Families who enjoy dark chocolate
For a frozen dessert for children who already enjoy dark chocolate, a clear description of the coating is more helpful than the word ‘dark’ alone when choosing the flavour you want.
Who is this choice for?
Hosts who are mindful of allergens
If several children will be sharing the dessert, check the ingredients and allergen information on the pack of each product you choose before planning to serve it.
Parents preparing a frozen dessert
A ready-portioned ice lolly can be served after the activity. If the recipe calls for chocolate to be added to a mixture that will be cooked, choose an ingredient intended for that purpose instead.
What should you look for?
First decide whether you’ll be serving the ice lollies frozen or whether your recipe needs baking chocolate. For a dessert to share, then check the allergens, the number of lollies and the specific information about the chocolate.
| Criteria | What to check | Relevant to |
|---|---|---|
| Dark chocolate flavour | Check which part of the ice lolly any stated cocoa percentage refers to. Auchan’s product listing for Magnum Intense Dark says its dark coating is made with 70% cocoa; it does not describe the whole ice lolly this way. | I’d like a strong dark chocolate flavour, but I want to know what the stated percentage measures before choosing. Around 29% of consumers would prioritise this intensity. |
| Allergens | Read the ingredients and highlighted allergens on the pack you buy; ‘dark chocolate’ does not mean ‘dairy-free’. | If several children are sharing the same dessert, I need to check that each one can eat the product I choose. This would be the priority for around 29% of consumers. |
| Portions and serving | Check the number of ice lollies, their size and the storage instructions so you can keep them frozen until you’re ready to serve. | I want to serve a frozen dessert easily after the activity, without taking the ice lollies out too early. Around 24% of consumers would put portion planning first. |
| Use in the recipe | Decide whether the product will be served frozen or whether the recipe calls for chocolate that can be mixed in and cooked. | My recipe calls for chocolate to be added to a batter, so I need to choose a suitable ingredient rather than a frozen dessert. Around 18% of consumers would prioritise finding the right product for their recipe. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Assuming a ‘dark’ ice lolly contains no milk
The recipes described for Magnum Intense Dark, Carrefour Sensation Double Chocolat and TRIUM include dairy ingredients. The colour of the coating doesn’t tell you what the whole ice lolly is made from.
If a child has an allergy, check the label of the specific product you’ve bought before offering it to them.
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Comparing percentages that measure different things
The 70% cocoa stated for the coating on Magnum Intense Dark, according to its Auchan listing, cannot be compared with the proportions of ice cream and coating described by E.Leclerc for TRIUM.
Check whether the figure refers to the cocoa content of the chocolate or the proportion of one component in the ice lolly.
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Planning to use a frozen ice lolly instead of baking chocolate
An ice lolly is a frozen dessert. Describing it as ice cream with a coating doesn’t mean it will give you the result you want in a baked mixture or ganache.
Decide how the chocolate will be used in the recipe before you buy: serve the ice lolly frozen, or choose chocolate made for the recipe you’re preparing.
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Taking the ice lollies out before preparing the decorations
Delays in serving make it harder to keep them frozen during the activity. Auchan’s listings for Magnum Intense Dark and Carrefour’s for Double Chocolat state that they should be stored at −18 °C.
Prepare the other parts of the dessert before taking the ice lollies out, and follow the storage and refreezing instructions on the pack.
Brands to know for these ice lollies
The differences below relate to the specific products described, not to every product from each brand.
Magnum
According to Auchan’s listing, Intense Dark combines milk chocolate ice cream with a dark coating made with 70% cocoa.
- The cocoa content is clearly stated for the coating.
- The recipe contains milk and soya; the listing also notes that it may contain almonds.
Ferrero
Auchan describes Rondnoir as a cocoa ice lolly with a dark chocolate shell and cocoa pieces, sold in a box of four.
- The cocoa pieces add a different texture from a smooth coating.
- The recipe contains milk and soya; check the pack for other allergens and ‘may contain’ warnings before sharing.
Carrefour Sensation
Carrefour describes Double Chocolat as a box of four ice lollies with chocolate ice cream, chocolate sauce and a dark chocolate coating.
- The pack size and the different chocolate components are clearly specified.
- The recipe contains milk and soya; the listing also mentions possible traces of other allergens.
TRIUM
E.Leclerc describes a box of four TRIUM ice lollies made with dark chocolate ice cream and a dark chocolate coating.
- Both parts of the product are described as dark chocolate.
- The stated ingredients include milk and whey; the proportions of the two parts are not a cocoa percentage.
Joybuy products
Related products will be available soon.
Frequently asked questions
Does ‘dark chocolate’ mean an ice lolly is dairy-free?
No: a dark chocolate coating can cover ice cream that contains milk. The recipes listed for Magnum Intense Dark, Carrefour Sensation Double Chocolat and TRIUM include dairy ingredients; always check the packaging of the specific product you buy.
What should I check on the pack before sharing these ice lollies with children?
Check the ingredients list and highlighted allergens on the physical packaging. The DGCCRF reminds consumers that this information must be provided on prepacked foods; also read any ‘may contain’ warnings for the product you’ve chosen.
How should I store the ice lollies during the activity?
Keep them in the freezer until you’re ready to serve, following the instructions on the pack. The listings for Magnum Intense Dark and Carrefour Sensation Double Chocolat state that they should be stored at −18 °C, so wait until dessert time before decorating with the ice lollies.