Magic Shell Recipe – Sugar Free Chocolate Shell

Ahhh, summer sun and fun gatherings call for an ice cream dessert bar! Add this magic shell recipe to your toppings list and watch a chocolate shell form in minutes!

This post is sponsored by Voortman Bakery. The content and opinions expressed below are that of The Foodie Affair.

vanilla ice cream in a clear dish with chocolate on top

How Does The Chocolate Shell Work?

Magic shell chocolate is probably one of my favorite topping to add to ice cream as a kid. Watching the shell magically harden in minutes was mesmerizing!

What was the key ingredient to make the magic happen? Food-grade paraffin wax was often used in the ingredient list.

Yes, wax!

Thankfully, paraffin wax isn’t used as often anymore, and kids born in the 60’s and 70’s are just fine! lol

Today, fatty oils like coconut oil are used in place of wax.

The first ingredient listed on the pre-made chocolate shell Smucker’s is sugar, which is much too sweet for my adult tastebuds!

Followed in order are the ingredients used in the greatest amount first of pre-made chocolate shell;

  • Sugar
  • Sunflower Oil
  • Coconut Oil
  • Cocoa
  • Soy Lecithin – food additive used as an emulsifier
  • Milk
  • Salt
  • Vanilla
homemade magic shell recipe in a blue jar

Magic Shell Recipe 2 Ingredients

For this homemade recipe, granulated sugar is eliminated by using dark chocolate stevia sweetened baking chips.

Ice cream is sweet enough, which is why sugar-free topping is a perfect topping!

This recipe uses two ingredients.

  • Chocolate Chips
  • Coconut oil

Microwave or Double Boiler Method

Toppings For Ice Cream Bar

Ice cream bars are super super fun and easy to set up for a summer time gathering!

Start with a basic vanilla ice cream, then let your imagination go wild with the toppings.

Some of my favorite toppings are;

Ice cream bar toppings on a wooden tray

More Ways To Use Magic Shell

Pouring a scoop of magic shell over a bowl of ice cream is a delicious way to add some pizazz to ice cream.

For an extra special ice cream bar, dip each Voortman Bakery wafer into the chocolate to add a coating of chocolate shell!

First, place the wafers on a baking sheet and place in the freezer. In about 20 minutes the cookies will be nice and cold. Dip the frozen cookie into the magic shell chocolate.

Next, watch the chocolate shell harden just like it does on ice cream!

This same method can be used on a variety of foods! What would you like to see coated in magic shell?

TIP – in a hurry? Place dipped cookies in the freezer to speed up the chocolate hardening process.

You Also Might Like These Other Voortman Bakery Recipes

  • No-bake Eclair Dessert – layered dessert with vanilla wafers, fresh pastry cream, and chocolate ganache!  
  • Apple Spice Cream Cheese Ball – Cream cheese ball mixed with a combination of apple pie spices, sweetener, and then topped with pumpkin cookie crumbs and pecans!
  • Strawberry Mousse Recipe – Easy light and airy strawberry mousse recipe made with fresh whipped cream, sweetener, and sugar-free strawberry puree.
  • Mini Cheesecake Recipe – No bake bite size treat made with a wafer cookie crumb base, then topped with a creamy no bake cheesecake filling.
Magic shell on vanilla ice cream in a clear dish

Magic Shell Recipe – Sugar Free Chocolate Topping

Homemade magic shell for ice cream. Watch how the chocolate syrup transforms into chocolate shell magically once it coats the ice cream!
4.93 from 14 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: dessert, keto, low carb, sugar free
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 3 minutes
Total Time: 8 minutes
Servings: 1 cup
Calories: 28kcal
Author: Sandra Shaffer

Ingredients

  • 1 cup stevia sweetened chocolate chips
  • 2 tablespoons coconut oil

Instructions

  • Place chocolate and coconut oil in a small microwave safe bowl.
  • Melt ingredients in the microwave in soften mode or low for 30 seconds. Continue to heat in 30 second increments until chocolate is melted.
  • Stir chocolate and coconut until smooth.
  • Place in a jar with a lid.
  • Spoon over ice cream and watch the chocolate magically harden.

Notes

The chocolate can also be melted in a double boiler. Place in pan with simmering water. Stir until melted and smooth.

Nutrition

Serving: 1tablespoon | Calories: 28kcal | Carbohydrates: 1.5g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Sugar: 1g

Disclaimer

Please note that the nutritional information provided are guidelines and may vary based on the brand of products used. For your specific nutritional goals use My Fitness Pal or Verywell Fit recipe calculators. All content within this site is not intended as medical diagnosis or treatment and should not be considered a substitute for professional medical expertise.

Homemade magic shell recipe with two ingredients - sugar free chocolate baking chips and coconut oil.  Enjoy this for your summer time treat! #magic #icecream #summer #recipe #dessert #healthy #sugarfree #lowcarb #keto
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4.93 from 14 votes (14 ratings without comment)

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23 Comments

  1. You talked about a chocolate hard shell recipe using edible wax and cocoa. I am looking for a recipe that is low fat basically using wax, stevia with some sugar, and cocoa.

  2. Magic shell was one of my favorite ice cream toppings as a kid. How fun to make it at home, with wholesome ingredients and without all of the sugar. I love the idea to dip wafer cookies in it as well for a garnish, as well as a summer ice cream bar. I can just picture all of my friends and their kids having a blast constructing their own sundaes!

      1. Hi Regan, yes, you can use sugar free chips without changing any other ingredient. However, the color and texture may be off depending on the sweetener that is used in the chips.

  3. This totally reminds me of when I was a kid, going to Dairy Queen and wondering how they had that hardened chocolate shell sitting so delicately over my soft serve. To know I can somewhat imitate that at home on my own ice cream is pretty damn exciting! I love the ice cream bar topping ideas, too. I think we need to do this at our next party 😉

  4. Ooooh! I’ve never tried making magic shell before but it would bring me right back to my childhood. I loved those dipped ice cream cones where you could watch the chocolate harden on the ice cream. SO COOL!

  5. Isn’t it amazing how we survived the 70’s? LOL!!! My kids totally freaked out when I told them we were making magic shell!! It turned out perfectly, and we enjoyed it so much! Thank you!!

  6. This is going to be so much fun to make with my granddaughter. I love Magic Shell and especially your version without all of the sugar! Strawberries will be amazing for our little Magic Shell activity!

  7. I always loved magic shell growing up but I haven’t had it in years! Such a fun nostalgic thing to make now. I also love that it doesn’t have any refined sugar in it!

  8. Ice cream covered in magic shell was also one of my favorite treats as a child. I love this grown-up, sugar-free version! It looks like it would be delicious over some good-quality vanilla ice cream, but I might also try to dip some frozen fruit in it for a great summer snack. Thank you for the great recipe!

  9. I always wondered how that magic shell was made…though I’m not so happy to hear what the usual ingredient list is. Love how you simplified and let go of all the junk in the recipe. Such a fun thing to make with the kids. YAY.

  10. Sugar free chocolate shell for the win! This was so easy to make— definitely going to make this a regular occurrence at our house this summer! Thanks!

  11. Yay for sugar free! I love reducing sugar when I can, and I love that you made this recipe naturally sugar free. And it’s great that your recipe is so simple! I’m all about easy to make recipes, this will be perfect for our ice cream night this weekend

  12. I didn’t see how much coconut oil in the recipe card — could you add that please? This is a recipe I’d like to keep on hand. Who doesn’t love a bit of chocolate on things. Even dipping cookies in it and also using it as a drizzle. Love the idea of coconut oil vs. vegetable. I’m pinning.

    1. Thanks Marisa! Yes, I got a little crazy with the dipping. Try freezing bananas and strawberries then dip in the magic shell. So yummy! I fixed the recipe card. Thanks pointing the missing ingredients (2 tablespoons coconut oil).

  13. This is great. My grandkids LOVE this stuff. Now I can make it at home instead of buying it in the store. They will be thrilled.

  14. What a fun and easy recipe! I loved magic shell as a kid and now I can love it as an adult without the guilt! Thanks for sharing…can’t wait to try it!