Anyone planning a festive dessert
You want to make sure you have enough ice lollies for your guests, possibly for several courses, while leaving enough room in the freezer. Carrefour and E.Leclerc, for example, offer boxes of 12 and 16.
Who are these formats for?
Anyone looking for a range of portion sizes
You’d rather give everyone a choice of flavours or serve smaller portions. Assortments and mini ice lollies from Auchan and Aldi let you compare these two options.
Households mindful of allergens and transport
You may need to check the ingredients and any traces listed on the pack, or keep the ice creams at the required temperature until they’re served. These checks are especially important if you’re planning to pack them in a lunch box.
What should you look for?
Start by working out how many portions you need, then decide between a selection of flavours and lollies made with a single recipe. Before choosing a format, check that the labelling and storage requirements suit your needs.
| What to consider | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Number of portions | Count the lollies in each box, the number of courses planned and the space available in your freezer. | If I’m serving several guests at Christmas, I want a box that suits the meal without leaving lots of leftovers. Around 42% of shoppers put the number of portions at the heart of their decision. |
| Flavours and portion size | Check whether it’s an assortment or a single flavour, and see how many pieces are in each pack. | For a dessert where everyone has different tastes, I’d rather offer a choice of recipes or smaller portions. Variety or a mini format is the main priority for around 33% of shoppers. |
| Allergens and storage | Read the label and storage instructions on the pack you choose, and plan how to keep it cold during transport. | If I need to consider allergens or take the ice lollies with me, these requirements determine which format I can use. They come first for around 25% of shoppers. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Choosing based only on the number of lollies
Two boxes with different numbers of pieces won’t necessarily suit the same needs. Net weight, portion size and the number of courses planned all matter too.
Compare the number of pieces and the weight shown on the packaging, then choose a format that will fit in your freezer until it’s time to serve.
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Assuming an assortment is suitable for everyone with allergies
Ingredients and possible traces vary from one recipe to another. Carrefour, for example, lists several possible traces for its Classic’ chocolate and vanilla lollies. The flavour name alone doesn’t tell you what’s in the product.
Check the ingredients and allergens on the exact pack before serving an assortment.
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Packing a lunch box without keeping the contents cold
An ordinary lunch box can’t guarantee the right conditions for frozen products. The DGCCRF stresses the importance of maintaining the cold chain.
Check the storage temperature on the pack, and only take portions with you if you can keep them at that temperature until they’re eaten.
Brands to consider
These brands show a range of formats to compare for a dessert to share. Their inclusion here doesn’t guarantee the same ingredients in another product or that they’re available on Joybuy.
Magnum
Lollies and mini assortments to consider if you want to choose a particular recipe or offer a range of flavours.
- Auchan offers an assortment of 10 mini lollies; its Magnum Almond listing describes a box of 8.
- Check the allergens in your chosen recipe. You can’t assume an assortment has the same ingredients as another Magnum product.
Carrefour Classic’
A box of 12 chocolate and chocolate-coated vanilla lollies to compare with the number of guests and the space you have available.
- The number of pieces is shown, making it easier to plan how many portions to serve.
- Carrefour’s listing mentions possible traces of cereals containing gluten, peanuts, nuts, soya and eggs. Check the label on the pack you buy.
Eco+
A format to consider if you’re expecting several guests or planning more than one course.
- E.Leclerc offers a box of 16 Eco+ vanilla and chocolate lollies, with a stated weight of 536 g.
- Check the specific product for ingredients and allergens rather than relying on the range name alone.
Mucci
A brand to consider if you’re looking for mini lollies for individual portions.
- Aldi offers a Mucci pack of 12 mini lollies.
- Check the pack for the flavours, ingredients and allergens in the product you choose.
Ice lollies and individual ice creams on Joybuy
This selection includes boxes of 6 to 12, with both single-flavour recipes and assortments. For a Christmas dessert, first decide how many portions you need and what type of frozen treat you’d like: frozen ice lollies, water ices and frozen bars aren’t interchangeable.
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CAPRI-SUN orange and cherry water ice lollies x12, 444 g
Worth considering if you want to serve 12 portions and offer two flavours. The box lists orange and cherry. Check the allergens and storage instructions on the packaging before planning to transport them.
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Maison de la Glace Water Ice Pops, 5 flavours, 12 pieces
Consider this if you’re serving several people and want to give them a choice of flavours. Before comparing the quantity with another box or serving it to someone with an allergy, check the weight and labelling on the pack you receive.
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ABC JELLY Fruity Jelly Bar Assorted, frozen bars
Worth considering if you’re looking for an assortment rather than a single flavour for individual portions. Check the weight, number of pieces and freezing instructions on the pack before adding it to your dessert spread.
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Magnum Mini Classic, Almond and White Chocolate x6, 254 g
A good option for a small group looking for mini lollies in a few different recipes. The box contains six pieces; check the allergens in each flavour. Joybuy’s listing states that the product should be stored at −18 °C or below.
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Binggrae Melona melon, 8 × 70 ml
Worth considering if eight portions of the same flavour suit your meal. The box lists melon ice lollies, each 70 ml. Check the label for ingredients, allergens and storage instructions.
Frequently asked questions
Can you put ice lollies in a lunch box for school or work?
An ordinary lunch box won’t keep frozen ice lollies at the right temperature. The DGCCRF recommends maintaining the cold chain: check the temperature on the packaging and only take them with you if you can keep them at that temperature until they’re eaten.
Is a chocolate and vanilla assortment suitable for people with nut allergies?
You can’t tell from the flavours listed. Carrefour Classic’ chocolate and chocolate-coated vanilla, for example, lists possible traces of nuts. Check the label on the exact box before serving it.
Can you refreeze ice lollies that have thawed?
Follow the instructions for the product you’ve bought: Auchan’s listing for Magnum Almond says not to refreeze a thawed product. The DGCCRF warns that a rise in temperature can increase the risks associated with breaking the cold chain.
Should you choose 8, 12 or 16 ice lollies for Christmas?
Choose based on the number of portions and courses you’re planning, then check you have enough freezer space. The 8-piece Magnum Almond pack offered by Auchan, the 12-piece Carrefour Classic’ pack and the 16-piece Eco+ pack offered by E.Leclerc all provide different quantities. No single size will suit every meal.