Hosts looking for a dessert to share
If you’d like to serve a centrepiece dessert for several guests, check how many portions it serves and allow for the defrosting time given.
Who are these formats for?
Hosts putting on a buffet of assorted treats
Macarons, petits fours and mochi let you offer a choice of flavours in bite-sized portions, rather than one cake to slice.
Shoppers mindful of ingredients and quantities
If ingredients or your guests’ dietary requirements guide your choice, check the label of the specific product and work out how many portions or pieces you’ll need.
What should you check before buying?
Sharing cake
Choose this if: you want a dessert centrepiece and can plan ahead for its preparation.
Bear in mind: the number of portions and defrosting time vary by product.
Macarons and petits fours
Choose this if: you’d like to offer a selection of bite-sized treats for guests to help themselves to.
Bear in mind: count the pieces and check the allergens in each assortment.
Individual portions
Choose this if: you’d rather serve dessert without having to slice a large cake.
Bear in mind: some desserts need baking or reheating, so follow the instructions on the packaging.
Frozen desserts
Choose this if: you have access to a freezer until it’s time to serve.
Bear in mind: transport and time out of the freezer must follow the storage instructions.
| What to consider | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Format and presentation | Number of portions or pieces, and how it will be served. | I want a centrepiece dessert or easy-to-serve bites, with enough to go round. Around 33 % of consumers put format and presentation at the top of their list. |
| Preparation time | Defrosting method and time, or any baking required. | If the party is coming up soon, I need a dessert I can fit into my schedule. This is the top consideration for around 25 % of consumers. |
| How much to buy | Net weight and the number of portions you can actually serve. | I want to make sure there’s enough dessert for my guests without buying lots of unnecessary boxes. Around 25 % of consumers put quantity first. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Ingredients list, allergens and any warnings about possible traces on the product you buy. | If a guest has a dietary restriction, I need to check the ingredients before choosing a flavour. This is the top priority for around 17 % of consumers. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Judging by the size of the box
A box of bite-sized treats and a sharing cake won’t necessarily serve the same number of guests.
Check the stated number of pieces or portions before putting together your selection.
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Assuming every frozen dessert is ready to serve straight away
Some desserts need several hours to defrost. For example, the raspberry macaron from Picard needs six hours in the fridge.
Read the instructions before you buy and plan when to put it in the fridge.
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Guessing the allergens from the flavour
A fruit or chocolate dessert may also contain milk, eggs, wheat, soya or nuts, depending on the recipe.
Check the ingredients and allergen information on the packaging of the product you buy.
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Leaving a frozen dessert out of the freezer
The DGCCRF reminds shoppers that the cold chain includes transporting and storing food.
Pick up frozen food last when you’re shopping and follow the storage instructions on the packaging.
Retailers and brands to consider
Picard
A frozen food specialist with sharing cakes and smaller treats among its range.
- The product details for its raspberry macaron specify three portions and give defrosting instructions.
- Check local availability and allow the six hours of defrosting stated for this specific product.
E.Leclerc / Côté Table Dessert
Own-brand frozen pastries, including sharing formats and smaller portions.
- The product details for the Côté Table Dessert chocolate fondant include its ingredients.
- Check with the store or online grocery service to confirm the product you want is available.
Auchan
Its frozen pastry range includes macarons and desserts to share.
- The listed formats offer options for a dessert centrepiece or an assortment of bite-sized treats.
- Check which products are available at your store or through your chosen collection service.
Carrefour / Carrefour Extra / Carrefour Sensation
Frozen desserts in sharing formats and individual bite-sized portions.
- The range includes, for example, a Carrefour Extra baked Alaska and Carrefour Sensation frozen mochi.
- Check that your chosen format is available at your store or through your chosen service.
ALDI / Mucci
A range worth considering mainly for ice cream and frozen desserts.
- The Mucci products featured include tubs and ice cream sundaes.
- The range depends on deliveries and current promotions, so check locally for the product you’re looking for.
Lidl
A retailer to check for ice cream in its frozen food range.
- Ice cream is one of the frozen food categories featured by Lidl France.
- If you have a particular dessert in mind, check the range at your local store.
Frozen desserts to consider on Joybuy
These products fit the frozen dessert option for a homemade soirée: mochi to serve as bite-sized treats, ice lollies and individual cups. Keep them frozen and check portions and labels before deciding how to serve them.
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La Compagnie du Mochi Speculoos Vanilla, caramel centre, 6 pieces, 198 g
A bite-sized format for a buffet where guests can help themselves. Check the allergens on the packaging and keep frozen until serving. The manufacturer also warns of a choking risk and states that this product is not suitable for children under 3.
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La Compagnie du Mochi Raspberry Pistachio, 6 pieces, 198 g
Six bite-sized portions for a frozen dessert buffet to share. Check the allergens on the packaging and allow the mochi to soften slightly in line with the product instructions, without assuming how long this will take.
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Binggrae Melona Banana, 8 x 70 ml ice lollies
Individual portions if you’d rather not slice a dessert. Check the ingredients and allergens on the packet before serving them to guests with dietary requirements.
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SOFT Vanilla Strawberry, 140 ml ice cream cups
A cup format that’s ready to serve, with no slicing needed. Check how many cups are in the pack before planning one per guest, and check the ingredients on the packaging.
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BUONO Lychee Mochi Ice Sorbet HL, 156 g
Lychee-flavoured frozen bites to consider for a buffet. Check the packaging for the number of pieces in the pack, serving instructions and allergens before working out portions.
Frequently asked questions
When should you take a frozen cake out of the freezer?
Follow the timings given for your chosen product. For example, the Picard raspberry macaron needs six hours to defrost in the fridge. Another pastry may need to be prepared differently.
Can you refreeze a defrosted dessert?
Don’t refreeze a dessert if the packaging says not to. Picard gives this instruction explicitly for its raspberry macaron. Follow the storage instructions for the product you’re serving, too.
How can you check whether a pastry dessert is suitable for guests with allergies?
Read the ingredients list and allergen information on the packaging of the specific product, including any warnings about possible traces. A fruit or chocolate flavour alone doesn’t tell you what it contains.
How should you transport a frozen dessert after shopping?
Keep it out of the freezer for as little time as possible and follow the storage instructions on the packaging. The DGCCRF reminds shoppers that transport is part of the cold chain, along with handling and storage.