These dutch cocoa popsicles with vanilla bean magic shell are a gourmet twist on the original, the inside is an impossibly dark creamy fudge, dipped in a layer of vanilla bean flecked white chocolate that crackles when you bite into it.

I’m kicking off the unofficial start of summer with a whole week of new popsicle recipes, tips, and useful links! Homemade popsicles are so incredibly versatile I need an entire week to explore all the reasons why you NEED these in your life this summer. I’m dedicating each day this week to a different kind of popsicle, and today it’s these amazing dutch cocoa popsicles with vanilla bean magic shell, probably my favorite of all. These luscious bars fall on decadent end of the popsicle spectrum, the best end, if you ask me.

My love of this kind of popsicle goes back to the ice cream truck that parked outside my elementary school… if I was lucky enough to have change in my pocket at the end of the day, I got one for the walk home. But even the glorified memory of ice cream truck treats can’t live up to THIS bar.

The fudge bar itself is so good it can stand alone, if you want to skip the coating. It’s got a deep rich chocolate flavor, almost bittersweet, and it’s super creamy. Kind of a fudgesicle on steroids. Chocolate steroids.

But if you want to add a chocolaty coating to a popsicle, this homemade magic shell is the way to go. It’s a simple mixture of chocolate and coconut oil, and when it comes in contact with something cold, it hardens instantly. It makes coating popsicles quick and easy.

I chose to make the mirror opposite of the classic ice cream bar, just for fun. This Dutch Cocoa recipe is extra deep and dark so the vanilla bean coating contrasts beautifully with it.

Coat the whole pop, or just the top half. If you want a thicker coating, double dip. I have a couple of other recipes for REGULAR and NUTELLA versions of Magic Shell, too, if you’re not a white chocolate fan.

TIPS ~
- The easiest and best way to coat a popsicle is with a combination of pure chocolate and coconut oil. The coconut oil insures that the chocolate will harden on contact with the cold popsicle. You can use any kind of chocolate you like — dark, milk, or white.
- There are two kinds of coconut oil: virgin, and refined. If you want a distinct coconut flavor in your coating, go with the virgin oil. If you want to downplay the coconut flavor, use the refined.
- I like to put a baking sheet or plate in the freezer for a short while so I have something cold to set the pops on while I coat them. Be sure to put them right back in the freezer after coating (if you’re not eating right away) because while the outside will appear hard, the inside will start to melt if left at room temperature.

Dutch Cocoa Popsicles with Vanilla Bean Magic Shell
Ingredients
for the Dutch Chocolate Popsicle
- 3 squares, 3 oz unsweetened chocolate, cut in small pieces
- 3 cups whole milk
- 2 Tbsp cornstarch
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 3 Tbsp Dutch cocoa powder
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
for the Vanilla Bean Magic Shell
- 11 oz bag of white chocolate chips
- 3 Tbsp coconut oil, not virgin
- 1 vanilla bean
Instructions
- To make the popsicles: melt the chopped chocolate in a microwave safe dish for 30 seconds, then stir. If it's not completely melted, zap it again in 15 second bursts. Stir until smooth.
- Heat the milk, cornstarch, sugar and cocoa powder in a saucepan. Whisk to combine everything as you heat. When the milk starts to warm, add all the melted chocolate. Keep whisking or stirring until the mixture thickens and just comes up to a bubble. It will take somewhere around 12 minutes. Once it boils, take it off the heat and add the vanilla extract. Set aside to cool slightly.
- Fill your popsicle molds with the fudge mixture and put it in the freezer. Let freeze for 90 minutes, and then insert the sticks into the molds. Continue to freeze until solid, 4-5 more hours.
- To make the Vanilla Bean Magic Shell, melt the white chips and the coconut oil, which will be in a solid form, in a microwave safe bowl. Start with 30 seconds and continue in short 15 second bursts, stirring in between, until it is JUST melted. Stir to completely melt any lumps. Be careful not to overheat white chocolate, it can be finicky. Scrape the seeds from the vanilla bean into the melted chocolate. Stir to disperse them.
- Pour the magic shell into a container such as a wide mouthed mason jar. Store at room temperature until you need it. If it hardens, just give it a few seconds in the microwave and stir.
- To remove the popsicles from the mold, fill your sink with hot water. Immerse the mold up to, but not over, the top edge for 15 seconds. If the pops don't slide out easily, immerse for a few more seconds.
- Either dip the popsicles into the magic shell immediately, or put the pops in plastic baggies back in the freezer. To coat the pops, just dip right into the white chocolate. The coating will harden in seconds. You can set the pops down on waxed paper,. Once the coating is hard you can eat, or put the pops in baggies for the freezer.
Don’t forget to pin these Dutch Cocoa Popsicles with Vanilla Bean Magic Shell!

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wow so clever to make magic she’ll for popsicles
These look amazing! Will try soon. Popsicle heaven!
these look so very yummy!! I wish I had 1 (or 2) right now!!
Can’t wait to try making them!
You are the queen of popsicles Sue! these look and sound amazing, I’m going to have to pick up the molds or order them online to make my own.
Thanks Cheri! The good molds can be a little hard to come by as the season goes on, so grab one quick!
Kids will love this. They weren’t too happy that I didn’t share the poptails from yesterday.
You know those papaya pops would be just as great without the wine…
These popsicles look delicious. I definetly have to purchase popsicle molds, my family would love these.
Another one of your recipes on my list!
That looks absolutely luscious.
Do you think these could be made with coconut milk in place of the dairy milk? I cannot have dairy anymore and I LOVE fudgesicles.
They definitely could, CJ. You would probably want to use the Virgin coconut oil for the Magic Shell, then too, to emphasize the coconut flavor.
I Love this recipe! It looks simply delicious! I cannot wait to give these a try. 🙂 Keep them coming Love your recipes!