Hosts serving dessert at a set time
You’ll need to plan the journey home from the shop, make room in the freezer and take the ice lollies out only when it’s time to serve them.
Who is this guide for?
Organisers who need to consider allergies
You’ll need to check the ingredients and ‘may contain’ information on each box before offering an ice lolly to any guests with allergies.
Hosts looking to tailor portions and flavours
You’re looking for enough sticks for the number of guests, with either one recipe or a choice of coatings to suit different preferences.
What should you check?
First, plan how you’ll store and serve the frozen products. Then choose recipes that suit your guests and make sure you have enough portions.
| Consideration | What to check | Who is this most important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Storage and serving | Plan to transport them in an insulated bag, make room in the freezer and take out the portions just before serving. Follow the storage instructions on the box. | If dessert is served at a set time, I need to be able to keep the ice lollies cold until then. Around 38% of consumers make this a priority. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the ingredients and ‘may contain’ information for each product you buy. Keep the packaging handy during the buffet. | If a guest tells me they have an allergy, I want to check exactly what’s in a recipe before offering them a stick. Around 31% of consumers put checking allergens first. |
| Portions and variety | Check how many sticks are in each box and what flavours are included in an assortment. Don’t assume every recipe will suit everyone. | I prefer to work out how many portions to serve first, then decide whether a choice of coatings would be useful. This is a priority for around 31% of consumers. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Confusing chocolate sweets with chocolate ice lollies
A box of chocolates isn’t a substitute for a frozen dessert, and it doesn’t need to be stored in the same way.
For this buffet, check that the product you choose is an ice lolly from the frozen food aisle.
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Choosing an assortment without checking every recipe
Depending on the product, the sticks may contain milk, almonds or soya, and may carry ‘may contain’ warnings. One assortment can include products with different ingredients.
Read the packaging on the box you buy and keep it available for guests who want to check the ingredients. Have another option ready if a guest’s allergy requires it.
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Leaving the ice lollies out during the buffet
The journey and the wait before dessert make it harder to maintain the cold chain. The DGCCRF recommends keeping transport time to a minimum and preferably using an insulated bag.
Buy frozen products last, put them in the freezer as soon as you get home and take out only the portions you’re ready to serve.
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Choosing based on the number of sticks alone
A box with more pieces won’t necessarily suit your guests’ preferences or meet their allergy requirements.
Work out how many portions you need, then compare the recipes and box sizes before deciding how many to buy.
Mini ice lolly brands to know
Magnum
The range includes chocolate-coated mini sticks. Carrefour, for example, lists a box of 6 Mini Double Chocolat sticks weighing 285 g.
- The mini size makes it easy to count out portions.
- The product information for this box lists milk and possible traces of nuts. Check the box you choose rather than assuming the same applies to the whole range.
Carrefour Extra
Carrefour lists a 237 g box of 6 mini sticks in vanilla, milk chocolate and almond flavours.
- With 6 pieces, it’s easy to see how many portions you’ll have for serving.
- This product contains milk, almonds and soya. Its product information also warns that it may contain traces of other allergens.
Auchan
Auchan lists an assortment of 8 mini ice lollies weighing 258 g, with a choice of chocolate coatings.
- The assortment lets you offer a choice of recipes from one box.
- Ingredients vary between sticks, particularly where almonds are concerned. Check the ingredients on the packaging you buy.
Mucci
ALDI offers a pack of 12 mini sticks under the Mucci brand as part of its frozen dessert range.
- The number of pieces may be useful if you’re planning to serve several portions.
- Check the ingredients, allergens and storage information on the box you choose.
Ice lollies to consider on Joybuy
These boxes include mini sticks and larger ice lollies for serving individual portions. Before working out how many to buy for your buffet, compare the number of pieces, the recipe listed and the information on the packaging.
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Magnum Mini Classic, 6 × 55 ml
A box of six mini sticks to consider if you’d like to serve smaller portions.
Check the allergens on the packaging you buy and keep the ice lollies frozen until serving time.
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Magnum Mini Deluxe Caramel, 6 sticks, 330 g
The six-piece mini box is handy for serving individual portions, if your guests like the caramel recipe.
Check the allergens and storage instructions on the box before serving.
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POPELINO Intense Dark Chocolate, 4 sticks, 312 g
These four dark chocolate sticks are an option if you’d prefer this recipe to an assortment.
The name doesn’t describe them as mini sticks, so check the size and allergens on the box when planning how to serve them.
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Magnum Double Billionaire's Mini, 6 sticks, 282 g
These six mini sticks are a handy way to serve individual portions of this chocolatey recipe.
Check the allergen and storage information on the box you buy before serving.
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Magnum White Chocolate Almond, 4 × 100 ml
These white chocolate and almond sticks are suited to a buffet where you’re planning one 100 ml portion per person, rather than a mini serving.
As these contain almonds, be sure to check for allergies with any guests concerned. Follow the storage instructions on the box, too.
Frequently asked questions
Mini sticks or a larger size for a christening buffet?
Choose according to the portion you plan to serve and the number of guests. Mini sticks make it easy to serve smaller portions, while a 100 ml ice lolly is a different-sized serving. Either way, count how many you’ll need and check you have enough room in the freezer.
Can you put the ice lollies out on the buffet before dessert?
Don’t leave them out on the buffet. The DGCCRF stresses the importance of maintaining the cold chain: transport frozen products in an insulated bag if possible, put them in the freezer as soon as you can and take out portions just before serving, following the instructions on the packaging.
How should you choose if guests tell you they have an allergy?
Check the ingredients and ‘may contain’ information for each product before offering an ice lolly to anyone with an allergy. Some of the recipes featured here contain milk, almonds or soya. Don’t assume you know what’s in a stick based on its coating alone, and keep the boxes handy while serving.
What should you look for on an ice lolly box?
First, check the number of pieces, quantity, ingredients, allergens and storage instructions. For prepacked food sold in France, the DGCCRF states that allergenic ingredients must be highlighted on the label.