Hosts serving several guests
If everyone would like an ice lolly after the crêpes, count the portions before choosing a box. Carrefour and Auchan, for example, offer boxes of 12 ice lollies.
Who are these formats for?
Guests who like to choose their flavour
An assortment lets you offer several flavours without buying multiple boxes. A mini format can also suit anyone who’d prefer a smaller portion after the crêpes.
People who check the ingredients
To cater for your guests’ dietary requirements, check the label for each product and every flavour in an assortment. Allergens can vary between ice lollies and their coatings.
What should you look for before buying?
For a frozen dessert after the crêpes, start with the number of portions, then compare formats based on the choice of flavours and the ingredients you need to check.
| Criteria | What to check | Who it’s for |
|---|---|---|
| Number of portions | Count the ice lollies and compare the net weight of the boxes. Don’t assume that every portion is the same size. | When several guests want an ice lolly after the crêpes, I want to be able to serve everyone without splitting them. Around 40% of consumers would prioritise the number of portions. |
| Format and variety | Check whether the ice lollies are mini and how many flavours the assortment actually contains. | After the crêpes, I’d prefer a small portion or the option to choose a flavour. Variety or a mini format would be the main priority for around 30% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the ingredients list, declared allergens and any ‘may contain’ statements on the box you choose. | If I need to cater for a guest’s dietary requirements, I can’t rely on the brand name alone. Checking the ingredients would come first for around 30% of consumers. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Assuming the number of ice lollies tells you the portion size
Twelve pieces don’t always add up to the same total weight: Auchan lists 450 g for its box of 12 vanilla ice lollies, while ALDI lists 429 g for 12 MUCCI mini ice lollies.
Check the number of pieces, the net weight and whether the box says ‘mini’ before planning how to serve them.
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Assuming every product from a brand has the same allergens
Recipes and coatings vary. Auchan’s box of 12 vanilla ice lollies lists milk, hazelnuts and soya, among other ingredients; the Magnum Mini assortment featured on Joybuy contains milk and may contain nuts.
Check the label on every box you buy, even if you’re already familiar with the brand.
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Leaving ice lollies out during your journey home
The DGCCRF advises that a rise in temperature can increase the risks associated with food storage.
Pick up your ice lollies last, keep them out of the cold for as little time as possible, and put them in the freezer promptly, following the instructions on the packaging.
Brands and retailers to consider
Magnum
Worth considering if you’re looking for a box of mini ice lollies or an assortment of flavours.
- Magnum describes Mini Classic x6 as vanilla ice cream coated in milk chocolate. The Mini assortment featured on Joybuy includes Classic, Almond and White Chocolate.
- Don’t assume details for one flavour apply to another: check the weight and allergens on the box you choose.
Carrefour
A retailer to browse if you’re comparing pack sizes and flavours of ice lollies.
- Its range includes a box of 12 Carrefour Classic’ ice lollies and Carrefour Sensation packs of four.
- Check the product and its availability at your chosen store, for click and collect or for delivery.
E.Leclerc
A place to compare own-brand boxes containing several portions.
- The range includes a 20-stick SMICY assortment and TRIUM ice lollies sold in packs of four.
- Check the details of the specific assortment and whether it’s available at your collection point.
Auchan
Worth a look if you’re after a box of 12 ice lollies to serve several guests.
- The product listing for its vanilla ice lollies specifies 12 pieces weighing 450 g and says to store them in the freezer at −18 °C.
- The ingredients and allergens listed for this box don’t apply to other Auchan products.
Lidl
A retailer to check locally if you shop in store.
- Lidl has an ‘Ice cream’ category in its frozen food range.
- To choose a specific ice lolly, check what’s available in store and read the information on the packaging.
Aldi
Worth considering if you’re comparing mini ice lollies and packs of four.
- ALDI offers 12 MUCCI mini ice lollies, as well as four MUCCI ice lollies with a double coating, available in chocolate, caramel or raspberry flavours.
- Check which product is available at your store and read the label before choosing.
Ice lollies to consider on Joybuy
These boxes offer different ways to serve individual frozen desserts for Candlemas: a pack of twelve, a mini assortment of six, or eight ice lollies in one flavour. Choose based on the portions and flavours you want, then check the label on the product you’ve picked.
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Maison de la Glace Water Ice Pops, 5 flavours, 12 pieces, 1 200 g
A handy option for serving several guests while offering them a choice of flavours. The box contains 12 pieces and weighs 1 200 g. Check the ingredients for the product you choose and its storage instructions before serving.
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Magnum Mini Classic, Almond and White Chocolate x6, 254 g
A great way to offer several flavours in mini portions after the crêpes. This assortment of six ice lollies contains milk and may contain nuts. Check the label on the box you buy if this is relevant to your guests.
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CAPRI-SUN Orange & Cherry Ice Pops x12, 444 g
A box of 12 portions to consider if you’d like to serve several guests an orange and cherry flavour. Check the ingredients, allergens and storage instructions on the packaging.
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Binggrae Melona Banana Ice Cream Bar, 8 × 70 ml
Serve eight portions of banana flavour rather than an assortment of different flavours. If any of your guests have dietary requirements, check the ingredients list and allergens on the box before choosing it.
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Binggrae Melona Coconut Ice Cream Bar, 8 × 70 ml
Serve eight portions of coconut flavour. If you need to cater for your guests’ dietary requirements, check the ingredients and allergens on the box, as well as the storage instructions to keep the ice lollies frozen until serving.
Frequently asked questions
How many individual ice lollies should I get for Candlemas?
Start with the number of guests who’d like an ice lolly after the crêpes, then check how many pieces are in the box. Carrefour, Auchan, ALDI and E.Leclerc offer different quantities. A box of 12 gives you more portions than a box of four or six, although the portions may not be the same size.
Is a mini assortment always suitable after crêpes?
No. Choose one if you want smaller portions or a selection of flavours, not simply because it says ‘mini’ on the box. Compare the number of ice lollies and the net weight with a standard box to see which format best suits your gathering.
How do I check the allergens in an ice lolly?
Read the ingredients and allergens for the exact product, including every flavour in an assortment. Auchan’s box of 12 vanilla ice lollies lists milk, hazelnuts and soya, among other ingredients, while the Magnum Mini assortment featured on Joybuy contains milk and may contain nuts. These details don’t apply to other products from those brands.
How should I store ice lollies until serving?
Follow the temperature and storage instructions on each pack. Keep them out of the cold for as little time as possible during your journey home, then put them in the freezer promptly. The DGCCRF advises that a rise in temperature can increase the risks associated with food storage.