Families looking to serve several desserts
If the number of portions matters more than the flavour, six-cone boxes offer a useful point of comparison: Carrefour, Auchan and E.Leclerc list products in this format.
Who are these pack sizes for?
Households sharing out smaller portions
If you want to hand out more cones without assuming they are all the size of a classic cone, look at eight-piece packs, including the mini cones in Carrefour and Auchan’s ranges.
Shoppers who pay attention to ingredients and allergens
If the ingredients determine your choice, read the label for each recipe. Products listed by Auchan, Carrefour and Magnum include milk and wheat, among other ingredients; other ingredients and precautionary ‘may contain’ statements vary by product.
What should you look for before buying?
First, choose a box with enough portions for the number of desserts you plan to serve. Then compare its net weight, recipe and label with your household’s needs.
Six classic cones
Consider this: if six individual desserts suit your meal plans; Carrefour Extra, Auchan and TRIUM list products in this format.
Bear in mind: flavours and ingredients vary from one product to another.
Eight cones, including mini sizes
Consider this: if serving more individual cones matters more than giving everyone a classic-sized cone.
Bear in mind: a mini cone may be a different serving size; check the net weight to get a sense of the quantity.
Four cones
Consider this: if a Cornetto or Magnum recipe you like is right for four people, or you’re adding it to another box.
Bear in mind: you’ll need more than one box to serve more people.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Number of portions | Check the number of cones alongside the net weight, and distinguish mini cones from classic sizes. | For dessert at a large gathering, I want to count the cones without mistaking eight mini pieces for eight classic cones; around 50% of shoppers prioritise the number of portions. |
| Choice of recipes | Check the exact flavour and the number of pieces in each box you’re considering. | If people around the table have different tastes, I look for the recipes they want while keeping in mind how many people each box will serve; variety comes first for around 30% of shoppers. |
| Food label | Check the ingredients and allergens for the box you choose; compare nutritional values on the same basis, per 100 g or per 100 ml. | If someone needs to avoid an ingredient, or I want to compare two recipes, the label determines my choice; around 20% of shoppers prioritise this information. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Assuming eight mini cones are the same as eight classic cones
The number of pieces alone doesn’t tell you how much is in the box. The selections listed by Auchan, Carrefour and E.Leclerc include products in different sizes and weights.
Compare the number of cones and the net weight before deciding what size dessert you want to serve.
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Choosing by flavour without checking the allergens again
A recipe may combine ice cream, a wafer cone and inclusions. Ingredients and precautionary ‘may contain’ statements vary between products, even within the same category.
Check the ingredients list on the exact box you’re buying, especially if someone needs to avoid an allergen.
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Assuming an ordinary lunch box is suitable for ice cream cones
The product information for Auchan’s vanilla and strawberry cones specifies storage at −18 °C and says not to refreeze once thawed. Don’t assume an ordinary lunch box is suitable for transporting these frozen products.
If you’re taking them out for a meal, check that your equipment can maintain the storage conditions stated on the packaging.
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Assuming every shop stocks the same selection
A product being included in a retailer’s listed range doesn’t mean it will be available at the shop where you do your shopping.
If you need several boxes for your meal, check that each product is available at your chosen shop.
Brands and ranges to know
Carrefour Extra
Carrefour lists several Carrefour Extra cone recipes in boxes of six, including vanilla and chocolate, and strawberry and vanilla.
- Several recipes make it easy to compare boxes with the same number of pieces.
- Check the net weight and allergens for the recipe you choose.
TRIUM
E.Leclerc’s Marque Repère range includes TRIUM cones in boxes of six, including vanilla and chocolate, and vanilla and strawberry.
- The six-cone format makes it easier to choose based on the number of desserts you’re planning.
- Check which product your local shop stocks before deciding how many boxes to buy.
Auchan
Auchan lists cones from its range in boxes of six, along with other pack sizes.
- Auchan’s vanilla and strawberry cone listing gives details such as the net weight, ingredients and storage instructions for that product.
- Check these details for each recipe rather than assuming they apply to the whole range.
Cornetto
Auchan lists Italian-style Cornetto vanilla and strawberry cones in a box of four.
- This format lets you choose a specific recipe if four cones are enough for your planned dessert.
- For a larger gathering, work out how many boxes you’ll need and check the recipe’s ingredients.
Magnum
Products listed by Magnum and Carrefour include cones in boxes of four, including pistachio, and chocolate and hazelnut varieties.
- You can choose a specific recipe rather than prioritising the number of cones in the box.
- Check for nuts and other allergens listed for the variety you choose.
Ice cream cones available on Joybuy
These boxes include four EXTRÊME options, each with six cones for serving several individual desserts, followed by a four-cone Magnum option for anyone who prefers a pistachio recipe. Compare the quantities and check the label for each variety before choosing.
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EXTRÊME strawberry and vanilla ice cream cones, 6 × 426 g total
Serve six individual desserts with a strawberry and vanilla recipe.
The box contains six cones with a total net weight of 426 g. Check the allergens on the packaging; store at −18 °C and do not refreeze after thawing.
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Extrême raspberry and lemon ice cream cones, 6 cones, 438 g
Serve six people if a raspberry and lemon recipe suits your household’s tastes.
The total net weight is 438 g. Check the allergens on the box; store the cones at −18 °C and do not refreeze after thawing.
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EXTRÊME chocolate ice cream cones, 6 cones, 426 g
Share six cones with a chocolate recipe.
The total net weight is 426 g. Check the allergens for this variety on the box; store at −18 °C and do not refreeze the cones after thawing.
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EXTRÊME red berry sorbet ice cream cones, 6 cones, 438 g
Serve six cones with a red berry recipe.
The total net weight is 438 g. The word ‘sorbet’ doesn’t mean you can skip checking the ingredients and allergens for this product; store at −18 °C and do not refreeze after thawing.
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Magnum Pistachio, 4 ice cream cones of 90 ml
Choose a pistachio recipe when four cones are enough or will complement another dessert.
The pack contains 4 × 90 ml. If you’re comparing this box with packs labelled in grams, check its net weight on the packaging. Also check the ingredients, allergens and storage instructions.
Frequently asked questions
How do I compare two boxes with different numbers of cones?
Compare the number of pieces and the net weight to assess the quantities, and distinguish mini cones from classic cones. To compare recipes on the same basis, use the nutritional values per 100 g or per 100 ml: the DGCCRF says this makes it easier to compare prepacked foods.
Which allergens should I check in ice cream cones?
Read the ingredients list and any ‘may contain’ statements for the exact product you’re considering. Products listed by Auchan and Carrefour include examples containing milk and wheat, while other allergens vary by recipe. The DGCCRF says that allergenic ingredients in prepacked foods must be highlighted in the ingredients list.
Can I take ice cream cones in a lunch box?
Don’t rely on an ordinary lunch box to keep ice cream cones frozen without checking how well it can maintain a low temperature. The product information for Auchan’s vanilla and strawberry cones specifies storage at −18 °C and says not to refreeze once thawed; follow the instructions on the packaging for the product you’re transporting.
Is the Nutri-Score enough to choose between two recipes?
No. When choosing between two ice cream cones, also look at the ingredients, allergens, quantity per box and nutritional values on the same basis. A displayed score doesn’t replace information specific to each recipe.