Hosts serving several guests
After crêpes, mini ice lollies make it easy to serve individual portions. An assortment also gives everyone a choice of flavours, like the Mucci box featured by ALDI France.
Who are these formats for?
Anyone after a second dessert
If the lolly is meant to be a dessert in its own right, compare what goes into it: ice cream, sauce, coating and nuts. The Häagen-Dazs product featured by Auchan combines vanilla, chocolate and roasted almonds.
Shoppers keeping an eye on quantities and allergens
Choose a box with enough lollies for everyone, then check the label on the exact product if anyone has an allergy. The chocolate recipes mentioned here don’t all contain the same ingredients or carry the same may-contain warnings.
What should you look for before choosing?
For a Candlemas spread, first decide whether the ice lolly will complement the crêpes or serve as a second dessert. You can then compare boxes by format, recipe and dietary requirements.
| Criterion | What to check | Shoppers who may value it |
|---|---|---|
| Portions and flavours | Count the lollies and check which flavours are included in the assortment. | After several crêpes, I’d rather offer a small portion and let everyone choose their own flavour. Around 33% of shoppers in this group may prioritise sharing and variety. |
| Dessert ingredients | Compare the ice cream, sauce, coating and ingredients in the product you’re considering. | If the ice lolly is replacing another dessert, I look for a recipe with textures I’ll enjoy. An indulgent taste could be the top priority for around 44% of shoppers in this group. |
| Quantity and dietary requirements | Check the net weight, allergens and may-contain warnings on the exact box. | If not everyone can eat the same ingredients, I need to find a suitable recipe without buying too many portions. This could be a priority for around 23% of shoppers. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Choosing the biggest box without counting the portions
Net weight and the number of lollies answer two different questions: a heavier box won’t necessarily give you the number of portions you need.
Check both figures and choose a quantity that suits your guests.
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Relying on the flavour alone to check for allergens
The chocolate products mentioned by Auchan and Carrefour contain ingredients such as milk, soya or almonds, depending on the recipe. May-contain warnings can also vary.
If you or a guest has an allergy or avoids certain ingredients, check the ingredients and may-contain warnings on the exact packaging before serving.
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Letting the lollies thaw on the way home
Getting your frozen dessert home safely is part of choosing it. The French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety (ANSES) recommends buying frozen food at the end of your shop and using an insulated bag.
Head straight home, follow the temperature instructions on the box and don’t refreeze a product once it has thawed.
Brands and retailers to know
Magnum
Mini Almond lollies and Classic, Almond and White Chocolate assortments are worth considering when you want to serve a choice of flavours after crêpes.
- According to Magnum France, Mini Almond combines vanilla ice cream, milk chocolate and almond pieces.
- Ingredients and allergens depend on the box you choose, so check the label.
Häagen-Dazs
The roasted almond, chocolate and vanilla ice lolly featured by Auchan combines ice cream, chocolate sauce, a Belgian milk chocolate coating and roasted almonds.
- This recipe is a good choice if you’re after an ice lolly with several distinct elements.
- This product contains milk, soya and almonds, and may contain other nuts. Auchan advises storing it at −18 °C and not refreezing it after thawing.
Carrefour Extra
The 616 g box of vanilla and white chocolate lollies is worth looking at if total weight is an important factor in your choice.
- The stated net weight makes it easier to compare the quantity with that of other boxes.
- This recipe contains milk and soya; Carrefour also warns that it may contain traces of other allergens. Check the label on the box you choose.
Mucci
ALDI France features a Mucci assortment of 12 mini lollies in milk, white chocolate, almond and classic varieties.
- With 12 lollies in a range of flavours, it’s a good fit for a table where everyone wants to choose their own.
- Check the ingredients on the exact box, especially if a guest needs to avoid particular allergens.
Auchan
Auchan’s ice lolly range includes several brands, such as Magnum, Häagen-Dazs, Nuii and Côte d’Or, as well as its own-label products.
- This section lets you compare mini formats and a range of chocolate recipes.
- Check what’s available at your local store before choosing a particular box.
Ice lollies to consider
These two boxes of six lollies offer different ways to round off your crêpes: an assortment of mini Magnum lollies or a vanilla recipe with PAW Patrol cocoa sauce.
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Magnum Mini Classic, Almond and White Chocolate, x6, 254 g
Worth considering if you’d like to serve mini lollies in a range of flavours after crêpes.
The box contains six lollies with a total weight of 254 g. If you have an allergy, check the ingredients and may-contain warnings on the packaging; store the product as directed and don’t refreeze it after thawing.
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PAW Patrol, vanilla and cocoa sauce ice lollies, x6, 270 g
Worth considering if you’d prefer to serve several guests the same vanilla and cocoa combination.
The box contains six ice lollies with a total weight of 270 g. Check the allergens on the exact packaging, follow the storage instructions and don’t refreeze the product after thawing.
Frequently asked questions
How do you choose an ice lolly for someone with an allergy?
Check the ingredients and may-contain warnings on the exact box, even if you know the brand. The French Directorate-General for Competition Policy, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control (DGCCRF) notes that allergenic ingredients must be highlighted on food labels. What they contain varies from one recipe to another.
Can you buy ice lollies in advance for Candlemas?
Yes, as long as you can transport and store them according to the instructions on the packaging. ANSES recommends buying frozen food at the end of your shop and using an insulated bag. Don’t refreeze an ice lolly once it has thawed.
Is “premium” enough to help you choose an ice lolly?
No. The term doesn’t tell you about portion size or the exact ingredients in the recipe. When choosing something to serve with crêpes, compare the ingredients, nutritional information per 100 g or 100 ml where provided, allergens and number of lollies.