Organisers counting out portions
If you want to serve dessert without cutting it up, count the ice lollies rather than relying on the box’s total weight. The ranges featured by Magnum, Auchan, ALDI and E.Leclerc include boxes of 6 or 12.
Who are these sizes suitable for?
Hosts mindful of allergens
If any guests have allergies, compare the ingredients and precautionary allergen statements for the batch you’ll be serving. Depending on the recipes featured by each retailer, you may need to check for milk, soya or nuts, among other ingredients.
Organisers planning transport and serving
If the ice lollies need to be kept for a while before serving, make room in the freezer and take the boxes out as needed. The French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety (ANSES) advises buying frozen products at the end of your shopping trip, carrying them in an insulated bag and keeping the journey as short as possible.
Which criteria should you prioritise?
For this buffet, start with your guests and how you plan to serve the ice lollies, then compare the recipes and sizes available. An assorted box and a box of 12 may not suit the same needs.
| Criteria | What to check | Who is this for? |
|---|---|---|
| Recipe allergens | Read the ingredients and precautionary allergen statements for each recipe on the packaging you’ll be serving, including those in an assorted box. | If any guests have allergies, I need to be able to tell the recipes apart before offering them; around 27% of consumers put this compatibility first. |
| Number and size of portions | Compare the number of ice lollies in each box and whether they’re mini or standard size. Check the quantity per lolly if it’s listed. | To serve everyone without running short or choosing ice lollies that are too large for the dessert planned, around 27% of consumers prioritise the size and number of pieces. |
| Cold chain | Check the storage instructions on the packaging and plan for insulated transport, as well as taking the boxes out at serving time. | If I need to transport the ice lollies and then wait before serving dessert, keeping them frozen shapes the whole serving plan; around 26% of consumers make this their priority. |
| Flavour selection | Compare how many flavours are actually included and how they’re divided up in the box. | When guests have different tastes, I prefer to know which flavours everyone can choose from; around 20% of consumers prioritise this variety. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Relying on the description “vanilla and chocolate”
Two ice lollies with similar flavours may contain different ingredients or carry different precautionary allergen statements. The Carrefour Classic’ box, for example, includes vanilla and chocolate recipes with different ingredients.
Read the information for each recipe on the exact packaging and keep it to hand during the buffet.
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Working out quantities by box weight alone
Six mini ice lollies, 12 standard ice lollies and four 100 ml portions won’t divide up in the same way between guests.
Decide on the portion size you want, then add up the number of pieces listed on the boxes before deciding how much to buy.
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Taking all the ice lollies out at the start of the buffet
They may start to thaw before they’re served. ANSES recommends keeping transport time for frozen products to a minimum and using an insulated bag.
Keep the boxes in the freezer and take them out in small batches. The Auchan Pouce product information says never to refreeze a product once it has thawed.
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Assuming a product is available without checking where to buy it
The E.Leclerc page for SMICY x12 ice lollies says the product isn’t sold directly on the website and advises checking with the store.
Confirm availability at the store or on the Drive service you plan to use, and check the label of any replacement product too.
Brands to know when comparing sizes
Magnum
The range featured includes an assortment of six 55 ml mini ice lollies in Classic, Almond and White Chocolate flavours, as well as Classic ice lollies at 100 ml each.
- The mini assortment includes three flavours, while the 100 ml Classic is a larger portion.
- The products featured contain milk, and some mention nuts or traces of nuts. Check the packaging of the one you choose.
Carrefour Classic’
The box featured by Carrefour contains 12 ice lollies: six vanilla and six chocolate, weighing 450 g in total.
- The number of pieces and the split between the two recipes make it easier to plan your serving.
- The product information mentions possible traces of gluten, peanuts, nuts, soya and eggs, among other allergens. Check the statements for each recipe.
Pouce (Auchan)
Auchan features a box of 12 Pouce vanilla and chocolate ice lollies, weighing 402 g.
- The pack of 12 makes it easy to count portions before the buffet.
- The product information says to store at −18 °C and not to refreeze after thawing. Check the packaging for allergens too.
SMICY (Marque Repère, E.Leclerc)
The product featured by E.Leclerc is a box of 12 vanilla ice lollies, weighing 456 g.
- The x12 pack gives you a clearly stated number of portions.
- The page advises checking with the store for availability. Also read the ingredients on the packaging before serving.
MUCCI (ALDI)
ALDI features a pack of 12 MUCCI mini ice lollies, weighing 429 g.
- The number of mini portions makes this a good option for serving smaller portions.
- If you’re choosing a recipe for guests with allergies, read the ingredients and allergen statements on the exact packaging.
Individual ice lollies on Joybuy
These ice lollies come in different pack sizes, flavours and portion sizes for serving at a buffet. Compare their size with the dessert you have planned, and check the label of each product before offering it to guests with allergies.
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Maison de la Glace Water Ice Pops, 5 flavours, 12 pieces, 1 200 g
Worth considering if you want to count out 12 portions while offering a choice of flavours.
Check the ingredients and allergen statements on the packaging before serving to guests who need to avoid certain ingredients.
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Magnum Mini Classic, Almond and White Chocolate, x6, 254 g
This assortment is ideal for serving mini portions when you want to offer three flavours.
Joybuy’s product information lists milk and possible nuts, including almonds or pistachios. Check the label on the batch you’ll be serving.
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CAPRI-SUN Orange & Cherry Ice Pops, x12, 444 g
An option to compare if you’re planning 12 individual orange and cherry portions.
Before the buffet, check the ingredients and precautionary allergen statements on the exact packaging.
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MAGNUM Vanilla Almond Ice Cream Bars, x8, 600 g
This box of eight ice lollies makes it easy to plan individual portions when they’re being served as dessert.
Check the recipe and allergens on the packaging of the batch you choose.
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Binggrae Melona Coconut Ice Cream Bar, 8 × 70 ml
This box is ideal for serving eight individual coconut portions.
If any guests have allergies, check the ingredients and allergens on the packaging of the batch before serving.
Frequently asked questions
How many ice lollies should you allow for at a christening buffet?
If an ice lolly is the planned dessert, start by allowing one per guest, then adjust depending on how you intend to serve them. Next, compare the number of pieces per box: the sizes featured include six Magnum mini ice lollies, 12 Auchan ice lollies or four 100 ml Magnum Classic ice lollies.
Should you keep the packaging during serving?
Yes. Keep at least the packaging for each product you serve so you can check the recipe and storage instructions. The DGCCRF (the French Directorate-General for Competition Policy, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control) reminds food businesses that allergenic ingredients must be highlighted on food labels.
Is a vanilla and chocolate ice lolly suitable for everyone with an allergy?
No. You can’t tell whether a recipe is suitable just by looking at its flavour. For the products featured by Carrefour, Auchan and Magnum, check for milk, soya and nuts in particular, as well as other ingredients and precautionary allergen statements on the exact packaging.
How should you transport ice lollies to the buffet?
Carry them in an insulated bag, keeping the journey as short as possible, then put them in the freezer until serving time. ANSES advises buying frozen products at the end of your shopping trip. Also follow the temperature and thawing instructions on each pack.