Basic Chocolate Shell Topping Food

BASIC CHOCOLATE CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Coat two 9-inch-round cake pans with cooking spray and line the bottoms with parchment paper.
• Whisk the cocoa powder and 1 1/2 cups boiling water in a medium bowl until smooth; set aside. Whisk the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a large bowl until combined. Add the eggs, vegetable oil, sour cream and vanilla and beat with a mixer on medium speed until smooth, about 1 minute. Reduce the mixer speed to low; beat in the cocoa mixture in a steady stream until just combined, then finish mixing with a rubber spatula. (The batter will be thin.)
• Divide the batter between the prepared pans and tap the pans against the counter to help the batter settle. Bake until a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out clean, 30 to 40 minutes. Transfer to racks and let cool 10 minutes, then run a knife around the edge of the pans and turn the cakes out onto the racks to cool completely. Remove the parchment. Trim the tops of the cakes with a long serrated knife to make them level, if desired.

INSTANT CHOCOLATE HARD SHELL

Steps:

• Combine chocolate chips and coconut oil in a microwave-safe bowl; heat in microwave in 30-second intervals, mixing well each time, until mixture is smooth, 1 to 2 minutes. It takes about 1 minute of stirring until they fully mix together. Store at room temperature in an air-tight container.

OLIVE OIL CHOCOLATE SHELL

Steps:

• Melt chocolate over a double boiler over low heat, stirring constantly to avoid burning the chocolate, until completely melted. Take chocolate off the heat and whisk in olive oil until completely incorporated.
• Allow chocolate to cool slightly before serving (to avoid melting the ice cream); be sure to keep stirring to avoid hardening. Spoon over ice cream (do not dip anything into the chocolate or it will spoil). Finish with a pinch of flakey salt before the chocolate hardens.
• Store at room temperature in an airtight container; if chocolate solidifies, reheat and whisk before using.

DIY CHOCOLATE SHELL COATING

Steps:

• Melt the chocolate, shortening, vanilla and a pinch of salt in a small saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring constantly with a rubber spatula, until smooth, about 4 minutes. Pour the melted chocolate mixture into a small bowl. Pour over ice cream and let harden, or use as a coating for snacks like fruit or pretzels.

CHOCOLATE SHELL ICE-CREAM TOPPING

Steps:

• Melt the chocolate in a small metal bowl set over a pan of simmering water. Stir in the coconut oil and heat until dissolved, about 1 minute. Keep the liquid lukewarm until ready to pour over the ice cream. Chocolate will harden into a shell within a few seconds when spooned over ice cream.

EASY HOMEMADE PEANUT BUTTER OR CHOCOLATE MAGIC SHELL TOPPING

Steps:

• Place all ingredients into a microwave-safe bowl (I use my 2-cup pyrex measuring cup for this).
• Microwave on high for about 45 seconds; remove and stir until blended and smooth.
• Let sit for about 1 minute before using on ice cream or frozen pies (it's that easy lol!).
• This will harden when combined with frozen ingredients.