A Homemade Kitchen series includes recipes that feature homemade versions of your favorite store-bought meals, snacks, treats, condiments and more. Homemade is better for your budget, body, and taste buds.
Coconut oil. Have you heard about it? If you're a vegan, you definitely have. If you shop at Whole Foods or similar grocery stores, you probably have. Coconut oil seems to be the latest fat in the food world as research is showing it's actually much healthier then once thought (check out this New York Times article if you're curious about the dirty deets). Many actually consider it to be a health food and it's a great alternative to butter and other cooking fats if you suffer from allergies or are striving to be healthier.
But, let's put health aside for a moment. Because coconut oil has another secret. It's the key ingredient in those "magic shell" ice cream toppings that come out a liquid but harden once poured on ice cream (coconut oil is a solid at 76 degrees). And it turns out the topping is ridiculously easy to make at home. Best of all, it actually tastes better than the store-bought topping because there's no extra sugar or artificial flavors or preservatives. And in case you're wondering, it doesn't taste like coconut. It's pretty amazing.
What are you favorite coconut oil recipes?
Chocolate Shell Ice Cream Topping
From Thomas Keller via The New York Times
Makes 3/4 cup
- 7 ounces semi-sweet or bittersweet chocolate, chopped
- 2 tablespoons virgin coconut oil
Hi! I'm Tessa, author behind Handle the Heat. Here you'll find simple & fresh recipes from a college student turned culinary student. Find out more 
