanilla, peppermint extract, etc.) stir those in at this point.
5. Transfer to a jar & let it cool a minute or two so it doesn’t instantly melt the ice cream. I transfer mine to a jar for easy storage and pouring.
6. Pour over ice cream or frozen treats and watch it harden! It’ll only take a minute or so!

Now you’re ready to use it! Here are some of our favorite uses for magic shell chocolate sauce…

Yummy Ways To Use Chocolate Shell

Unlike regular chocolate sauce or thick hot fudge, homemade chocolate magic shell immediately hardens when it comes in contact with cold treats. It’s such a fun texture to play with, and these are some of our favorite ways to play up the magic of magic shell topping:

• As a Topping For Ice Cream. Our favorite! Drizzle chocolate shell over your favorite ice cream and watch it harden. It’ll go from shiny and glossy liquid chocolate to more matte as it turns into a hard shell. This only takes a few seconds! (Try it on ice cream sundaes, too!)
• To Garnish Milkshakes or Nice Cream. Or, use our magic shell as a garnish for milkshakes or nice cream recipes (like this Healthy Cookie Dough Nice Cream).
• To Dip Frozen Banana Pops. Make chocolate-dipped banana pops by freezing bananas on popsicle sticks and dipping into this magic shell. Then add your favorite toppings for a fun & healthier treat!
• To Make Homemade TrüFrü Bites. Dip frozen raspberries in this chocolate coating and set them on a baking sheet lined with parchment to set. The combination of chocolate and frozen fruit tastes unbelievably good!
• To Top Hi-Hat Cupcakes. Have you ever tried one of these epic cupcakes? You top your favorite cupcake with Swiss meringue frosting, chill or freeze until VERY cold, then dip in chocolate shell. It makes for epic presentation!

Will Magic Shell Harden On Cupcakes or Cake? Only if your cupcakes or cake are cold. If they’re room temperature or warm, the chocolate won’t harden quickly (because the saturated fats won’t turn solid at room temperature, like they do at cold temperatures). Cupcakes should be placed in the refrigerator at least 1 hour or the freezer at least 30-60 minutes before you attempt to add chocolate shell to ensure that they’re cold.

FAQ + Tips For The Best Chocolate Shell Every Time:

How To Store Chocolate Shell Topping. You DON’T want to refrigerate or freeze chocolate shell to store, as it will immediately harden and turn into a giant rock. Instead, leftover magic shell tightly in an airtight jar or container and store at room temperature, where you can easily re-heat it in the microwave or on the stove to use again. Leftover chocolate shell or magic shell will keep well at room temperature about 2 weeks or so.

How Do You Re-Heat Chocolate Shell? Since you’re storing it at room temperature, leftover chocolate shell is easy to re-heat. You can re-warm it in the microwave (scoop out what you need or store in a microwave-safe jar/container) in short bursts of 20-30 seconds, until it’s reached a smooth, glossy liquid consistency again. Or, re-heat over low heat on the stove.

Can I Use Something Besides Coconut Oil To Make Chocolate Shell? Shortening or avocado oil can be used, though your results and flavor will vary slightly.

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Originally shared October 2021. Updated April 2024.