Who are these cones for?

Dark chocolate fans who want to know what’s inside

You want the recipe to clearly specify a dark chocolate component, rather than relying on the name printed on the box.

Hosts serving several desserts

After the pancakes, you want enough cones for your guests and a flavour to suit everyone, without buying more portions than you need.

Shoppers keeping an eye on allergens

You need to check the recipe and any warnings about traces before serving your guests. Product pages for several chocolate cones from Auchan and Carrefour highlight milk, wheat, soya or nuts in particular.

What should you check before buying?

For a pancake evening, first check what the ‘dark chocolate’ description refers to. Then choose a pack size to suit your guests and check the allergens on the packaging.

What to check What to look for Who this matters to
Dark chocolate Read the product name and ingredients to tell the difference between dark chocolate ice cream, chocolate mixed into the recipe and chocolate decoration. Check which component any stated percentage refers to. I want to be sure there’s a genuine dark chocolate component, rather than taking the colour of the box as a sign of cocoa content; around 44% of consumers would prioritise this.
Portions and flavours Compare the number of cones and the flavours, then work out how many portions you’ll need after the pancakes. If the pancakes are already the main part of dessert, I’d rather buy just enough cones and take everyone’s tastes into account; around 33% of consumers would put this need first.
Allergens and storage Check the allergens, any ‘may contain’ warnings and the storage instructions on the pack you buy. Before serving a guest with an allergy, I need to know the exact recipe and any traces listed; around 23% of consumers would check this before choosing a flavour.

Common misconceptions to avoid

  • Assuming every mention of dark chocolate means a high cocoa content

    Auchan’s product page says that dark chocolate ice cream makes up 35.4% of one of its cones. Meanwhile, an EXTREME product page published by Auchan states that dark chocolate makes up 2% of the dark chocolate ice cream. Carrefour lists 0.6% dark chocolate among the ingredients of a Carrefour Extra cone. These figures don’t measure the same thing.

    Check exactly which component each percentage refers to. Don’t describe the whole cone as high in cocoa on this basis alone.

  • Guessing the allergens from the flavour or brand

    Depending on the recipe, a chocolate cone may contain milk, wheat, soya or nuts. It may also carry warnings about traces of other allergens.

    Ask your guests which allergens you need to take into account, then read the ingredients list and any warnings about traces on each pack you buy.

  • Counting cones without taking the pancakes into account

    The Auchan, EXTREME and Carrefour Extra products reviewed are sold in packs of six, but their flavours and net weights vary. You could be left with an opened extra box if the pancakes are already enough for some of your guests.

    Estimate how many people will also want a cone, then choose the number of boxes accordingly.

Brands and ranges to know

AUCHAN

Auchan’s product page for a pack of six chocolate cones lists dark chocolate ice cream as one of the product’s components.

  • The product name specifies ‘dark chocolate ice cream (35.4%)’: this figure refers to that component of the cone.
  • It doesn’t tell you the total cocoa content. The product page also mentions milk, wheat, soya, almonds and hazelnuts.

EXTREME

The product page published by Auchan features a pack of six cones combining milk, white and dark chocolate ice creams.

  • All three chocolate components are specified, which makes it easier to choose for guests with different tastes.
  • The product page states that dark chocolate makes up 2% of the dark chocolate ice cream. The cone isn’t made exclusively with this ice cream.

Carrefour Extra

Carrefour describes a pack of six 408 g chocolate cones with wafer cones and chocolate sauce.

  • The number of cones is specified to help you plan how many to serve.
  • The ingredients list states 0.6% dark chocolate. This alone isn’t enough to describe the cone as high in cocoa.

Cornetto

Carrefour’s product page for the Hazelnut & Caramel cone describes a wafer cone, chocolate sauce and dark chocolate chips.

  • The chips provide a clearly identifiable dark chocolate component in this recipe.
  • The main flavour is still hazelnut and caramel: the chips don’t tell you whether the cone has a high cocoa content.

Cones available on Joybuy

This selection features a pack of six chocolate ice cream cones to enjoy after the pancakes. If dark chocolate is important to you, check how it features in the recipe of the pack you choose.

Pack of EXTRÊME chocolate ice cream cones, six cones, 426 g

EXTRÊME Chocolate Ice Cream Cones x6, 426 g

This pack of six cones is a handy addition to your pancakes if several guests would like an ice cream portion.

The product title states that the pack contains six cones and weighs 426 g. If you’re looking for a hint of dark chocolate, check the ice cream description and ingredients on the packaging. Don’t assume the name tells you the total cocoa content.

Before serving, also check the allergens and any warnings about traces on the pack.

View on Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Does the word ‘dark’ guarantee a high cocoa content in a cone?

No. Check exactly what the product name and ingredients refer to. The Auchan and Carrefour product pages reviewed sometimes give the proportion of dark chocolate ice cream, and sometimes list dark chocolate in a component or in the recipe. These figures don’t provide a comparable total cocoa content across cones.

Which allergens should you check before serving the cones?

Read the allergens and any ‘may contain’ warnings on the pack of each product. Depending on the recipe, the cone product pages reviewed list milk, wheat, soya, nuts or traces of other allergens. The DGCCRF reminds shoppers that allergenic ingredients must be highlighted on the label.

How should you store the cones until the evening?

Follow the temperature and storage instructions on the pack you buy. The Auchan and Carrefour product pages reviewed specify storage at −18 °C and say not to refreeze a product once it has thawed. Plan your journey from the shops to the freezer accordingly.

Is the information shown on online grocery listings enough to help you choose?

It can help you compare recipes before you shop, but check the packaging of the product you receive. That’s where you can confirm the product name, ingredients, allergens and storage instructions for the cone you’ll be serving.