Who are these options for?

Dark chocolate fans

You’re getting ready for movie night and want a shell with real dark chocolate character, rather than a pack that simply says ‘chocolate’.

Groups who enjoy a crunch

You want to share ice lollies and choose between a shell with cocoa nibs and an almond recipe, depending on what your guests like.

Allergen-conscious shoppers

You’re choosing for several people, so you need to check the ingredients and any ‘may contain’ warnings on each pack before serving.

What should you look for first?

Start by checking the ingredients in the coating separately from those in the ice cream inside. Then compare the size and texture to find a recipe that suits everyone sharing your snack.

What to consider What to check Who is it for?
Dark chocolate Look for ‘dark chocolate’ on the coating, and check the cocoa percentage of that chocolate if it’s listed on the pack. If I’m mainly looking for a dark chocolate shell, I want to distinguish its ingredients from those of the centre. Around 40% of consumers would put this level of intensity at the top of their list.
Sharing and texture Check the number of ice lollies, the net weight and whether they contain cocoa nibs or almonds. For a group movie night, I want enough portions and a texture everyone will enjoy. Sharing and crunch would be a priority for around 30% of consumers.
Ingredients and storage Check the ingredients, allergens and any ‘may contain’ warnings, as well as the storage instructions on the pack. When guests have dietary requirements, I need to check the exact recipe before serving the ice lollies. Around 30% of consumers would make this their first priority.

Common mix-ups to avoid

  • Assuming every ‘chocolate’ ice lolly is a dark chocolate one

    The shell and centre can be different: Auchan’s product listing for Magnum Intense Dark describes milk chocolate ice cream under a dark chocolate coating. Carrefour Sensation’s ‘Milk and Dark Chocolate’ product combines milk chocolate and dark chocolate.

    Read the product description and ingredients for each part of the recipe. Don’t confuse the percentage of dark chocolate in the product with the cocoa percentage of that chocolate.

  • Choosing crunchy inclusions without checking with your guests

    Côte d’Or’s dark chocolate recipe contains almonds. Auchan’s Ferrero Rondnoir listing also mentions allergens and possible traces, so a crunchy option won’t automatically be suitable for everyone sharing a platter.

    Ask about dietary requirements before you buy, then check the ingredients and any ‘may contain’ warnings on the packs you choose.

  • Comparing boxes by the number of ice lollies alone

    Two boxes containing four ice lollies may have different net weights. The number of portions helps you plan for sharing, but it doesn’t tell you how much ice cream you’re getting.

    Compare both the number of portions and the net weight, bearing in mind that recipes and inclusions can differ too.

  • Letting the ice lollies warm up before movie night

    The product listings for Magnum Intense Dark, Ferrero Rondnoir and Côte d’Or specify storage at −18 °C. So, getting your frozen treats from the shop to the freezer is part of planning your snack.

    Pick up frozen products at the end of your shopping trip, transport them appropriately and follow the instructions on the pack, especially after defrosting.

Brands and products to know

Magnum

Auchan’s listing for Magnum Intense Dark describes three ice lollies with milk chocolate ice cream and a dark chocolate coating stated to contain 70% cocoa.

  • The stated cocoa percentage applies to the coating on this specific product.
  • Intense Dark contains milk and soya and may contain almonds; the ice cream inside isn’t dark chocolate.

Ferrero

Auchan’s listing for Rondnoir describes four cocoa ice cream lollies with a dark chocolate shell and cocoa nibs, weighing 200 g.

  • The cocoa nibs give this recipe its distinctive texture.
  • Rondnoir contains milk and soya. Check the pack for other allergens and possible traces, as well as the ingredients in the dark chocolate if they influence your choice.

Côte d’Or

Auchan’s vanilla, dark chocolate and almond product comes in a pack of four ice lollies weighing 260 g. The recipe lists 36% dark chocolate and 6% chopped roasted almonds.

  • It combines vanilla ice cream, a dark chocolate coating and almonds.
  • Almonds are part of the recipe. The 36% refers to the proportion of dark chocolate, not its cocoa content.

Carrefour Sensation

Carrefour offers a ‘Milk and Dark Chocolate’ box of four ice lollies weighing 284 g.

  • The recipe combines milk and dark chocolate components, making it a good choice if you’re after a mix of both.
  • The listing states that it contains 26.8% milk chocolate, 9.9% dark chocolate and peanuts, so it isn’t an exclusively dark chocolate recipe.

Mucci

ALDI France features Mucci ice lollies with a double coating among its frozen desserts.

  • The type of coating is one factor to consider when choosing the texture you want.
  • If you’re considering a Mucci ice lolly as a dark chocolate option, check the label, ingredients and allergens on the specific product.

Ice lollies to discover on Joybuy

These two options suit different movie-night cravings: Intense Dark ice lollies with a focus on chocolate, and mini mango and passion fruit sorbet lollies with dark chocolate. Compare their recipes and portion sizes rather than treating them as two equivalent levels of cocoa intensity.

POPELINO Intense Dark Chocolate ice lollies, box of 4

POPELINO Intense Dark Chocolate, 4 ice lollies, 312 g

A pack of four ice lollies for a chocolate-focused snack. If you’re choosing based on a specific cocoa content, check the percentage stated for the chocolate on the pack. Be sure to check the allergens before sharing too.

View on Joybuy
PopFruit mango and passion fruit sorbet mini lollies with dark chocolate, box of 6

PopFruit mango and passion fruit mini sorbets with dark chocolate, 6 pieces, 282 g

A fruity option in a pack of six mini ice lollies, ideal if you’d like to serve smaller portions with dark chocolate. The mango and passion fruit sorbet gives this recipe a different flavour profile. If the ingredients or allergens matter to you, check the pack before buying.

View on Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Does a ‘dark’ ice lolly contain only dark chocolate ice cream?

No. The term may refer to the coating without describing the centre. Auchan’s listing for Magnum Intense Dark specifies milk chocolate ice cream under a dark chocolate shell. Check the descriptions of the ice cream and coating separately.

What should I read on the pack before serving ice lollies to a group?

Read the ingredients list, highlighted allergens and any ‘may contain’ warnings, then check the number of portions and the net weight. The DGCCRF reminds shoppers that allergens in the ingredients of prepacked foods must be highlighted on the label.

Is an ice lolly with a dark chocolate shell suitable for someone with a milk or nut allergy?

Not necessarily: the dark chocolate shell doesn’t tell you what’s in the whole ice lolly. The Magnum Intense Dark, Ferrero Rondnoir and Côte d’Or products described by Auchan contain milk; the Côte d’Or recipe contains almonds. If someone has an allergy, check the ingredients and possible traces on the exact pack before serving.

How should I keep ice lollies frozen until movie night?

Follow the temperature and storage instructions on the pack. Auchan’s listings for Magnum Intense Dark, Ferrero Rondnoir and Côte d’Or specify −18 °C. Keep them out of the freezer for as little time as possible, and don’t refreeze a product once it has defrosted.