2 Ingredient Magic Shell

This 2 Ingredient Magic Shell is made of coconut oil and chocolate! It’s smooth, silky, and hardens perfectly over ice cream

Simple, cost-effective, and customizable, making your Magic Shell at home can be a fun and rewarding experience. Plus, you can say goodbye to unwanted additives or preservatives that you might find in store-bought versions!

Bowl of vanilla ice cream with chocolate shell on top.

Homemade Magic Shell

Magic Shell is a dessert topping that is in liquid form, and when put in contact with something cold or frozen it hardens “Magically” into a chocolate shell. It’s made with chocolate (of course), and coconut oil, which has the ability to solidify at temperatures below 76 degrees F. 

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Coconut oil is very neutral in flavor, so it works well in this recipe. However, if you have a coconut allergy, you could also try using palm oil in it’s place. Organic Palm oil is a little more savory in flavor, but still fairly neutral and should work great. 

How Does Magic Shell Work?

The magic in a Chocolate Magic Shell Recipe is all about science! The shell forms due to the contrast in temperatures between the warm topping and the cold ice cream. As soon as the warm, liquid chocolate hits the cold ice cream, it solidifies into a thin, crackly shell, creating a unique texture that pairs perfectly with the creamy treat below.

Ingredients for magic shell on countertop.

Ingredients for Your Chocolate Ice Cream Topping

Ready to make a Homemade 2 ingredient magic shell? Here’s what you’ll need. As always, the correct measurements are found in the recipe card below. 

How to Make Your Homemade Magic Shell

This recipe is so easy! It’s a microwave magic shell recipe, so it’s no fuss and uses only one bowl. 

Combine Chocolate and Coconut Oil

In a large (microwavable) measuring cup or bowl combine the coconut oil and chocolate chips.

Glass bowl of chocolate chips and coconut oil with spoon.

Melt Together

Microwave in intervals of 30 seconds at 50% power, stirring in between until smooth. 

Glass bowl of melted chocolate and coconut oil with Spoon in bowl.

Pour it over your favorite super-cold ice cream and watch the magic happen!

Why is Magic Shell So Good?

When we talk about Magic Shell, it’s not just about the taste—it’s about the experience. The transformation from a warm liquid to a snappy shell upon touching your ice cream creates a fun and almost magical moment that truly elevates your dessert time.

This unique combination of textures is what makes Magic Shell so irresistible. The shell provides a delightful crunch, a stark contrast to the smooth, creamy ice cream underneath. Each spoonful is a perfect balance of creamy and crunchy, creating a sensory experience that is as satisfying as it is delicious.

Pouring Magic shell over glass dish of vanilla ice cream.

Variations and Substitutions

The beauty of this Chocolate Magic Shell Recipe is its versatility. You’re not just limited to chocolate chips.

What Can I Use in Place of Coconut Oil?

In place of coconut oil, you could also use mild tasting palm oil. 

What Can I Use in Place of Chocolate Chips?

Instead of semi-sweet chocolate chips, try mint, white, butterscotch, or any variety of chocolate chip you like! 

Storing Your Homemade Magic Shell

You can store your Homemade Magic Shell at room temperature in a sealed container. I love using these easy sauce containers for drizzling.

If the mixture solidifies, simply reheat it in the microwave for a few seconds until it reaches a pourable consistency again. This topping can stay fresh for up to a month when stored properly. So, feel free to make a big batch and keep it handy for spontaneous ice cream indulgence!

Hardened chocolate shell over vanilla ice cream.

More Amazing Chocolate Recipes

Chocolate is a central part of happy living at our house! Life is about balance, and we love to have chocolate treat recipes handy. Here are a few of our favorites to try! 

spoon breaking chocolate magic shell topping over vanilla ice cream.

Making your own Homemade Magic Shell Ice Cream Topping is a simple and fun way to bring a bit of magic into your kitchen. So, go ahead and give it a try! The magic is just a scoop of ice cream away.

Bowl of vanilla ice cream with chocolate shell on top.
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5 from 3 votes

2 Ingredient Magic Shell

Magic Shell for much less than what you would pay for a tiny bottle of it at the stores.
Prep Time5 minutes
Total Time5 minutes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Servings: 12
Calories: 242 kcal
Author: Shawn

Ingredients

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Instructions

  • In a large (microwavable) measuring cup or bowl combine the coconut oil and chocolate chips.
  • Microwave in intervals of 30 seconds at 50% power, stirring in between until smooth. Took me 3 intervals to reach the perfect consistency.
  • Drizzle over ice cream and let sit for 30-45 seconds to harden.
  • Store in an air tight container at ROOM TEMPERATURE. (The Magic Shell may harden slightly, but just microwave for a few seconds till it is liquid again.)

Nutrition

Calories: 242kcal | Carbohydrates: 15g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 14g | Cholesterol: 2mg | Sodium: 3mg | Potassium: 161mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 14IU | Calcium: 18mg | Iron: 2mg
Keywords: Chocolate, coconut oil, shell
DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?don’t forget to share a picture and mention @iwashyoudry on Instagram or tag #iwashyoudry!
5 from 3 votes (2 ratings without comment)

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20 Comments

  1. This is the best stuff EVER!!! I enjoy it on a 1/2 cup of low calorie ice cream covered with “magic shell” and raspberries. SO YUMMY!

  2. First of all, I’m stoked about your molten lava cake recipe, thanks for sharing! I’m wondering if you have every tried using unrefined coconut oil. It has a more coconut-y smell and taste which I LOVE, but I’m not sure how it would be in this recipe.

  3. Hi.. I am super excited on seeing the molten lava cake recipe.. I want to make the magic shell too.. but being from the middle east, the coconut oil we get here is liquid at room temperature unlike the oil in your photos. Is there any other substitute? Thank you

    1. Shabna, I’ve had my coconut oil go liquid at high room temp in the US. The melting point is around 73F (25C), I think, but since you put it on ice cream, that shouldn’t be an issue.

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    1. Hi Rochelle! You would probably find it next to the natural foods section, or you could always ask an employee of the store for help. 🙂 You’ll love it, so much better for you than regular oil!

    2. At Target and Walmart where I live, you can buy it by the other oils like vegetable and canola and shortening. I’ve also bought it online (amazon). Health food stores have it as well, but at a higher price.

  5. Can you do this without a microwave? Like on a stovetop? I don’t have a microwave, but I’d love to make this!

    1. Hi Daisy, yes of course! 🙂 just place the chocolate and coconut oil in a glass or metal bowl (one that can fit inside of a small pot without touching the bottom). Add about an inch of water to that small pot and bring to a boil. Place the bowl on top of the pot (creating a gentle and indirect heat, known as a “double boiler”) and stir until the chocolate is smooth. Should work like a charm! 🙂

  6. This is wonderful, all of our dairy queens are going out of business around here and this is an exact match for their chocolate yeah! I am so happy I found this recipe here and it could not possibly get easier. Thanks so much!!!!!!!!!

  7. Oh, yum! I never knew it was that easy to make. I’ve been eyeing the coconut oil at the store, but just have not been able to justify the purchase, yet. Now I have a good excuse with some birthdays coming up! Thanks!

    1. You can also use it to pop popcorn on the stove – that’s what the “butter” is at the movie theater is – or used to be. Get some butter flavored salt, add a little to the coconut oil and melt in a pot on the stove, put in a couple kernels, and when they pop, pull them out & dump in the rest of the popcorn (usually about 1/2 cup – or 1 cup if you need a huge batch).