If you’re serving an ice lolly alongside a dessert, a mini is a good choice. If the lolly is to be the dessert in its own right, consider a standard size. In either case, check the volume per lolly, the recipe and how many are in the box: an individual portion isn’t necessarily sold as a single item.
If the cake or fruit already fills the plate, a mini ice lolly can add a cool touch without becoming the main event. Magnum lists its Mini Classic, Almond and White Chocolate selection at 55 ml per lolly, and its Mini Double Chocolate at 60 ml.
If the lolly is to be the dessert in its own right, look at standard sizes and their recipes. Joybuy France lists a Magnum Deluxe Caramel at 85 ml per lolly; Auchan offers a Magnum selection at 110 ml per lolly.
Individually wrapped portions make it easy to serve several people or save some lollies for other homemade desserts. Carrefour, E.Leclerc and ALDI catalogues include boxes of ice lollies and minis. Compare the number of lollies with the space you have in your freezer.
First decide whether the lolly will accompany a dessert or be the dessert, then compare recipes and box sizes to suit.
| What to consider | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Portion size | Compare the volume or weight per lolly, not just the size of the box. Magnum lists the minis mentioned above at 55 or 60 ml. | When there’s already a cake on my plate, I’d rather have a small frozen treat than a second dessert; this would be the top priority for around 31% of consumers. |
| Flavour pairing | Check the ice cream flavour, coating and any inclusions for each product. | When I’m putting together a plate with cake, I want to choose a flavour that goes with it; around 23% of consumers would put this pairing first. |
| Ingredients | Check the ingredients list, any allergens highlighted and the nutritional information on the specific box. | If I’m serving someone who needs to avoid an ingredient, I need to check the exact recipe; this would be the first thing around 23% of consumers look at. |
| Number of portions | Check how many lollies are in the box, the quantity per lolly and how much freezer space you’ll need. | When I’m preparing desserts for several occasions, I look for individually wrapped portions that I can keep in the freezer; this would be the top priority for around 23% of consumers. |
An ice lolly is eaten as a single portion, but products listed by Carrefour, E.Leclerc and ALDI also come in boxes containing several lollies.
Before you choose, check the number of lollies and the quantity per lolly on the box.
Ingredients vary between products. Magnum lists milk and possible traces of soya or almonds in its Mini Double Chocolate; other selections may contain several different recipes.
If you need to avoid an allergen, read the information on the exact box, even if you already know the brand. The DGCCRF reminds shoppers that allergenic ingredients must be highlighted on the label.
An ice lolly left out of the freezer can melt before the plate is ready.
Prepare everything else first and take the lollies out just before serving. When shopping, ANSES advises buying frozen food last and using an insulated bag to carry it home.
A brand to consider if you’re looking for a chocolate-coated ice lolly in a mini or standard size.
Store-brand ranges worth browsing if you want to compare different recipes and pack sizes of frozen desserts.
A range available at E.Leclerc, including vanilla lollies coated in milk chocolate and almonds.
An ALDI brand to consider if you’d like to keep several frozen portions at home.
This Magnum selection includes minis to serve alongside a dessert and a standard-size lolly to consider as an individual dessert. All are sold in multi-packs, so choose according to the portion size you want and the recipe of each product.
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A mini size to consider alongside a dessert. The box contains six lollies, each 55 ml.
If you’re serving someone with an allergy, check the allergens on the packaging.
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A size to consider when the lolly is to be an individual dessert. Joybuy France lists four 85 ml caramel portions in this pack.
The box isn’t sold as a single lolly. Check the label for allergens before serving.
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A selection of minis to consider if you’d like to offer a choice of flavours with homemade desserts. The box contains six lollies, with a total weight of 254 g.
If portion size is a deciding factor, check it on the packaging. Also check the allergens for each flavour.
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A mini caramel lolly to consider as a cool treat after a dessert. The box contains six, with a total weight of 330 g.
If you need a specific portion size, check the volume per lolly, as well as the allergens listed on the box.
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A selection of six minis to serve with several desserts. The stated total weight is 282 g; the recipe includes salted caramel and a chocolate coating.
Check the packaging for the volume per lolly, allergens and storage instructions for this product.
No. “Individual” describes the portion, not necessarily the pack size. Carrefour, E.Leclerc and ALDI, for example, list boxes containing several lollies, so check the number in the pack before choosing.
A mini lolly works well if the cake is already the main part of the dessert; consider a standard size if the ice cream is to take centre stage. Magnum lists two mini products at 55 or 60 ml, while Joybuy France lists a Deluxe Caramel at 85 ml per lolly. Check the portion size on the box you choose.
Read the ingredients and allergen information on the exact box, taking each flavour in the selection into account. The DGCCRF reminds shoppers that allergenic ingredients must be highlighted on the label; the brand name alone isn’t enough to assess a recipe.
Take them out just before serving, once everything else on the plate is ready. When shopping, ANSES recommends buying frozen food last, carrying it in an insulated bag and putting it back in the freezer as soon as possible.