For a large Christmas gathering, start by counting the portions: a pack of 12 or 16 ice lollies may be suitable if everyone is having one. For a buffet, mini versions make it easy to serve smaller portions; a selection is better if you’d like to offer a choice of flavours. In every case, check the allergens for each product and follow its storage instructions.
If you’re planning to serve one portion per guest, multi-packs make it easy to compare the number of lollies with your guest list. E.Leclerc, for example, lists a 16-piece ECO+ box of vanilla and chocolate ice lollies.
Mini ice lollies let you offer small individual portions without having to cut up a dessert. Carrefour, for example, lists a selection of eight mini ice lollies; check the flavours and allergens on the box you choose.
For a few guests, a selection or chocolate-coated ice lollies may suit those who’d like to try different recipes. The Magnum Classic box listed by Carrefour contains four ice lollies, so check how many portions you need before choosing.
For a Christmas dessert or buffet, first work out how many portions you need. Then choose between smaller portions that are easy to hand out and a range of flavours.
| What to consider | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Number of portions | Count the ice lollies in each box and check the net weight. | For a large gathering, I want to plan one portion per guest without buying lots of boxes. Around 50% of consumers would put the number of portions first. |
| Buffet serving | Compare mini and standard sizes, as well as the number of pieces. | When everyone is helping themselves at a buffet, I’d rather offer small individual portions. Ease of serving would be the priority for around 30% of consumers. |
| Flavours and recipes | Read the flavours in the selection and check the allergens listed for each product. | For a small gathering, I’d like to offer several flavours rather than just one. Variety would be the main consideration for around 20% of consumers. |
Two boxes can contain very different numbers of ice lollies and amounts of product. A box of mini ice lollies won’t necessarily serve as many guests as a box of larger ones.
Decide how many portions you need, then check the number of pieces and the net weight of each box.
Some of the recipes listed by Carrefour may contain milk, soya or nuts, including almonds or pecans.
Check the label on each product and keep the packaging handy until you serve, particularly if you’re offering several selections.
ANSES advises that keeping food at a low temperature slows the growth of micro-organisms. An Auchan product listing says that a thawed product must never be refrozen.
Pick up frozen products at the end of your shop, transport them appropriately and follow the storage instructions on each box.
The ECO+ range listed by E.Leclerc includes vanilla and chocolate ice lollies in a 16-piece box weighing 536 g.
Carrefour lists Classic’ ice lollies, mini selections and other chocolate-coated recipes.
Auchan lists a 12-piece vanilla and chocolate selection weighing 450 g, as well as a 12-piece vanilla box weighing 450 g.
The Magnum Classic box listed by Carrefour contains four 100 ml ice lollies; Magnum describes them as vanilla ice cream coated in milk chocolate.
ALDI lists a four-piece box under the MUCCI® brand, featuring ice lollies with a double coating and flavours including chocolate, caramel and raspberry.
This selection includes water ice lollies, sorbet lollies and individual portions of ice cream on sticks. First, choose the number of pieces and type of dessert you’re looking for, then check the label on the exact product for allergens and storage instructions.
Image unavailable
Worth considering if you’d like to offer a choice of flavours in individual portions. The box contains 12 pieces and weighs 1 200 g; check the packaging for allergens and storage instructions.
Image unavailable
The mini size is ideal for a buffet where you want to serve smaller portions. This box contains eight sorbet lollies and weighs 280 g; check the packaging for allergens and storage instructions.
Image unavailable
This box could be a good way to offer two flavours in individual portions. It contains 12 ice lollies and weighs 444 g; check the allergens and storage instructions before serving.
Image unavailable
This product is a good option if you’d like to serve eight individual portions with a coconut flavour. Each bar is listed as 70 ml; check the packaging for allergens and storage instructions.
Image unavailable
The six-piece box gives you six individual portions for a small group. It weighs 270 g in total; check the label for allergens and storage instructions.
Start with the number of portions you’d like to serve, then add up the number of ice lollies listed on the boxes. If you’re serving several desserts at a buffet, check the portion sizes too: eight mini ice lollies and eight standard ones aren’t the same size for serving.
Read the ingredients list and allergen information on each box, as these vary by recipe. Some products listed by Carrefour contain milk, soya, almonds or pecans; don’t assume the same information applies to another product.
Yes, as long as you’ve followed the storage instructions on the box and the products haven’t thawed. ANSES highlights the importance of keeping food at a low temperature; an Auchan product listing says not to refreeze the product after thawing.