Who is this guide for?

Fans of intense dark chocolate

If you want cocoa to take centre stage in your dessert, the word ‘dark’ alone won’t help you choose between boxes. Auchan’s Magnum Intense Dark listing gives you a precise guide: its coating is made with 70% cocoa.

People who check for allergens

When you’re sharing dessert, the ingredients in each recipe matter just as much as the flavour. Auchan’s listings for the dark chocolate ice lollies featured here mention ingredients such as milk, soya or nuts, depending on the product. Check the label on the pack you choose.

Anyone planning a dessert to share

Checking the number of ice lollies helps you plan portions before your Easter shop. The Magnum, NUII and Ferrero products featured here by Auchan come in boxes of three or four, with different recipes to compare for your guests.

What should you look for before buying?

For an Easter dessert, start with the flavour you’re after, then check that the recipe suits your guests and the box contains enough portions.

What to considerWhat to checkWho it matters to
Cocoa intensity Look for a stated percentage, then check whether it applies to the coating, the ice cream or the whole product. If I want a dessert where dark chocolate takes centre stage, I look for something more specific than ‘dark’. Around 42% of consumers put this intensity at the top of their list of criteria.
Ingredients and allergens Read the ingredients and allergen information on the packaging of the product you choose. If a guest needs to avoid an ingredient, I check the exact recipe before planning dessert. For around 33% of consumers, ingredient suitability comes before other criteria.
Portions and storage Compare the number of ice lollies and the net weight. Plan to transport frozen products at the end of your shop. To serve the group I have in mind, I want enough portions and a way to keep them cold until they go in the freezer. Sharing and transport are the main concern for around 25% of consumers.

Mistakes to avoid

  • Assuming ‘dark chocolate’ means the whole ice lolly has a high cocoa content

    Auchan’s Magnum Intense Dark listing says the coating is made with 70% cocoa. This figure doesn’t describe the ice cream beneath the shell.

    Read the wording alongside each percentage before comparing two recipes. Figures referring to different parts of a product aren’t measuring the same thing.

  • Choosing a nut-based recipe without checking the label

    Brazil nuts are part of the NUII dark chocolate recipe featured by Auchan. Depending on the ice lolly, other ingredients or allergen information may also be important for your guests.

    If you or a guest has an allergy or needs to avoid an ingredient, check the ingredients and allergen information on the exact pack rather than relying on the flavour name.

  • Comparing boxes without checking the portions

    Pack sizes vary: Auchan’s listings show three ice lollies for Magnum Intense Dark and four for the Ferrero Rondnoir and NUII products mentioned here. So one box won’t always provide the same number of desserts.

    First work out how many portions you need, then compare the net weight and nutritional information per 100 g if these are part of your decision.

  • Picking up ice lollies at the start of your shop

    Ice lollies need to stay frozen while you’re travelling home. Anses recommends buying frozen products at the end of your shop to limit breaks in the cold chain.

    Pick up your ice lollies last, carry them in an insulated bag and put them in the freezer as soon as you get home. Follow the storage instructions on the packaging.

Brands and retailers to consider

Magnum

The Intense Dark product featured by Auchan combines chocolate ice cream with a dark chocolate coating.

  • The coating is stated to contain 70% cocoa, and the box contains three ice lollies.
  • The percentage doesn’t apply to the whole ice lolly. The recipe contains milk and soya, and may contain almonds.

Carrefour

Carrefour’s online range includes Carrefour Sensation ‘milk and dark chocolate’ ice lollies.

  • A range of recipes and pack sizes gives you options when looking for a box to suit your planned dessert.
  • If you’re looking for a dark chocolate coating with a specific cocoa content, check the ingredients on the pack you choose.

Auchan

Auchan’s listings feature three different dark chocolate ice lolly recipes: Magnum Intense Dark, NUII with Brazil nuts and Ferrero Rondnoir.

  • Their ingredients and pack sizes let you compare desserts with three or four portions.
  • The dark chocolate, inclusions and allergens vary by product. Choose based on the listing and the packaging of the product you select.

Aldi

Aldi’s frozen dessert range includes Mucci dark chocolate ice cream in a tub, as well as Mucci ice lollies with a double coating.

  • The range offers different formats to consider for a frozen dessert.
  • A tub of ice cream isn’t an ice lolly. For ice lollies, check the pack to see what type of chocolate is used and whether a cocoa percentage is stated.

Lidl

Lidl has a frozen food category that includes ice cream.

  • You can check the range while planning your Easter shop.
  • If you’re choosing a ‘dark’ ice lolly, check the product, its ingredients and any stated cocoa content in store.

Leclerc

E.Leclerc is one of the retailers to consider for grocery shopping online or in store.

  • You can include this retailer in your search for Easter desserts.
  • Before choosing a dark chocolate ice lolly, check the specific product on offer and the information on its packaging.

Ice lollies available on Joybuy

These two formats suit different Easter dessert cravings: a dark chocolate ice lolly and mini mango and passion fruit sorbets dipped in dark chocolate. If cocoa intensity is your deciding factor, check the packaging of the product you choose.

POPELINO Intense Dark, box of four ice lollies

POPELINO Intense Dark, 4 ice lollies, 312 g

Worth considering if you’d like to serve dark chocolate ice lollies and need four portions. The listed box contains 4 ice lollies and weighs 312 g.

If you’re looking for a high cocoa content, check what the ‘75%’ associated with the dark chocolate refers to on the packaging. Also check the allergen information, particularly for milk and soya, as well as the storage instructions.

View on Joybuy
PopFruit Mini Sorbet Sticks with mango, passion fruit and dark chocolate

PopFruit Mini Sorbet Sticks with mango, passion fruit and dark chocolate, x6, 282 g

Consider these if you’d prefer a fruity dessert in smaller portions rather than an ice lolly that’s mainly chocolate. The listed pack contains 6 mini ice lollies and weighs 282 g.

If the cocoa content affects your choice, check the dark chocolate percentage on the packaging, along with the allergen information and storage instructions. The product listing says this product is not suitable for children under 36 months.

View on Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Does the word ‘dark’ guarantee a high-cocoa ice lolly?

No. Check the stated cocoa content and which part of the recipe it refers to. On Auchan’s Magnum Intense Dark listing, the 70% cocoa refers to the dark chocolate coating, not the whole ice lolly.

What should I compare on the labels of two boxes?

Compare the ingredients, allergens, number of ice lollies and net weight, then compare the nutritional information on the same basis. The DGCCRF states that nutritional information is given per 100 g or 100 ml, so use the same unit when comparing two products.

How should I transport ice lollies after my Easter shop?

Pick them up at the end of your shop and minimise the time they spend out of the freezer. Anses recommends maintaining the cold chain. Use an insulated bag for the journey and follow the storage instructions on the pack.

Is a dark chocolate ice lolly with Brazil nuts suitable for everyone?

No, particularly if someone needs to avoid nuts: Brazil nuts are part of the NUII recipe featured by Auchan. Before planning this dessert, also check the other ingredients and allergen information on the exact packaging.