White Chocolate Peppermint Magic Shell Recipe

If you loved magic shell as a kid, this holiday version of the original will be an instant favorite. Creamy and minty with crushed candy canes, this magic shell recipe hardens into a luscious candy shell within 30 seconds of being drizzled over your frozen dessert. Dress up plain ice cream with festive white chocolate peppermint magic shell recipe.
Table of Contents
The Magic Ingredient In Magic Shell Recipes:
Coconut oil is the “magic ingredient” in all magic shell recipes. Why? One very simple reason… Coconut oil is solid below 76° F (25° C). Therefore, when coconut oil is poured over freezing cold ice cream, it hardens up faster than super-glue, creating a melt-in-your-mouth candy shell that’ll make you feel like a kid again.
Magic Shell Ingredients:
- Good White Chocolate (bars or chips)
- Coconut Oil
- Corn Syrup
- Peppermint Extract
- Crushed Peppermint Candies
- Red Food Coloring (optional)
This magic shell recipe needs just a handful of ingredients and a few minutes to come together. I suspect that if your pantry is “holiday-stocked” you’ve probably already got everything you’ll need lurking on the shelves. White chocolate — you can use white chocolate chips or a few bars of white chocolate. The better quality white chocolate, the better, but I’m not going to get nit-picky here. To melt the white chocolate, use a double boiler or my cheater’s method by microwaving it in 15-20 second bursts (stirring in between) until it’s smooth and creamy.
Some crushed peppermint candies, peppermint extract and a bit of corn syrup along with the white chocolate and coconut oil bring this ice cream topping together. Red food coloring to give it a festive blush, is optional. I’ve made this without the food coloring — it’s a lovely cream color that gives it a more sophisticated look (if you can use the term “sophisticated” to describe magic shell) that benefits from a sprinkle of crushed peppermint sprinkled on top.
Stir in the crushed peppermint candies and voilà! A holiday magic shell recipe that transforms plain-jane vanilla into a festive, seasonal treat. It goes well with a rich vanilla or deep chocolate ice cream. But if your a mint fiend like my daughter, stick around — because I’ll have a Triple Peppermint Ice Cream coming to the blog soon.
Make sure you have plenty of ice cream on hand…
Speaking of my daughter… I admit that I made this white chocolate magic shell before I actually had any ice cream in the house. You should have heard Emily when she found out I’d made magic shell, but there was NO ICE CREAM to put it on. You’d have thought I’d put her into a torture chamber.
The next day, with a carton of Breyer’s in hand, she finally got her white chocolate peppermint treat… with extra crushed peppermint sprinkled on top for good measure.
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White Chocolate Magic Shell
INGREDIENTS:
- 8 ounces white chocolate (chips or bar)
- 5 ounces coconut oil
- 1 tablespoon corn syrup
- 1 teaspoon peppermint extract
- 1 ½ tablespoons crushed peppermint candies
- 2-3 drops red food coloring optional
DIRECTIONS:
- Place the white chocolate in a microwavable glass bowl. Heat in the microwave in 15 second intervals, stirring between each until the white chocolate is melted and smooth. About 1 to 1 1/2 minutes total.
- Stir in the coconut oil, corn syrup and peppermint extract. Microwave for an additional 10-20 seconds and stir until the coconut oil is completely melted.
- Stir in the red food coloring until you achieve the desired color.
- Stir in crushed peppermint. Transfer to a microwaveable glass storage jar with removable lid. Magic shell will harden up in the refrigerator. To serve, microwave in 15 second bursts, stirring after each, about 30 seconds and drizzle over ice cream. Magic shell will harden in about 30 seconds on the cold ice cream.
NUTRITION:
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Full Disclosure: There have been a lot of “health” benefits being bandied about regarding coconut oil — while it may have some nutritive qualities, let’s not forget that coconut oil is essentially a saturated fat — and that’s not good for your heart. Enjoy it in moderation — like in the seasonal holiday treat that this white chocolate peppermint magic shell recipe is.
When I was a wee girl, my nana used to bring us to a local ice cream shop and I always got magic shell on my ice cream! I haven’t had it in forever so I am so making it asap. It looks delicious Lisa!
Thank you, Elaine! I hope you enjoy it!
Oh who didn’t love that crispy crunchy sweet chocolate? This peppermint sounds better to me in my old age! I am totally trying this when my kids get home for the holidays! Thanks for the inspiration!
I think this is a great project with the kids for the holidays — and they get ice cream as a reward!
You had me at peppermint! I can’t wait to try this recipe!
I have wanted to try my hand at making magic shell for a while. I just never did — don’t know why! Your recipe though is putting me in the Christmas cooking mood, so I think I might make a batch today!
This is such a great idea! My kids are going to devour this festive little treat! Thank you for sharing.