Fans of intense cocoa
You want to know whether the cocoa is in the shell, the ice cream or both, rather than relying on the word ‘dark’ alone. Check which part of the recipe a stated percentage refers to.
Who are these options for?
People serving several guests
You need to plan for enough ice lollies and cater for different tastes. A box of mini portions may offer several types of chocolate, but that doesn’t mean they’re all dark chocolate.
People mindful of allergens
Choose based on the label on the pack you’re going to serve. Ingredients and ‘may contain’ warnings vary between recipes, even when they’re all described as ‘dark’.
Which factors should you compare?
First decide whether your priority is the dark chocolate flavour, sharing portions or a dietary requirement. Then compare the boxes on that specific point: a cocoa percentage and the proportion of coating describe different things.
| Factor | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| How the dark chocolate is used | Check the ice cream flavour and whether the stated cocoa percentage applies to the coating. | If I’m looking for a strong cocoa flavour, I want to tell the difference between dark chocolate ice cream and a vanilla centre under a dark shell. Around 33% of consumers would prioritise this distinction. |
| Portions and variety | Count the portions and flavours. In an assortment, identify which ice lollies are actually dark chocolate. | When serving several guests, I don’t want to assume they all like the same chocolate, so I check which portions everyone can choose from. This would be the top factor for around 27% of consumers. |
| Allergens | Read the allergen information and ‘may contain’ warnings on the exact pack. | If a guest needs to avoid an ingredient, I need to choose a recipe that meets that requirement before thinking about flavour. Around 20% of consumers would put this need first. |
| Local availability | Check the specific product and pack size at the shop or on the online shopping service where you plan to buy it. | If I’m preparing dessert shortly before Christmas, I want to be able to find my chosen box in my local shop rather than relying on a product listing I looked at earlier. This would be a priority for around 20% of consumers. |
Common mix-ups to avoid
-
Assuming all ‘dark’ ice lollies have the same intensity
According to Auchan’s product listing, the 70% cocoa stated for Magnum Intense Dark applies to its coating, while the ice cream inside is milk chocolate. Other listings describe dark chocolate ice cream or a dark chocolate shell without stating a comparable cocoa percentage.
Check the centre and the shell separately, then see which part each percentage refers to.
-
Choosing a box without checking the allergens
A dark chocolate recipe may also contain milk, soya or nuts, or carry ‘may contain’ warnings. The DGCCRF reminds food businesses that allergenic ingredients must be declared and highlighted on food labels.
Check the label on the pack you’ll be serving, especially if a guest has a dietary requirement.
-
Assuming an assortment of mini ice lollies is all ‘dark’
According to its listing, the Carrefour Extra assortment includes mini ice lollies in dark, milk and white chocolate. So the total number of pieces isn’t the same as the number of dark chocolate portions.
Check the mix of flavours before planning to serve a dark chocolate portion to every chocolate fan.
-
Expecting to find the same product when shopping for Christmas
Availability and the product range depend on the retailer and the shop. For example, E.Leclerc’s listing for the Trium dark chocolate ice lolly says that the product isn’t sold on that page.
Before you shop, look for the exact flavour and pack size at your chosen shop or online, then have another suitable recipe in mind for your guests.
Brands and ranges to consider
These products show different ways of making a dark chocolate ice lolly; their features don’t apply to every ice cream from the same brand.
Magnum
Intense Dark is a good choice if you’re looking for a stated cocoa percentage for the shell.
- Auchan’s listing describes three ice lollies with a dark chocolate coating containing 70% cocoa.
- The ice cream inside is milk chocolate. The product contains milk and soya and may contain almonds. The stated percentage doesn’t apply to the whole ice lolly.
Côte d’Or
The vanilla, dark chocolate and almond product combines a vanilla centre with a shell, rather than being made entirely with chocolate ice cream.
- Auchan’s listing specifies four ice lollies, with 36% dark chocolate and 6% roasted almonds in the recipe.
- Check the allergens and ‘may contain’ warnings on the pack. The vanilla, milk chocolate and hazelnut version is a different product.
Ferrero Rondnoir
This product combines cocoa ice cream, a dark chocolate shell and cocoa pieces.
- Auchan’s listing specifies four pieces, 200 g in total and 32.6% dark chocolate in the recipe.
- The 32.6% isn’t the cocoa percentage of the coating. The recipe contains milk and soya; check the ‘may contain’ warnings too.
Trium / Marque Repère
The dark chocolate ice lollies are worth considering if you’re looking for both the ice cream and the coating to be described as dark chocolate.
- E.Leclerc’s listing gives a recipe split of 72.8% dark chocolate ice cream and 27.2% dark chocolate coating.
- These figures refer to the different parts of the product, not their cocoa content. Check availability at your chosen shop.
Carrefour Extra
This assortment of mini ice lollies could suit a group who’d like to choose from several types of chocolate.
- The box described by Carrefour contains eight mini ice lollies, including one dark chocolate variety.
- It also includes milk and white chocolate varieties. The recipe lists milk, soya and almonds, and may contain traces of other allergens.
Mucci / ALDI
The pack sizes in this range may appeal to anyone comparing the number of portions available in store.
- ALDI France lists Mucci boxes including 12 mini ice lollies and four double-coated ice lollies.
- If you’re looking for a specifically dark chocolate dessert, check the flavour and ingredients of the box available at your local shop.
Ice lollies and sorbets to discover on Joybuy
These two boxes suit different tastes for the occasion: dark chocolate ice lollies, or mini mango and passion fruit sorbets paired with dark chocolate. The fruity option isn’t a substitute for chocolate ice cream if a guest is mainly looking for a cocoa flavour.
Image unavailable
POPELINO Intense Dark Chocolate Ice Lollies, x4, 312 g
A pack of four dark chocolate ice lollies for individual portions. If the cocoa percentage matters to your guests, check which part of the product it refers to on the packaging. Check the allergens on your chosen pack too.
Image unavailable
PopFruit Mini Sorbet Sticks mango, passion fruit and dark chocolate, x6, 282 g
Six mini sorbets for a fruity option paired with dark chocolate, rather than chocolate ice cream. Check the ingredients and allergens on the box if you’re serving it to guests with dietary requirements.
Frequently asked questions
How can you tell if an ice lolly is really focused on dark chocolate?
Check the ice cream and coating separately: the word ‘dark’ alone doesn’t tell you which part contains dark chocolate. According to Auchan and E.Leclerc’s listings, Magnum Intense Dark states 70% cocoa for its coating, while Trium describes dark chocolate ice cream and a dark chocolate shell without giving a comparable cocoa percentage.
Which allergens should you check before serving these ice creams at Christmas?
Read the ingredients and ‘may contain’ warnings on every box you buy, even if several are labelled ‘dark chocolate’. Some of the recipes featured here contain milk, soya or nuts. The DGCCRF reminds food businesses that allergenic ingredients must be highlighted on food labels.
Should you take the ice lollies out of the freezer before serving?
Follow the instructions on the box you’ve chosen rather than using the same timing for every product. Auchan’s listing for Magnum Intense Dark recommends taking these ice creams out a few minutes before serving. The listings for Magnum, Côte d’Or and Ferrero products state that they should be stored at −18 °C.
Will a product you spotted earlier be available for Christmas?
Check the flavour, pack size and availability at your shop or online when you’re getting ready to buy: a product listing doesn’t guarantee that the box will be available at Christmas. For example, E.Leclerc says the Trium product described on its listing isn’t sold on that page.