For a bulk purchase focused on cocoa, look for a stated percentage and check which part of the lolly it applies to: Auchan’s listing for Magnum Intense Dark states that its coating contains 70% cocoa, not that the whole ice cream does. Before buying several boxes, compare the number of lollies and the net weight, then check the allergens and how much freezer space you have.
Who is this a good choice for?
Fans of rich cocoa flavours
If your group is looking for a stated cocoa percentage rather than just the words “dark chocolate”, check the figure and which part of the product it refers to. Auchan’s listing for Magnum Intense Dark states that its coating contains 70% cocoa.
Organisers catering for different tastes
If your guests don’t all want the same recipe, Auchan and Carrefour listings also describe lollies combining dark chocolate with cocoa pieces, caramel, Brazil nuts or milk chocolate. These variations don’t necessarily state the cocoa content of the chocolate used.
Shoppers mindful of allergens
When buying for a group, check every variety you plan to serve: products described by Auchan and Carrefour have different ingredients and “may contain” warnings, particularly for milk, soya, peanuts and tree nuts.
What should you check before buying in bulk?
First, decide which recipes and allergens are suitable for your group. Then work out how many lollies you need and how much freezer space you’ll need to store them.
| What to check |
Things to look for |
Who it matters to |
| Cocoa content |
Look for a cocoa percentage and check which part of the lolly it applies to. The proportion of dark chocolate in the recipe doesn’t tell you the cocoa content of that chocolate. |
If I’m mainly looking for a strong cocoa flavour, I want to distinguish a specific figure from the simple claim “dark chocolate”; around 36% of consumers put this information at the top of their list. |
| Allergens |
Read the ingredients and “may contain” warnings on every pack you buy; check each variety separately. |
If I’m serving a group that includes people with dietary restrictions, I need to check which boxes are suitable for them. This is the top priority for around 29% of consumers. |
| Portions and storage |
Count the lollies in each box, compare net weights in grams and check the stated storage temperature. |
When I’m planning to buy several boxes, I need enough portions and freezer space, without buying more than I can store; around 21% of consumers prioritise this. |
| Type of recipe |
Choose between dark chocolate, cocoa pieces, caramel, tree nuts or a combination of dark and milk chocolate, depending on your group’s preferences. |
If my guests prefer combinations of ingredients to a recipe centred on dark chocolate, I look first at what each lolly contains. Recipe variety is a priority for around 14% of consumers. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Assuming “dark” means a high cocoa content
A recipe can contain dark chocolate without stating its cocoa content. The proportion of chocolate in the lolly doesn’t answer the same question as the cocoa percentage in the coating, either.
If this figure will determine your choice, check that it’s stated and identify exactly which ingredient or part of the product it refers to.
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Buying several boxes before checking the allergens
The recipes described by Auchan and Carrefour don’t have the same ingredients or “may contain” warnings. A variety chosen for the whole group may therefore not be suitable for some guests.
Ask about dietary restrictions before choosing the recipes, then check the label on each variety and the boxes you receive.
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Comparing packs by volume alone
France’s Directorate General for Competition Policy, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control points out that air incorporated into ice cream can make volume a poor measure of weight. The number of lollies also varies from box to box.
Work out how many lollies you need, then compare the net weight and, if useful, the weight per lolly.
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Buying more boxes than your freezer can hold
When buying in bulk, you’ll need to keep the products at the stated temperature until they’re served. The listings for Magnum Intense Dark, Nuii and Carrefour Sensation state that they should be stored at −18 °C.
Check your freezer capacity before ordering and keep the products out of the cold for as little time as possible during transport and putting them away. Follow the pack instructions if they defrost.
Brands and ranges to know
Magnum
Magnum Intense Dark is a good choice if you’re looking for a stated cocoa content for the coating. Auchan’s listing describes a box of 3 lollies weighing 222 g.
- The coating is described as dark chocolate containing 70% cocoa.
- This figure doesn’t apply to the whole ice cream. The recipe contains milk and soya and may contain almonds.
Ferrero Rondnoir
Auchan’s listing describes cocoa ice cream with dark chocolate and cocoa pieces, in a box of 4 lollies weighing 200 g.
- The listing states that dark chocolate makes up 32.6% of the recipe.
- This isn’t the cocoa content of the chocolate. Also check the allergens and “may contain” warnings on the packaging.
Nuii
According to Auchan’s listing, the dark chocolate and Brazil nut variety combines chocolate ice cream, caramel sauce and Brazil nut pieces.
- This recipe is a good choice if you’re looking for caramel and inclusions rather than a lolly focused solely on dark chocolate.
- It contains tree nuts; the listing doesn’t state the cocoa content of the chocolate coating.
Carrefour Sensation
According to Carrefour’s listing, the Milk and Dark Chocolate variety combines both types of chocolate in a box of 4 lollies.
- The ingredients include 9.9% dark chocolate in the recipe.
- This isn’t a cocoa percentage. The recipe contains peanuts, milk and soya.
Ice lollies available on Joybuy
These two multipacks are a handy way to plan portions with dark chocolate, but they suit different tastes: a chocolate ice cream for POPELINO and a mango and passion fruit sorbet coated in chocolate for PopFruit. If a stated cocoa percentage is essential, check the label before choosing.
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POPELINO Intense Dark dark chocolate ice lollies x4, 312 g
Worth considering if your group would like chocolate ice cream with a dark chocolate coating.
The box contains 4 lollies weighing 78 g each and the stated storage temperature is −18 °C. The listing mentions milk and soya; check the batch label for any other allergens relevant to your guests.
The “75%” claim in the coating description doesn’t, on its own, mean that the coating contains 75% cocoa.
View on Joybuy
Image unavailable
PopFruit Mini Sorbet Sticks mango and passion fruit with dark chocolate x6, 282 g
Worth considering for smaller portions that combine mango and passion fruit sorbet with a dark chocolate coating, rather than a fully chocolate ice cream.
The box contains 6 mini lollies weighing 47 g each; the stated storage temperature is −18 °C. Dark chocolate makes up 19% of the product; this isn’t its cocoa content.
The listing mentions soya and possible traces of other allergens; if you’re buying for a group, check the labels on the boxes you receive.
View on Joybuy
Frequently asked questions
Does “dark chocolate” guarantee a high cocoa content?
No. On its own, this claim doesn’t tell you the cocoa percentage. Auchan’s listing for Magnum Intense Dark states that its coating contains 70% cocoa; for any other recipe, check whether a figure is given and which ingredient it refers to.
Which allergens should you check before ordering several boxes?
Check the ingredients and “may contain” warnings for each variety, then check the packaging you receive. Recipes described by Auchan and Carrefour include milk, soya, peanuts or Brazil nuts, depending on the product; their allergen profiles aren’t interchangeable.
Should you compare litres or grams when buying in bulk?
Start with the number of lollies, then compare the net weight in grams. France’s Directorate General for Competition Policy, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control explains that air incorporated into ice cream can affect its weight at the same volume.
How should you store the lollies until they’re served?
Follow the storage temperature on each pack and check that your freezer can hold all the boxes. The listings for Magnum Intense Dark, Nuii and Carrefour Sensation state −18 °C; also follow the product-specific instructions if a box has defrosted.