Homemade Magic Shell Topping
This post may seem contradictory. I’m about to tell you that coconut oil, an oil that has gotten a bad rap for many years for its saturated fat content, is actually really good for you and is probably the best oil to cook with. It’s true. I have a little clip from Dr. Mercola that explains it much better than I could. (And also about saturated fats in general.) He’s not the only one that has said this — I’ve heard it from many reliable sources.But is now the best time to tell you the benefits of coconut oil only to have you add a bunch of chocolate to it?
I suppose. It might ease your conscience a little.
Feel better?Did anyone eat magic shell as a kid?
We did. At Grandma’s house. I loved this stuff.
All the years I ate it, I never bothered to look at the ingredient list. Until I went to college, that is. The first ingredient is sugar (no surprise). The second and third are both oils, one of which is coconut. THEN comes the chocolate. More oil than chocolate? I was devestated. I had a hard time eating magic shell after that. It made sense though — why else would it harden so quickly when it sat on cold ice cream?
Then I found this recipe from AlphaMom.com.
This is by no means a healthy recipe, but if you’re addicted to magic shell, then it’s a small step in the right direction.A very small step.
Homemade Magic Shell Topping
Ingredients:
1 ¼ cups Chocolate Chips
½ cup Coconut Oil (measured when solid)Directions:
Melt chocolate chips and coconut oil in the microwave about 1 minute (depending on your microwave). Allow to sit a few minutes to allow the heat of the oil to melt the chocolate chips and then stir until smooth. It will be runny. You can store it in the cupboard for a couple of weeks and it should stay liquid. If you want to store it in the fridge, just zap it in the microwave to melt it before serving.
Nat's Notes:
1. I made it in a mason jar and kept it in the cupboard for about a week. After a few days it started to thicken up and get slightly clumpy. It's best to use it within a couple of days or plan on microwaving it every time.from Alphamom.com
Jill - "Great post! A few months ago I went on a 4-week no sugar, no..."
pinksuedeshoe - "I very often put myself on a strict sugar/carb free diet. Bu..."
Natalie - "I know, they do, huh? Now that i think of it I don't remembe..."
Katherine — February 19, 2010 @ 9:27 pm
Natalie, I am so excited to try this. I recently fell in love with coconut oil. I have heard that you can use in baking in place of shortening. This is so much fun.
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Sarah — February 19, 2010 @ 10:16 pm
Oh my goodness yes. One of my Bio teachers told us about coconut oil and how our bodies handle it much better than other oils. I'm also really excited to try this. I need to buy some coconut oil for my new favorite lemon chicken too. Thanks
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Melody — February 19, 2010 @ 11:55 pm
I met a girl at the gym who religiously took a spoonful of coconut oil every day. She had lost over 200 lbs. Maybe I should look into coconut oil some more…..
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Sare — February 20, 2010 @ 1:49 am
Nat….I love how when I crave things, they magically appear on your blog. We bought ice cream last week (did you know they have Samoas, girl scout cook, ice cream?….magic shell would be so good with that).
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Natalie — February 20, 2010 @ 3:02 am
Kat – I never thought to use it like shortening! I'll have to try that. I've been using it mostly in place of olive oil when I grease up my skillet.
Melody – Your friend is on to something :) So many people are stuck in the "fat is bad" rut. Trans fats are obviously bad, but there are so many other natural sources of fat that our bodies need. I cook with butter, and all of our dairy is full-fat. (mostly for my petite children) None of us is overweight. In fact, my husband has lost 25 lbs since we moved to California. He snacks on nuts a lot. And switched from skim to whole milk.
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elsbeth — February 20, 2010 @ 4:58 am
coconut oil makes the best popcorn too!
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Ibiam — February 20, 2010 @ 9:50 pm
Coconut oil is also good for hair especially if you love in dry Utah :) Quick question I am shopping around for new pots? Which have you liked the best
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Jessie Jo — February 21, 2010 @ 10:11 pm
Do you find that the coconut oil makes your food taste like coconut? We did, so now the oil is sitting in my cupboard and I am using grapeseed oil. We will be having ice cream and choc shell tonight!
Funeral Potato challenge is on, I am in the testing phase right now. I will post as soon as something is deicious.
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Amanda — October 20, 2010 @ 7:33 pm
OMG Must.Do.This.ASAP!
So glad to have found you via PW :)
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Natalie @ Perrys' Plate — October 20, 2010 @ 9:47 pm
Amanda – Maybe I've redeemed myself for my vegetarian oopsie in the TK post? haha. This stuff rocks. Seriously.
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A Cup Full of Cake — February 22, 2011 @ 4:27 am
I am a HUGE fan of coconut oil – its the only oil I use in all of my cooking and baking and I can't believe I haven't seen this recipe before. If people are turned off by the coconut taste in virgin coconut oil they can try expeller pressed coconut oil – still the exact same benefits as virgin but not the coconutty taste. Tropical Traditions online sells it
I am making some of this magic shell tonight to go on some homemade vanilla bean ice cream!
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bubblewraps — April 12, 2011 @ 9:40 pm
Great recipe, i had always wondered how to make this shell stuff! And really happy to see you use coconut oil for it . I've used both kinds of it, the one that tastes like coconut and the one that tastes more like crisco. I can't leave the coconut tasting stuff alone, its so delicious. We use a huge can of this coconut oil, made in Sweden. It is virtually tasteless,but has the qualities of coconut oil we all love. My guys are going to love this! Thank you!
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