Start by choosing the kind of dark chocolate you want in your ice lolly. A stated cocoa percentage for the coating gives you a precise point of comparison, while a double-chocolate recipe or one with nuts may suit different tastes. For a budget-friendly shop, compare the net weight and number of ice lollies in the pack sizes available at your store, then check the ingredients and allergens on the packaging.
If the cocoa flavour matters more to you than a simple ‘chocolate’ label, check the stated percentage and, crucially, which part of the ice lolly it applies to. Auchan, for example, states that the dark chocolate layer in Magnum Intense Dark contains 70% cocoa; this figure does not apply to the whole ice lolly.
For a budget-friendly shop, compare the net weight and number of ice lollies in the products available at your store. A box of three and a box of four don’t contain the same amount to take home or offer the same number of portions.
Dark chocolate recipes may contain milk, soya or nuts, and the packaging may warn that other allergens could be present. If you need to avoid any of these, check the ingredients and packaging information for the pack you choose rather than relying on the flavour name alone.
When comparing dark chocolate ice lollies, start with the taste and ingredients you’re looking for, then compare pack sizes that fit your dietary requirements.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it’s for |
|---|---|---|
| Dark chocolate flavour | Look for a stated cocoa percentage and check whether it applies to the coating or the whole ice lolly. Cocoa percentages and the proportion of chocolate in a recipe measure different things. | I want a distinct dark chocolate taste, without assuming that the whole ice lolly has the same composition as its shell; around 40% of consumers prioritise this flavour cue. |
| Pack size | Compare the net weight and number of ice lollies in the products you’re considering at your chosen store. | To plan my shop, I need to know exactly how much is in each box. Pack size is the top consideration for around 30% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the ingredients list and any ‘may contain’ warnings on the packaging; check the storage instructions too. | If anyone in my household needs to avoid certain ingredients, I need to rule out unsuitable recipes before choosing a flavour or pack size; around 30% of consumers prioritise this check. |
A figure may refer to the cocoa in the coating, the proportion of dark chocolate in the recipe or another ingredient. For Magnum Intense Dark, the 70% cocoa stated by Auchan applies to the dark chocolate layer.
Read the wording alongside each percentage before comparing two ice lollies.
Four small ice lollies won’t necessarily weigh the same as four ice lollies in another recipe. Pack size also determines how many portions you’ll need to store.
Check both the number of pieces and the net weight shown on each box.
A dark chocolate shell may be paired with an ice cream containing milk or soya; recipes with almonds or Brazil nuts contain other ingredients to check. The packaging may also state that other allergens could be present.
If you have an allergy or intolerance, check the information on the pack you buy before eating it.
The range available for collection or delivery depends on the store and area you select.
Choose your store before adding an ice lolly to your basket.
These recipes show different ways to pair ice cream with dark chocolate. Their percentages don’t all refer to the same part of the ice lolly.
Magnum Intense Dark combines chocolate ice cream with a dark chocolate shell.
Double Chocolate combines chocolate ice cream, chocolate sauce and a dark chocolate coating in a box of four ice lollies.
Ferrero Rondnoir combines cocoa ice cream, a dark chocolate shell and cocoa pieces. Auchan lists a four-piece pack weighing 200 g.
This ice lolly combines vanilla ice cream with a dark chocolate and almond coating.
This Nuii ice lolly combines chocolate ice cream with caramel sauce, a dark chocolate coating and Brazil nut pieces.
These two products pair an ice lolly with dark chocolate: one is chocolate ice cream, while the other is a mini fruit sorbet. Compare their formats and different centres to find the one that suits your taste.
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Worth a look if you’d prefer a dark chocolate ice lolly rather than one with a fruity centre.
The box contains four ice lollies and has a stated weight of 312 g. If you need to avoid certain allergens, read the information on the pack before choosing.
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This pack is a good fit if you’re looking for a mango and passion fruit sorbet centre with dark chocolate, rather than chocolate ice cream inside.
The box contains six mini ice lollies and has a stated weight of 282 g. If you have dietary requirements, check the ingredients and allergen information on the packaging.
No: check which ingredient the information refers to. Auchan states that the dark chocolate layer in Magnum Intense Dark contains 70% cocoa, while the 36% given for the Côte d’Or ice lolly refers to the proportion of its dark chocolate coating.
Check both the net weight and the number of pieces, then choose a pack size that suits the portions you want to store. Three ice lollies weighing 222 g and four weighing 200 g don’t offer the same number of portions or the same total quantity.
Depending on the ice lolly, check for milk, soya, almonds and other nuts, as well as any warnings about peanuts, cereals containing gluten and eggs. In France, allergens in the ingredients list of prepacked food must be clearly highlighted, as the DGCCRF reminds consumers; check the packaging of the product you buy.
Follow the temperature and storage instructions on the packaging of the pack you choose. Auchan’s listings for several of the ice lollies mentioned specify storage at −18 °C; keep them out of the freezer for as little time as possible on your journey home.
Not necessarily: the range shown for collection or delivery depends on the store and area selected. Once you’ve chosen your store, check that the ice lolly appears in your basket.