Homemade Magic Shell Ice Cream Topping
I’m old enough to remember life before there was magic shell ice cream toppings. It was first introduced in the 1980’s and over the course of the last 40 years it’s become a classic ice cream treat that you can find in almost any grocery store. But when we get a craving for this chocolatey goodness at our house do we buy it at the store? Nope. You can just make your own magic shell ice cream topping!
How to Make DIY Magic Shell in Either Small or Large Batches
If you’re not familiar with magic shell ice cream topping, it’s an interesting chocolate sauce that hardens up when poured onto cold ice cream, turning into a thin shell that breaks apart when you dig in with your spoon. Magic shell sauce is made with oils that harden at colder temperatures so we can create this same type of sauce at home using just two ingredients – coconut oil and some chocolate chips.
Here are the measurements I use that let me make as much or as little homemade magic shell as I need at a time. For each person I’m serving, I use ¼ cup of chocolate chips + 1 teaspoon of coconut oil. It works like this:
For 1 person: ¼ cup chocolate chips + 1 tsp coconut oil
For 2 people: ½ cup chocolate chips + 2 tsp coconut oil
For 3 people: ¾ cup chocolate chips + 3 tsp coconut oil
For 4 people: 1 cup chocolate chips + 4 tsp coconut oi
. . . and you can keep on increasing for however much you need!
Once you’ve decided on the amount you wish to make, it’s just a matter of popping your ingredients in the microwave. Here are the steps:
And finally, this sauce does have a bit of coconut flavor because of the coconut oil that’s used. But it’s very subtle and actually adds a little extra depth to the flavor. So if you have coconut oil in the house, as well as some chocolate chips, this recipe is a very clever way to use those two ingredients to quickly make your own magic shell ice cream topping at a moment’s notice!
You Can Also: Use Coconut Oil To Clean Stainless Steel Appliances
This post was originally published in July 2013 and updated in March 2025.
Homemade Magic Shell Ice Cream Topping
Equipment:
- Microwave Safe Bowl
Ingredients:
For Each Person you are serving use:
- 1/4 cup Chocolate Chips
- 1 tsp Coconut Oil
Instructions:
- Combine the chocolate chips and coconut oil in a microwave safe bowl.
- Heat for 30 seconds and stir. The chips will be soft but not yet completely melted.
- Heat for another 20 seconds and stir again. The ingredients should now mix together into a smooth sauce.
- Pour over ice cream and it will harden into a shell.
Notes:

I have been wondering for some time if this product would be easy to replicate at home….and now I can’t wait to give it a try. Thank you!
I didn’t say that right! I’ve seen so many unhealthy things recommended at Facebook. * * * ! I read the other day, “This has only two ingredients!” One of which was a cake mix. :/
I didn’t mean YOU, i meant the things i read in general.
I knew what you meant 🙂 I’m really liking the coconut oil in this recipe too instead of more sugar.
Wow, Bev. I’ve seen so many unhealthy things recommended recently that i didn’t have high expectations from this. This is wonderful! Coconut oil is very healthy, in spite of its PR. Of course, i’m currently not eating sugar, but this is a really wonderful alternative to the chemical-laden stuff sold in the stores.
Thanks for sharing. 🙂
Will this taste like coconut? My kids go through bottles of this stuff. Would love to make my own, but the boys don’t like coconuts. Thanks!
There is a slight hint of coconut but I don’t think the kids would notice it. In fact, that’s almost what makes it taste more like the real Magic Shell instead of just tasting like chocolate chips. I definitely think it’s worth a try with the boys!