In just 2 minutes you can whip up a caramel magic shell and take your ice cream to a whole other level. Made with just 4 easy ingredients, this magic shell topping is a delicious addition to any flavor of ice cream.
In addition to caramel, learn how to make a 2-ingredient classic chocolate magic shell as well as a salted peanut butter flavor so that you never run out of flavor options.
Who knew that you could make things like protein powder ice cream BETTER?! But this caramel magic shell does just that. Using a coconut oil base with three other ingredients, this magic shell recipe comes together in just minutes to help you create the ultimate ice cream sundae.
As a Certified Nutrition Coach, this is a recipe I use with my own girls as a treat. I love it in part for its simplicity but also because it contains real-food ingredients instead of fillers which is something I can feel good about giving to my kids.
"Made the classic chocolate for the kids and indulgent caramel for me! I am glad they loved it! These magic shell recipes are definitely a keeper." - Sharina
How Does It Harden?
The beauty of a homemade magic shell is that it hardens immediately when poured onto cold ice cream.
The secret ingredient to how it hardens? Coconut oil!
Because coconut oil is solid at room temperature it makes the perfect base for a caramel magic shell.
This also means though that the coconut oil in the recipes can not be substituted.
Ingredients You Need
The magic shell is made with ingredients you probably already have on hand if you have a well-stocked gluten-free pantry.
Coconut oil: This is the secret ingredient to making a homemade magic shell.
Almond butter: You want natural almond butter and make sure it's fresh. This ensures it'll mix easily with the other ingredients. Peanut butter can work here as well but won't give it as great of a flavor.
Maple syrup: This is what gives the caramel flavor. In fact, its sweetness is the base of dairy-free caramel sauce in general. Make sure you're using real Canadian maple syrup though, not factory made corn-syrup.
Vanilla extract: The purer the vanilla the more potent the flavor! Learn more about types of vanilla.
How Is It Made?
Cold-pressed coconut oil if in liquid form will harden once it touches something cold. So, all you need to do is:
- Melt the coconut oil over very low heat.
- remove from heat and whisk in the other ingredients until smooth.
- Keep warm until ready to use.
- Pour over ice cream and enjoy!
Flavor Variations
While the classic combination of almond butter and vanilla with maple syrup makes for an amazingly delicious dairy-free caramel sauce, there are a few other flavors (all made with minimal ingredients). Know that you can also use the homemade caramel sauce on other items as well.
Classic chocolate: For this magic shell recipe you only need 1 tablespoon of coconut oil and 3 tablespoons of chocolate chips (vegan chocolate chips if needed) for it to come together.
Sated peanut butter: Just like the caramel magic shell, make sure to use natural, fresh peanut butter. You need 1 tablespoon of coconut oil to 2 tablespoons of peanut butter and a pinch of salt.
How To Store It
However, the caramel shell should be placed in a glass jar in the fridge (just like this blueberry simple syrup which is an amazing ice cream topper as well!).
The mixture will harden. You will need to reheat it very slowly so that it doesn't burn..
Hack: if you store it in heat-safe jars, all you need to do is pop the jar into a small saucepan of almost boiling water (about an inch of water). Let it sit for a few minutes until everything is melted again.
Likewise, a microwave would most likely work as well. However, make sure you re-heat in small intervals to avoid burning the mixture.
How To Use It
After you finish making the magic shell, get your ice cream ready.
Then, use a spoon or tip the jar to slowly pour the mixture over top of the ice cream (roughly 1 tablespoon). The colder the ice cream the better.
The magic shell will harden within 20-30 seconds leaving you with a hard, crunchy topper on your ice cream.
Extra Toppings
After you pour the magic shell, you can top your ice cream with anything crunchy to make it the ultimate sundae.
We love:
- Chopped nuts (peanuts and pecans work best!)
- Shredded coconut
- More chocolate chips
- Fresh strawberries
Each time you make the magic shell you can customize your ice cream to create something new and delicious!
Tips For Making & Using Magic Shells
When heating the coconut oil make sure to do it on lower heat and then whisk in the remaining ingredients. Chocolate chips and nut butter burn quickly.
If using the magic shell with an ice cream cone, pour it very slowly over parchment paper. Though the hard chocolate shell is quick, the caramel magic shell takes a few seconds to harden so it can be messy (a bowl is best!)
You can use the mixtures on ice cream, smoothie bowls, or anything else you want to make decadent!
The recipes make only about ⅛th of a cup. Thus, if you have a larger family or need these for a party, double the batches!
Don’t forget to pin these homemade magic shell recipes!
Frequently Asked Questions About Magic Shell Flavors
Many commercial brand magic shells will have added ingredients that can be detrimental to your health. However, making a homemade magic shell instead means that you can eliminate many of these ingredients. While the magic shell recipes are still an indulgence and contain sugar, they also contain simple and healthier ingredients than store-bought.
The secret ingredient of a homemade magic shell is coconut oil. Because coconut oil hardens at cooler temperatures it crystalizes when it touches the cold ice cream.
The best part about a chocolate, peanut butter, or caramel magic shell is that is works on more than just ice cream! Smoothie bowls and frozen fruit are just as delicious topped with a magic shell.
Other Indulgent Frozen Treats
- Chocolate peanut butter nice cream
- Frozen chocolate dipped bananas
- Watermelon slushie
- Peanut butter protein ice cream
Homemade Caramel Magic Shell (Vegan)
Video
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon Coconut oil measured hard
- 0.5 teaspoon Coconut oil measured hard
- 2 tablespoon Almond butter natural and fresh
- 2 tablespoon Maple syrup
- ¼ tablespoon Vanilla extract
Instructions
- In a small pot, melt the coconut oil over low heat. Turn the heat off and stir in the remaining ingredients until combined very well.
- Portion your ice cream into a bowl.
- Use immediately by pouring the magic shell overtop of the ice cream.
- Watch it harden, top with your favorite crunchy things (almonds, peanuts etc) and enjoy!
Notes
- You do need both the tablespoon and half a teaspoon of coconut oil, otherwise the caramel shell won't harden as well.
- Makes about ⅛th of a cup.
- When heating the coconut oil make sure to do it on lower heat and then whisk in the remaining ingredients. Nut butter burns easily.
- If using the magic shell with an ice cream cone, pour it very slowly and over parchment paper. The magic shell takes a few seconds to harden so it can be messy (a bowl is best!)
- Nutrition facts are calculated at one tablespoon per serving.
Disclaimer:
Nutrition values are estimates only, using online calculators. Please verify using your own data"
Ali says
I made the salted peanut butter one for my niece and she loved it!!! Planning on making chocolate next - I love that you shared variations, too!! Thank you!!
fitasamamabear says
It's nice to have choices lol glad she liked the peanut butter!
Janice says
It's a guilt-free homemade magic shell that I would recommend everyone try. I tried making the classic chocolate flavor, and it was truly delicious and perfect for the ice cream! My kids also loved it! Such a must-try!
fitasamamabear says
Chocolate is a life staple!
Gina says
So easy and the perfect touch to any frozen treat! I love doing this on my breakfast smoothie bowls.
fitasamamabear says
It's my favorite on smoothie bowls- so indulgent!
Sharina says
Made the classic chocolate for the kids and indulgent caramel for me! I am glad they loved it! These magic shell recipes are definitely a keeper.
fitasamamabear says
It's nice to be able to whip them up so quickly eh
Jane says
I love this recipe! I've been looking for a quick and easy magic shell recipe that doesn't have any weird ingredients, and I'm so glad I found this one. It's incredibly simple, but the results are delicious! My kids are going to love it.
fitasamamabear says
It's SO simple. That's my favorite part lol
Dani Meyer says
This is so easy!
fitasamamabear says
It is! It has to be... no one wants to wait for something so yummy 😛
roeleen vd merwe says
Made the peanut butter. Was a bit to peanut and then I added some homemade chocolate sauce and a bit more coconut oil. Wonderful combination of chocolate and peanut butter. I will be trying today with Caramel treat in a tin and hope it works
fitasamamabear says
Mmm that sounds like the best flavor combo ever haha anything peanut butter chocolate is a win1