Ice cream cone toppings harden due to paraffin wax or coconut oil, which solidify when exposed to cold ice cream. Both can be flavored, but paraffin wax is flavorless and passes through the body, while coconut oil is naturally sweet and high in fat. Homemade recipes usually use coconut oil instead of paraffin wax.
The hard shell topping on an ice cream cone hardens for one of two reasons: paraffin wax or coconut oil. Both of these ingredients become soft or liquidy when hot, but solidify quickly when exposed to cold ice cream. When combined with chocolate or other flavors, they allow the topping to completely cover the scoop of ice cream on top of the cone, adding a tasty and protective outer layer.
Paraffin
The paraffin wax used in some recipes for topping hard shells is a food-grade wax, which means it’s safe to eat. Edible paraffin cannot be absorbed by the body, so it simply passes through. This wax has no flavor and melts at relatively low temperatures – between 116°F (47°C) and 149°F (65°C). It is found in some candies, chocolates and even on the outside of some fruits and vegetables to make them shiny.
Coconut oil
Coconut oil contains high amounts of saturated fat, which is solid at room temperature. It melts at an even lower temperature than paraffin – just 74°F (23.3°C) – making it a very popular choice for padded hard cover sold for home use. This oil freezes and solidifies very quickly when exposed to freezing temperatures, such as ice cream. Coconut oil is naturally sweet and light; Although refined oil loses much of its flavor, unrefined oil has been described to have a rich, nutty taste. Because coconut oil is digested by the body, dressings made with it will contain more fat and calories than those made with wax.
Topping Flavors
While many hard shell toppings are chocolate flavored, this isn’t the only type available. Many different flavors can be mixed with the wax or oil, including Vanilla Cream, Caramel, Cherry, and Orange. Chocolate-based variations are also very popular, with peanut butter, cherry, s’mores, and caramel being common additions.
Fare Topping Hard Shell
Most toppings bought at ice cream shops or in a bottle are made with just a few ingredients, including chocolate or other flavorings, sugar, sunflower or other oil, and paraffin wax or coconut oil. Recipes for homemade hard shell seasoning are usually even simpler and include just the coconut oil and the flavoring; most flavors, like chocolate chips or raspberry syrup, already contain a lot of sugar, so you rarely need more. Homemade recipes usually don’t contain paraffin wax, as food-grade wax can be hard to find and coconut oil is easier to work with. Regular paraffin wax may contain impurities that can be toxic, and wax that is not specifically labeled as safe to eat should not be used.
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