For a Christmas gathering, start by choosing a recipe that suits your guests’ tastes and dietary requirements. Magnum and NUII, for example, offer pistachio ice cream lollies, while supermarket own-brand ranges have other flavours and formats to explore. If you’re serving a group, check how many lollies come in each box before choosing an assortment. For every product, check the allergens and plan how you’ll transport the frozen food.
You’d like to finish the meal with an ice cream lolly whose flavour, coating or inclusions offer something different from a classic vanilla-and-chocolate recipe. The ranges described by Magnum France and the pistachio ice cream lollies available are examples of this kind of choice.
You need to make sure you have enough portions and, perhaps, a choice of flavours. The assortments and formats offered by Carrefour France, ALDI France and Auchan France make the number of lollies in each box an important consideration.
You need to check the ingredients of every flavour you’re considering, especially if milk, nuts, wheat or soya need to be avoided. The ingredients in another recipe from the same brand won’t tell you what’s in the box you’re buying.
For Christmas dessert, start with the flavour you want, then check how many portions you’ll need and whether anyone at the table has dietary requirements.
| Criterion | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Recipe and presentation | Compare the flavour, coating and inclusions of the specific product, rather than relying on its “premium” label. | If I want to finish the meal with a portion that has a distinctive flavour, the recipe matters more to me than the range name; around 40% of consumers would make this their top priority. |
| Portions and variety | Count the lollies in each box and check the flavours in any assortment. | When I’m hosting several guests, I want to serve everyone without giving them all the same flavour; around 30% of consumers would put this need first. |
| Allergens and storage | Read the ingredients and “may contain” statements on each box, and plan how you’ll transport the frozen food. | If a guest needs to avoid an ingredient, or the journey home from the shops is long, these considerations determine my choice first; they would be the priority for around 30% of consumers. |
Pistachio and chocolate recipes can contain several allergens. The DGCCRF reminds shoppers that allergens must be clearly highlighted in the ingredients list on prepacked foods.
Ask about dietary requirements before you shop, then read the label and “may contain” statements for every flavour you choose.
Standard boxes, mini lollies and assortments don’t necessarily contain the same number of pieces. A format you like may not be enough for everyone at the table.
Decide how many portions you need, then check the number of lollies and the net weight of the boxes you’re considering.
Travel and time spent out of the freezer make it harder to maintain the cold chain, especially if you’re making several stops.
ANSES recommends buying frozen food last and using an insulated bag to transport it. Put the lollies back in the freezer as soon as you get home.
A flavour you spot before Christmas may not be available at your local shop when you go shopping. Lidl France notes, for example, that its catalogue offers change every week.
As the gathering gets closer, check what’s available at your chosen shop or collection service, and have another recipe in mind.
Individual ice cream lollies with a chocolate coating, including pistachio recipes. Magnum France also describes its Signature collection as inspired by haute couture.
An option for guests looking for a combination of flavours and inclusions, such as Anatolian pistachio, cream and white chocolate.
A supermarket own-brand range to explore if you’d like to serve a selection of ice cream lolly flavours for dessert.
A supermarket own-brand range to consider when adding to a dessert for a group.
A range to explore if you’d like to add mini lollies or other flavours to your selection.
These Joybuy products offer a range of flavours for individual Christmas portions, including pistachio, caramel, biscuit, hazelnut and strawberry. Choose a recipe and format to suit your guests, then check the label on the product you buy.
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Worth considering if you’d like to serve an individual pistachio portion. Check the allergens on the box before offering it to your guests.
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A caramel recipe to consider if you’d like to add variety to your dessert. If you’re planning to serve one lolly per person, check how many come in the box.
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For an individual dessert combining white chocolate and biscuit, work out how many boxes you’ll need if you’re hosting more than three guests. Check the allergen information for this recipe.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for a recipe that combines chocolate and hazelnuts. As it contains hazelnuts, be sure to check your guests’ dietary requirements.
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A strawberry option to add variety alongside caramel or nut recipes. Check the ingredients list and allergen statements on the box you choose.
Read the ingredients list and any “may contain” statements for the exact product. The DGCCRF states that allergens must be clearly highlighted in the ingredients list on prepacked foods. If you’re putting together an assortment, check each flavour separately.
Don’t choose a pistachio recipe without checking its ingredients against their dietary requirements. The Magnum and NUII pistachio products described by Carrefour France and Auchan France contain milk and pistachio; the packaging may also list other allergens.
Buy them last and carry them in an insulated bag, as ANSES advises for frozen food. Put them in the freezer as soon as possible and follow the storage instructions on the packaging.
Don’t plan your dessert around a product without checking availability closer to the time: assortments can vary by season and shop. Check what’s available at your chosen shop or collection service, and have another flavour in mind that suits your guests.