Anyone serving a group
For a Christmas buffet, the number of lollies makes it easier to plan how many to serve. Carrefour offers a box of 8 mini lollies, while Auchan and ALDI each offer a 12-piece option.
Who are these pack sizes for?
Anyone looking for a choice of flavours
If your guests don’t all want the same recipe, an assorted box can save you from buying several packs. Magnum France, for example, offers a box featuring Classic, Almond and White Chocolate recipes.
Anyone who needs to check allergens
If the ingredients matter to one of your guests, check the label on the box you buy. The Carrefour and Auchan products described here list ingredients such as milk, soya or nuts, depending on the product.
What should you look for before buying?
Start by working out how many portions you need, then compare the recipes and the label on each box. Also make sure you have enough freezer space until it’s time to serve.
| What to consider | What to check | Who is this for? |
|---|---|---|
| Number of portions | Count the individual lollies rather than relying on the box weight alone; buy more than one box if needed. | I want to be able to offer an ice lolly to every guest who would like one, without running short when it’s time to serve. Around 33% of consumers prioritise the number of portions. |
| Choice of recipes | Check the flavours listed and how many lollies there are of each in an assorted box. | If everyone around the table likes different flavours, I’d rather offer a choice than just one recipe. Around 25% of consumers put variety ahead of other factors. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the ingredients list and any warnings about traces on the exact packaging, including for each recipe in an assorted box. | Before serving someone with an allergy, I need to know which recipes are suitable for them. Checking the ingredients is the main concern for around 25% of consumers. |
| Storage | Check the instructions on the box and make sure you have enough freezer space until mealtime. | I’m preparing dessert in advance and need to be able to store the boxes as directed until it’s time to serve. Around 17% of consumers put this constraint first. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Assuming a large pack will suit every guest
The box of 12 vanilla ice lollies featured by Auchan contains milk, hazelnuts and soya, and may contain traces of other nuts. So the number of lollies alone isn’t enough to tell you whether this recipe is suitable for every guest.
Check the label on the product you choose, and plan a separate alternative if a guest can’t eat this recipe.
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Assuming “mini” means nut-free
The Carrefour Extra mini ice lolly assortment lists almonds and may contain traces of eggs and other nuts. The size of the lollies tells you nothing about their ingredients.
Read the ingredients and any warnings about traces on the exact product before serving it.
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Planning dessert around a product without checking it’s available
Product availability in store or for delivery can vary. Don’t rely on one particular assorted box as the only way to provide the number of portions you need.
Check availability at your store or for your delivery slot before finalising your dessert plans.
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Letting ice lollies defrost before putting them back in the freezer
For its vanilla ice lollies, Auchan advises against refreezing a product once it has defrosted.
Follow the instructions on the box you buy, and only take out as many lollies as you need to serve.
Brands to consider
Magnum
Magnum France offers a box of 6 mini ice lollies, each 55 ml, featuring Classic, Almond and White Chocolate recipes.
- Three recipes in one box, ideal for a small gathering or a buffet with other desserts on offer.
- Six lollies won’t go far for a larger group; check the ingredients of each recipe, especially the almond one.
AUCHAN
Auchan offers a box of 12 vanilla ice lollies, with a total weight of 450 g.
- The number of lollies is clearly stated, making it easier to work out how many portions to serve.
- This product contains milk, hazelnuts and soya, and may contain traces of other nuts.
CARREFOUR EXTRA
Carrefour offers an assortment of 8 mini ice lollies, each weighing 32 g, with several chocolate coatings.
- The box combines several recipes, and the number of lollies is clearly stated.
- The product listing mentions milk, soya and almonds, and possible traces of eggs and other nuts.
MUCCI
ALDI offers a 429 g box of 12 mini ice lollies under the MUCCI brand, with milk, white, almond and classic recipes.
- The box contains 12 lollies in a choice of recipes, making it a handy dessert to share.
- Check the label on the box you buy for the ingredients and allergens in each recipe.
Products for a dessert to share
These Joybuy boxes offer individual ice lollies in a range of pack sizes. Water ice lollies and ice cream lollies are different recipes, so choose the type you’d like for dessert and check the label on the exact product.
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Maison de la Glace water ice lollies, 5 flavours, 12 pieces, 1 200 g
This box of 12 is a good option for a group looking for water ice lollies in a choice of flavours.
If allergens are a concern for any of your guests, check the information on the packaging before buying.
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CAPRI-SUN Orange & Cherry ice lollies, 12 pieces, 444 g
The 12 individual lollies make it easy to plan portions for serving. The product combines orange and cherry flavours, but doesn’t state that each lolly has a different flavour.
If any of your guests have an allergy, check the warnings about traces on the exact packaging.
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Binggrae Melona Melon, 8 ice lollies of 70 ml
The 8 lollies are a good fit if that’s enough for your group and you’re looking for a single flavour: melon.
If children will be eating them, check the label for E102 and any associated warnings.
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MAGNUM Vanilla Almond, 8 ice cream lollies, 600 g
This box of 8 is a good choice if your group likes the vanilla and almond recipe; it isn’t an assortment of flavours.
The recipe contains almonds, so check the label before serving it to anyone with a nut allergy.
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Magnum White Chocolate Almond, 4 ice cream lollies of 100 ml
With 4 lollies, this box suits a small gathering. You may need extra if more of your guests would like an ice cream.
The almond recipe means you should check the ingredients and any warnings about traces on the packaging.
Frequently asked questions
How many ice lollies should I plan for a Christmas dessert to share?
Plan for at least one lolly for everyone who would like one, then compare that number with what’s in each box. Magnum France offers an assortment of 6 mini lollies, Carrefour a box of 8, and Auchan and ALDI 12-piece options. You may need several boxes for a larger group.
Is an assorted box always suitable for someone with an allergy?
No. Having several recipes in one box doesn’t guarantee that any of them will be suitable for someone with an allergy. Carrefour Extra’s assortment, for example, lists milk, soya and almonds. Check the ingredients and possible traces on the packaging of the box you buy.
How should I store ice lollies until mealtime?
Follow the instructions for the product you buy. For its box of 12 vanilla ice lollies, Auchan recommends storing them in the freezer at −18 °C until the date shown on the packaging, and says not to refreeze a product once it has defrosted.