Fans of a strong cocoa flavour
If dark chocolate is your top priority, check which part of the ice lolly contains chocolate. According to Auchan, Magnum Intense Dark has a dark coating made with 70% cocoa, but the ice cream inside is milk chocolate.
Who are these ice lollies for?
Hosts planning individual portions
If you’re serving guests during the match, the number of ice lollies matters just as much as the box’s weight. The Auchan and E.Leclerc listings featured here offer packs of three or four.
Anyone keeping an eye on ingredients
The recipes mentioned contain different ingredients and allergen warnings. If a guest avoids milk, soya or nuts, check the label on the box you’re planning to serve.
What should you check before buying?
When choosing ice lollies to serve during a match, start with the recipe you want, then check the portions and ingredients before planning how to store them.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Dark chocolate profile | Check what each percentage refers to: the cocoa in the chocolate, the proportion of the coating or the proportion of the ice cream. Also look for caramel, mint or inclusions. | If I’m mainly looking for cocoa, I want to know whether the dark chocolate is in the coating, the ice cream or both. This would be the top priority for around 42% of consumers. |
| Number of portions | Count the ice lollies in the box and check the net weight; these two details answer different questions. | When several guests are each expecting a dessert, I want to be able to hand out an ice lolly to everyone without running short. Around 33% of consumers would put this need first. |
| Ingredients and storage | Check the allergens and any possible traces on the packaging, then follow its storage instructions. | If an ingredient is a problem for a guest, I need to check the exact box before serving it and keep the ice lollies in the stated conditions. This would be the main concern for around 25% of consumers. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Comparing all chocolate percentages as if they measured the same thing
According to their respective product listings, the 70% for Magnum Intense Dark refers to the cocoa in its coating, while the 27.2% given for TRIUM refers to the proportion of its recipe made up by the dark coating. These figures can’t be used to rank the ice lollies by intensity.
Read the description alongside each figure, and also check the ice cream ingredients and any extras.
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Confusing pack weight with the number of desserts
A heavier box doesn’t necessarily contain more ice lollies: the pack sizes shown contain three or four, depending on the product.
Work out how many portions you need before deciding how many boxes to buy.
If one box isn’t enough for everyone, you’ll need another dessert or an extra box.
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Assuming all chocolate ice creams contain the same allergens
The ingredients vary: Auchan’s NUII listing mentions Brazil nuts, while other products list milk, soya or possible traces of allergens.
If someone has an allergy or avoids certain foods, check the ingredients and trace warnings on the packaging you buy, even if you know the brand.
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Letting the ice lollies defrost before the match
The listings checked for several products say to store them at −18 °C; Carrefour specifies that a defrosted product must not be refrozen.
Pick up the ice lollies towards the end of your shop, keep them protected on the way home if needed, and put them back in the freezer as soon as possible.
Brands and ranges to know
Magnum
According to Auchan, Intense Dark combines milk chocolate ice cream with a dark coating, in a box of three 100 ml ice creams.
- Auchan states that the dark chocolate coating is made with 70% cocoa.
- The ice cream inside isn’t dark chocolate; the listing mentions milk, soya and possible traces of almonds.
TRIUM
E.Leclerc lists this Marque Repère product in a pack of four ice lollies, with a net weight of 308 g.
- The listing distinguishes between dark chocolate ice cream, at 72.8%, and a dark chocolate coating, at 27.2%. These figures describe parts of the recipe, not their cocoa content.
- The recipe includes milk and whey, among other ingredients, so check the ingredients if this matters to your guests.
Ferrero Rondnoir
According to Auchan, this pack of four combines cocoa ice cream with a dark chocolate shell scattered with cocoa pieces.
- The listing states that the ingredients include 32.6% dark chocolate.
- It mentions milk and soya, as well as possible traces of several allergens, including nuts.
NUII
The product described by Auchan comes in a pack of four chocolate ice cream bars with caramel sauce and Brazil nut pieces.
- The listing specifies a dark chocolate coating that makes up 31% of the product.
- Brazil nuts are part of the recipe, so this ice lolly isn’t the right choice if you’re looking for dark chocolate without extras.
Carrefour Extra
According to Carrefour, the Mint Chocolate product is sold in a pack of four and combines dark chocolate with natural mint flavouring.
- The ingredients list states that it contains 29% dark chocolate and 4.1% chopped cocoa beans.
- The mint changes the flavour profile; the listing also mentions milk and possible traces of other allergens.
Ice lollies available on Joybuy
These two individually portioned options combine dark chocolate with a frozen dessert: one is a pack of four chocolate ice creams, while the other is a pack of six fruity mini sorbets. If you’re looking for a specific cocoa content, check the packaging.
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POPELINO Intense Dark Chocolate Ice Lollies, 4 × 312 g total
The pack of four is a good choice if you’re planning one ice lolly per person for a small group. The stated net weight is 312 g for the box; if cocoa content is a deciding factor, check the packaging.
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PopFruit Mini Sorbet Sticks mango, passion fruit and dark chocolate, 6 pieces, 282 g
The six mini ice lollies make it easy to offer individual portions to a larger group. Their combination of mango and passion fruit sorbet with dark chocolate won’t suit the same tastes as an ice cream focused on chocolate; check the packaging if you’re looking for a specific cocoa content.
Frequently asked questions
How can you tell if an ice lolly really puts dark chocolate centre stage?
Check the ice cream, coating and added ingredients separately. Auchan states that Magnum Intense Dark has a dark coating made with 70% cocoa, while E.Leclerc gives the proportions of dark chocolate ice cream and coating for TRIUM. These percentages don’t measure the same thing.
How many ice lollies should you get for match night?
First count how many people would like an ice cream, then get the same number of ice lollies if everyone is to have one. The products shown by Auchan and E.Leclerc come in packs of three or four; check the quantity on the pack you choose.
Which allergens should you check before serving these ice creams?
Always check the ingredients and possible traces on the exact box you’re serving. The listings for these products mention milk or soya, depending on the recipe; NUII’s listing includes Brazil nuts among the ingredients.
Can you put a defrosted ice lolly back in the freezer?
No. The Carrefour listing mentioned for these ice lollies says not to refreeze a defrosted product. Also follow the temperature and storage instructions on each pack as soon as you get home from shopping.
Is the Nutri-Score enough to help you choose a dark chocolate ice lolly?
No: it doesn’t tell you how dark chocolate features in the recipe or which allergens the product contains. If the box displays a Nutri-Score, consider it alongside the nutritional information, ingredients list and allergen warnings, based on what matters to your guests.