This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure and privacy policy.
The real magic in this magic shell recipe? You don’t need refined sugar to make it. Most recipes online will tell you to melt chocolate chips with some coconut oil to make a 2-ingredient magic shell, but you can make a naturally sweetened one even faster.
This way, YOU get to control the sweetness level and the amount of chocolate flavor.
I originally posted this recipe after sharing my chocolate peanut butter bars, which use this magic shell as the top layer. However, I learned later that it’s just as delicious with a little less cacao powder, too. That’s the ratio I used for my Almond Joy Bars.
Whichever ratio YOU decide to use, I think you’ll love this.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Featured Review
“What a simple and delicious sauce for ice cream! We’ve also served over pancakes and my boys love it as a general chocolate sauce too!”
– Betsy
Table of Contents
Ingredients for Homemade Magic Shell
- Coconut Oil. This is the not-so-secret ingredient to magic shell. It hardens below 76ºF, so it sets in seconds when it touches cold ice cream. Make sure you buy refined or expeller-pressed coconut oil if you don’t want coconut flavor. (Virgin coconut oil will add a coconut taste.)
- Cacao Powder. I always use cacao powder rather than cocoa powder, because that’s what we keep in the pantry. However, I think either option will work for this! You can taste and add more cacao as you go for a
- Maple Syrup. Not to be confused with processed pancake syrup, this is a natural sweetener with the perfect flavor and runny consistency. You can quickly stir it in and adjust the sweetness to your liking.
Variation: Try Peanut Butter Magic Shell for a non-chocolate option.
How to Make Magic Shell (Step by Step)
Step 1:
Melt the coconut oil, then measure it when it’s liquid. Combine 3 tablespoons cocoa powder, 1/4 cup maple syrup, and 1/4 cup melted coconut oil in a large bowl.
Use a whisk to stir well until the mixture looks smooth and uniform.
Pro Tip: If your kitchen is cold, fill your mixing bowl with hot tap water and let it sit on the counter for a few minutes. This step will warm up the bowl, so the coconut oil won’t harden as you mix everything.
Step 2:
Taste the chocolate shell mixture, and adjust as you see fit. You can add a little extra cocoa powder for a dark chocolate flavor. (Start with just one teaspoon at a time.)
Or, for a sweeter taste, you can add more maple syrup.
3. Enjoy!
Once the chocolate magic shell is ready, spoon it over your favorite ice cream. It should harden in just about 60 seconds. If you want to add sprinkles, add them quickly after adding the chocolate shell, as they won’t stick once it hardens.
Homemade Magic Shell (with NO chocolate chips!)
Ingredients
- 3 to 4 tablespoons cocoa powder (or cacao powder)
- ⅓ cup refined coconut oil , melted
- ⅓ cup maple syrup
Instructions
- Start with warm or room-temperature ingredients for the best results. Combine the cocoa powder, melted coconut oil, and maple syrup in a large bowl and whisk to combine.
- When no clumps remain, the magic shell is ready to use immediately. Serve it over your favorite ice cream, and store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week. You can also store it in the fridge for up to 1 month, but you'll need to warm it up to make it pour-able again.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
More Recipes to Try
If you try this homemade Magic Shell recipe, please leave a comment and star rating below to let me know how you like it.
Want to save this for later?
I'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!
The family loves this recipe! Adults down to 3yo, all enjoyed it over bowl of banana-strawberry-pineapple. Quick and easy. “So yummy, tell her 5stars” said by 7yo!
What a simple and delicious sauce for ice cream! We’ve also served over pancakes and my boys love it as a general chocolate sauce too!
What happens if u use unrefined coconut oil?
Unrefined coconut oil has a more prominent coconut flavor, so the magic shell will taste like coconut. It’s not a big deal if you don’t mind the taste!
Really good and so quick and easy. Getting ready to make my second batch. Thank you!
This recipe is pure genius. It tasted so good! I can’t wait to serve it tomorrow when my friends are over 🙂 made sure to keep some naturally refined coconut oil in stock to try out your awesome recipes.
Why did I wait so long to make this?
It’s absolutely delicious and perfect!!!!
Another superb recipe!!!!!