How to Make Homemade Chocolate Shell (with 4 Ingredients)

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A crunchy chocolate topping is the perfect addition to a sundae bar for your next party or just your next bowl of ice cream! This chocolate shell is quick and simple to make and will surely impress your next guest and their taste buds. Just drizzle your desired amount on the ice cream, watch it solidify and enjoy! 

What is “Chocolate Shell”?

Chocolate shell is a homemade version of the Magic Shell ice cream topping that is commercially made by Smuckers.

Why Make Chocolate Shell at Home?

While the store bought version of chocolate shell can be delicious, it may have ingredients that you or a loved one cannot eat (such as soy) or you are choosing not to eat seed oils. You may also not want to store a whole container of chocolate shell when you only eat it seasonally or intermittently throughout the year. 

Making your own allows you to control the ingredients for any dietary restrictions and you can choose to make as little or as much as you want for your ice cream needs. 

Are you interested in learning how to make your own delicious ice cream? You might enjoy these recipes:

• Rich Chocolate Ice Cream
• Creamy Vanilla Ice Cream
• Delicious Vanilla Bean Ice Cream

Ingredients for Homemade Chocolate Shell

Chocolate Chips

Chocolate chips are tied for the most important ingredient in this recipe. Without chocolate chips, you would just be adding vanilla flavored coconut oil on top of your ice cream. While that may sound good to some, it’s not exactly the experience you are probably looking for. 

Just about any type of chocolate chips will work for this recipe. Semi-sweet will likely produce a flavor that is most similar to the store bought version. Feel free to use your favorite kind or whatever you have on hand.   

Coconut oil

The addition of coconut oil is what will make this delicious chocolate topping into a crispy treat! This is because Coconut oil is a type of saturated fat & is a solid at room temperature. When you mix melted coconut oil with the other ingredients listed here and then pour it over cold ice cream, it spreads out but quickly hardens in your bowl. You can then easily break the chocolate into delicious bite sized pieces with your spoon. 

Vanilla

Although only a small amount is used, vanilla extract adds a unique flavor that balances all of the other ingredients really well. If you don’t have vanilla extract, it’s okay to skip it but I highly recommend you use it if it’s available. 

If you want to learn how to make your own vanilla extract, this Easy Homemade Vanilla Extract recipe is perfect for you! 

Sea Salt

Although this chocolate shell for ice cream can be made without salt, the two small pinches in this recipe will balance and enhance the sweetness from the chocolate chips.

If you choose to add sea salt, be sure to use a high quality salt, such as Redmond Real Salt. A true sea salt like Redmond’s will add trace minerals to your delicious treat!

What To Do When Your Chocolate Shell Hardens

If you are preparing this chocolate shell ahead of a party or for general use, the chocolate will likely solidify in your container. To re-liquify, gently warm up your container in hot water or by transferring to a small saucepan and heating on low until fluid again.

Ingredients and Tools

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2 1/2 TBSP coconut oil

1/4 tsp vanilla extract

1/2 cup chocolate chips

2 pinches of salt – I like to use Redmond Real Salt for the added minerals

A glass jar or airtight storage container 

A silicone spatula

A double boiler

Measuring cups and spoons

Directions

1. Add all ingredients to the bowl of your double boiler
2. In the double boiler, gently melt all ingredients on medium-low heat. 
3. Stir periodically while all ingredients are melting together.
4. When all of the ingredients are melted and well mixed, Take off the heat and transfer to your storage or serving container.
5. Your chocolate shell is now ready to use! Enjoy on top of your favorite ice cream. 

Storing Unused Chocolate Shell

If you do not use all of the shell you have made, secure the lid to your airtight storage container and store at room temperature for around 3 weeks. Use your senses if it’s been a while since you’ve last used your chocolate shell. 

If you are preparing this chocolate shell ahead of a party or for general future use, the chocolate will likely solidify in your container. To reliquify, gently warm up your container in hot water or by transferring to a small saucepan and heating on low until fluid again.

Homemade Chocolate Shell Recipe FAQ:

What is Chocolate Shell?

Chocolate shell is a homemade version of the Magic Shell ice cream topping that is commercially made by Smuckers.

Why Make Chocolate Shell at Home?

While the store bought version of chocolate shell can be delicious, it may have ingredients that you or a loved one cannot eat (such as soy) or ingredients that you are choosing not to eat (like seed oils). Additionally, you may not want to store a whole container of chocolate shell when you only eat it seasonally or intermittently throughout the year. 

Making your own allows you to control the ingredients for any dietary restrictions. You can also make as little or as much as you want for your ice cream needs. 

I didn’t use all of my chocolate shell, can I store it for later?

If you do not use all of the shell you have made, you can save it for later. Secure the lid to your airtight storage container and store at room temperature for around 3 weeks. Use your senses if it’s been a while since you’ve last used your chocolate shell. 

If you store any for later use, be aware that this will likely solidify in your container. To re-liquify, gently warm up your container in hot water or by transferring to a small saucepan and heating on low until fluid again.

Can I make this chocolate shell in advance of using it?

Yes! If you are preparing this chocolate shell ahead of a party or for general future use, be aware that this will likely solidify in your container. To re-liquify, gently warm up your container in hot water or by transferring to a small saucepan and heating on low until fluid again.

Did you try this? Share your creations in the comments or by tagging @MissysHomestead on Instagram.