Hosts looking for an easy-to-share dessert
If you’re serving several guests without plating up, the number of bars and the size of each one matter just as much as the recipe.
Who are these sizes suited to?
Fans of recipes with bold flavours
If you’d like to finish the evening with an ice cream dessert featuring inclusions or a distinctive coating, check the specific recipe rather than relying on the range name alone.
Hosts mindful of guests’ allergies
If guests have told you about their dietary requirements, check the ingredients and allergens on every box: these can vary from one flavour to another.
What should you check before choosing?
First decide whether you’re serving a small tasting portion or an individual dessert, then compare recipes while keeping your guests’ dietary requirements in mind.
| What to consider | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Portions and sharing | Number of bars and the weight or volume stated for each one; don’t compare grams and millilitres directly. | If I want every guest to be able to have a small portion after the drinks and nibbles, I look for a box that’s easy to share out. Around 37% of consumers put size and sharing at the top of their list. |
| Flavour and coating | Flavour, type of coating and inclusions in the specific product. | If I want to finish with a more distinctive flavour, the details of the coating and inclusions help me decide. Around 36% of consumers prioritise this indulgent flavour profile. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Ingredients list and allergens shown on the packaging for each recipe. | If a guest tells me they have an allergy, I can’t work out what’s in a product from its flavour name alone. Around 27% of consumers put checking the ingredients first. |
Mistakes to avoid
-
Assuming ‘premium’ or ‘luxury’ guarantees a particular recipe
These terms describe a range’s positioning or presentation; they don’t tell you exactly what’s in the bar or whether your guests will enjoy it.
Compare the number of bars, flavour, coating, inclusions and ingredients list for the product you’re considering.
-
Assuming vanilla or chocolate will suit everyone
The coating and inclusions affect what’s in the product. Product details for some Carrefour Extra varieties mention milk and almonds, for example.
If a guest has told you about an allergy, read the label on every box and have another option that meets their needs.
-
Putting together an assortment without confirming the products
A flavour you’ve spotted in a range may not be available at your chosen shop or collection point.
Confirm the exact product before deciding how many boxes to buy.
Brands and ranges to know
Magnum
Magnum France offers standard bars, mini sizes and its Signature collection, which it describes as inspired by haute couture.
- Mini Classic comes in a box of six 55 ml bars, a size worth considering when serving a group.
- The Signature presentation doesn’t tell you what each flavour contains, so check the label for the product you choose.
Carrefour Sensation
The range includes double chocolate, salted caramel and pistachio-chocolate bars, according to Carrefour France.
- These flavour combinations let you compare different flavours and coatings when putting together an assortment.
- Check the size and ingredients for each recipe rather than assuming that one flavour’s characteristics apply to the whole range.
Carrefour Extra
Carrefour France offers standard-size vanilla, chocolate and almond bars, as well as a box of six mini bars.
- The mini size gives you six portions to hand round.
- The details for the mini product mention milk and almonds: check the packaging if any guests have allergies.
Auchan
The ice cream bar section at Auchan France includes its own products and other brands, with a range of flavours and pack sizes.
- Product names can point you towards options such as pistachio or vanilla and macadamia before you look at the specific products.
- A category page is no substitute for checking the ingredients list and portion information for each box.
MUCCI®
ALDI France describes MUCCI® as a range of ice cream and sorbet that includes double-coated bars.
- The box of four double-coated bars offers another recipe to consider for individual servings.
- Check the flavour and label of the product you choose before adding it to an assortment.
Ice cream bars on Joybuy
This selection includes mini bars to share and boxes of bars for individual desserts. Choose a pack size to suit the number of guests, then check the label for the recipe you’ve selected.
Image unavailable
Magnum Mini Deluxe Caramel, x6, 330 g
Worth considering if you’d like to share caramel mini bars with several guests. Check the ingredients and allergens on the box before serving.
Image unavailable
Magnum Double Billionaire's Mini, x6, 282 g
The mini size works well if you’re planning to serve several small portions. Check the ingredients on the packaging, especially if the recipe name suggests an ingredient that matters to a guest with an allergy.
Image unavailable
Magnum Mini Classic, 6 × 55 ml
The 55 ml portions make it easy to plan one bar per guest before deciding whether you need more than one box. If you’ve been told about any allergies, check the label for this product.
Image unavailable
POPELINO Sicilian Pistache, white chocolate coating, x4, 312 g
This box of four is handy for individual servings if you’re looking for a recipe that combines pistachio and white chocolate. Check the allergens on the packaging before offering it to your guests.
Image unavailable
Magnum Salted Caramel & Almond, x3, 222 g
Three bars make this a good option for individual servings for a small group. The recipe name includes Almond: check the label and your guests’ needs before choosing it.
Frequently asked questions
Should you choose mini or standard ice cream bars after a drinks-and-canapés gathering?
Choose mini bars for a small tasting portion to share, or standard bars if you’re serving an individual dessert. To work out how many boxes you need, compare the number of bars and the quantity per portion; Magnum France, for example, lists Mini Classic as six 55 ml portions.
Does the word ‘luxury’ tell you what’s in an ice cream bar?
No: the word doesn’t describe the ingredients in a specific product. Instead, check the flavour, coating, inclusions, bar size and ingredients list on the packaging.
How do you choose ice cream bars if a guest has an allergy?
Check the allergens on the label of every product you’re considering rather than guessing from the flavour or brand. Some Carrefour Extra product details mention milk and almonds, for example; ingredients can vary from one bar to another.
Will a product listed in a range be available in my shop?
Don’t plan your assortment around a particular flavour until you’ve confirmed the exact product with your chosen shop or collection point. You can then adjust the number of boxes to suit your guests.