For a christening buffet, first choose the number of lollies and range of flavours to suit your guests and the other desserts on offer. An assortment makes it easier for guests to choose, while a box of one flavour can complement an existing selection. Check the allergens for each product and plan to keep the ice creams frozen until serving.
You’re looking for individual portions to hand out, with several flavours in one purchase, to keep preparation to a minimum on the day of the christening. The eight-lolly assortment featured by Auchan is one example of this format.
You’d like to offer a chocolate-coated lolly or another distinctive recipe alongside the cake or centrepiece, rather than relying on ice cream as the only dessert.
You need to check the allergens in each box and plan how to transport, store and serve the ice creams while keeping them frozen, particularly when children are attending the buffet.
First decide how many portions you’d like to serve, then choose the flavours. Before you finalise your shopping, check the labels and make sure you have enough room in the freezer.
| Factor | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Portions and variety | Number of lollies per box and flavours included; an assortment may not contain the same flavours as a box of one flavour. | If I want to let several guests choose their flavour, the number of portions and the variety matter more than a particular recipe. Around 40% of consumers planning this type of buffet might put this need first. |
| Dessert recipe | Flavour, coating and any sauce listed for the product you choose. | If ice creams are already being served alongside a cake, I might prefer a few chocolate or other distinctive-flavoured lollies instead of a large assorted box. This could be the priority for around 30% of the consumers concerned. |
| Allergens and keeping the ice creams frozen | Ingredients, ‘may contain’ warnings and storage instructions on each pack. | If any guests need to avoid certain ingredients, I want to be able to identify which boxes are suitable for them and keep the products frozen until serving. This precaution could be the main consideration for around 30% of the consumers concerned. |
The Magnum assortment featured by Auchan includes several flavours, including Almond. So, even though there’s a variety of flavours, not every lolly will be suitable for someone who needs to avoid tree nuts.
Keep the packaging until serving, check the ingredients and any ‘may contain’ warnings for each product, and arrange a suitable alternative separately if needed.
The examples featured by retailers include boxes of three lollies and an assortment of eight. The total weight alone won’t tell you how many portions you can serve.
Start with the number of guests you’d like to offer an ice cream to, take the other desserts into account, and add up the number of individual lollies listed on the boxes.
The DGCCRF points out that the cold chain also applies during transport. The Auchan listing for the Häagen-Dazs Smooth Vanilla lolly specifies storage at −18 °C and says not to refreeze the product after thawing.
Pick up frozen products at the end of your shop, minimise the time they spend out of the freezer and follow the instructions on each box before serving.
The range includes chocolate-coated ice cream lollies, sold in single-flavour boxes and assorted packs. Auchan, for example, features a box of eight with Almond, Classic, White Chocolate and Double Caramel.
The Smooth Vanilla and Strawberry ice cream lollies featured by Auchan and Carrefour respectively come in boxes of three.
These individually portioned products let you put together a buffet with a range of flavours or add a small box to an existing selection. Compare the number of lollies per pack and check the packaging for each recipe before serving.
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A box of eight portions to consider if you’d like to serve the same flavour to several guests.
The recipe contains milk and almonds; it may also contain other tree nuts. The description also mentions small pieces of nuts, so take care when serving to young children. Check the packaging and keep the ice creams frozen.
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Four portions to consider as a chocolatey addition to the buffet, rather than enough on their own to serve a large group.
This product contains milk and may contain almonds, hazelnuts or other tree nuts. Check the warnings and storage instructions on the box you buy.
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With two portions, this box is better suited as a small extra than as the main option for the buffet.
The recipe contains milk, soya, pistachio and wheat, among other ingredients; it may contain traces of egg, peanuts, sesame or other tree nuts. Check the packaging. The stated storage temperature is −18 °C; do not refreeze after thawing.
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A small box to consider if you’d like to offer a different flavour alongside the chocolate-coated lollies.
The ingredients list includes milk and warns that the product may contain soya and several types of tree nuts. Check the packaging, particularly for allergen and storage information.
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This coconut sorbet on a stick offers a different type of frozen dessert to serve in individual portions.
The listing says it is made in a facility that handles tree nuts, milk, soya, peanuts and gluten, among other ingredients. It also states that the product is not suitable for children under 36 months. Check the packaging; the stated storage temperature is −18 °C, and the product should not be refrozen after thawing.
Count the lollies based on how many guests you’d like to offer one to and what other desserts you’re serving. The Magnum assortment featured by Auchan contains eight pieces, while the Häagen-Dazs Smooth Vanilla and Strawberry products featured by retailers come in boxes of three. Use the number of individual lollies rather than the pack’s overall weight to work out how many to buy.
Not without checking each flavour: an assortment may include recipes containing almonds or other ingredients that need to be avoided. Anses advises that substances that can cause allergies or intolerances must be highlighted in the ingredients list; also check the ‘may contain’ warnings on the boxes you plan to serve.
Pick them up at the end of your shop and put them in the freezer as soon as possible, keeping their time out of the cold to a minimum during the journey. The DGCCRF points out that the cold chain also applies during transport; then follow the storage and thawing instructions on each pack.