Who are these options for?

Fans of intense cocoa

You’re looking for a stated cocoa content for the dark chocolate coating, rather than a general ‘chocolatey’ description. Auchan’s listing for Magnum Intense Dark gives you this information.

Fans of textured coatings

Ferrero Rondnoir’s cocoa pieces or the Brazil nut pieces in Nuii may appeal to you as much as the dark chocolate. These inclusions also affect which ingredients you need to check before buying.

Holidaymakers sharing a box

Choose based on the number of ice lollies and everyone’s tastes, then plan how you’ll get them to the freezer. The DGCCRF stresses the importance of keeping food at a safe temperature.

What should you check before buying?

When choosing a dark chocolate ice lolly, first distinguish the cocoa content of the chocolate from the proportion of dark chocolate in the recipe. Then check the ingredients and pack size, taking into account who’ll be sharing the box and how far you need to travel.

What to consider What to check Who is it for?
Cocoa profile Look for a stated cocoa content for the dark chocolate; don’t confuse it with the proportion of dark chocolate in the recipe. If I’m choosing based on cocoa flavour, I need to know what the stated percentage measures. Around 42% of consumers would prioritise this factor.
Ingredients and allergens Read the ingredients list and any ‘may contain’ statements on the box you’re buying. When I’m sharing ice lollies with people who need to avoid certain ingredients, checking that they’re suitable comes before the flavour. This would be the main concern for around 33% of consumers.
Pack size and transport Compare the number of ice lollies and the net quantity; plan how you’ll keep them cold until you reach the freezer. If I’m serving several people on holiday, I want enough portions and a journey that allows the ice lollies to stay frozen. Around 25% of consumers would make this their priority.

Common pitfalls to avoid

  • Assuming ‘dark’ means a high cocoa content

    According to Auchan and Carrefour’s product listings, these figures don’t all refer to the same thing: the 70% stated for Magnum Intense Dark refers to the cocoa content of its dark chocolate, while other percentages refer to the proportion of dark chocolate in the recipe.

    If cocoa content matters to you, look for a figure that explicitly relates to the chocolate in the coating.

  • Forgetting what’s inside the coating

    Nuii’s ice lolly contains Brazil nuts; the product listings for Ferrero Rondnoir and Carrefour Extra also flag ingredients or traces to take into account.

    Before choosing a box to share, check its ingredients list and allergen information.

  • Planning transport after choosing your ice lollies

    The DGCCRF points out that a rise in temperature can increase food-related risks. A long journey without a way to keep your ice lollies cold is therefore an important factor in your choice.

    Buy frozen products at the end of your shop, carry them in an insulated bag and follow the storage instructions on the packaging as soon as you arrive.

  • Confusing a tub of ice cream with ice lollies

    The Mucci dark chocolate ice cream tub featured by ALDI is a dessert to serve, not an individual ice lolly with a coating and stick.

    Choose a format that suits how you plan to serve the ice cream, especially if you won’t have any crockery with you on your trip.

Brands to consider by recipe

Magnum

Intense Dark combines milk chocolate ice cream with a dark chocolate coating stated to contain 70% cocoa on Auchan’s product listing.

  • The cocoa content of the dark chocolate is clearly stated; the box contains three ice lollies.
  • The recipe contains milk and soya, and may contain almonds.

Ferrero

According to its Auchan listing, Rondnoir combines cocoa ice cream, dark chocolate and cocoa pieces.

  • The recipe contains 32.6% dark chocolate and crunchy inclusions.
  • This figure is not the cocoa content of the chocolate. Also check for ‘may contain’ statements, particularly for nuts and egg.

Nuii

According to Auchan, the Dark Chocolate & Brazil Nut ice lolly combines chocolate ice cream, caramel sauce and a coating with nut pieces.

  • Its product name states that it contains 31% dark chocolate and 4.5% Brazil nut pieces.
  • Check for nuts and other declared allergens before buying a box to share.

Carrefour Extra

According to Carrefour, the Mint Chocolate ice lolly combines mint flavour with dark chocolate and chopped cocoa beans.

  • The recipe contains 29% dark chocolate; the box contains four ice lollies.
  • Mint is a key flavour in this recipe. Check the ingredients and any ‘may contain’ statements if you’re buying for several people.

Mucci

ALDI offers, among other products, a tub of Mucci dark chocolate ice cream, which is different from individual ice lollies.

  • A tub can work well for a dessert served in portions.
  • It isn’t a substitute for a coated ice lolly when individual portions are your priority.

A dark chocolate ice lolly on Joybuy

This option is a good match if you’re looking for a box of four dark chocolate ice lollies. If you’re choosing based on a specific cocoa content, check the packaging before you buy.

Box of four POPELINO Intense Dark chocolate ice lollies

POPELINO Intense Dark chocolate ice lollies, 4 pack, 312 g

Worth considering if you’re looking for dark chocolate ice lollies to share. The box contains four ice lollies, with a net quantity of 312 g.

Check the box for the cocoa content of the dark chocolate, as well as the ingredients and allergen information if these affect your choice.

View on Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Does ‘dark chocolate’ always mean a high cocoa content?

No. The proportion of dark chocolate in a recipe and the cocoa content of that chocolate are two different things. Auchan’s listing for Magnum Intense Dark states that the dark chocolate in its coating contains 70% cocoa. The dark chocolate percentages listed for Ferrero Rondnoir and Nuii, or given by Carrefour for its Mint Chocolate ice lolly, mean something different.

What should you check if you’re buying ice lollies to share?

First check the ingredients and allergen information on the box you choose, then check the number of portions. The recipes mentioned differ in their use of milk, soya and nuts, and in their ‘may contain’ statements.

How should you transport ice lollies to your holiday destination?

Buy them at the end of your shop, keep the journey as short as possible and use an insulated bag before putting them in the freezer promptly. Follow the temperature guidance and other instructions on the box; the DGCCRF stresses the importance of maintaining the cold chain.

Can a tub of dark chocolate ice cream replace ice lollies?

A tub works if you plan to serve the ice cream in portions, but it isn’t the same as an individual coated ice lolly. That’s the difference, for example, between the Mucci tub featured by ALDI and dark chocolate ice lollies.