Who are these options for?

Multipack shoppers who care about portion sizes

You want ready-to-serve ice lollies and compare the total weight, number of lollies and their size to see how much each box contains.

People checking allergens and ingredients

You need to check the exact product: the Magnum Double Chocolate listing mentions milk and possible traces of nuts; Magnum Vegan Almond contains almonds and may contain milk, soya and other nuts.

People who want to make ice lollies at home

If you want to make ice lollies rather than serve frozen ones, a lolly mould is the right choice. It isn’t a cake-baking mould.

What to check before you buy

Ready-to-serve ice lollies

Choose these if: you want to serve a frozen dessert with your cake without making the lollies yourself.

Bear in mind: the lollies need to stay frozen on the way home and aren’t for baking a cake.

Moulds for homemade ice lollies

Choose these if: you want to make your own ice lollies for dessert.

Bear in mind: you’ll need ingredients and time for freezing; these moulds aren’t for baking a cake.

What to consider What to check Who is this for?
Number of portions Compare the total weight, number of lollies and size across boxes of ice lollies. If I’m serving several people, I want to know how many lollies are actually in the box. Around 50% of shoppers concerned would put the number of portions at the top of their list.
Ingredients and allergens Check the ingredients and allergen information on the packaging of the product you’re buying, including any ‘may contain’ warnings. If I need to avoid certain ingredients, the range name alone isn’t enough to choose a product. Around 30% of shoppers concerned would make dietary suitability their priority.
Intended use Decide whether you want to serve a frozen dessert, make ice lollies at home or bake a cake. Before choosing, I want to tell the difference between a ready-to-serve lolly, a tool for making one and a mould for baking a cake. Around 20% of shoppers concerned would make this distinction their main priority.

Mistakes to avoid

  • Buying ice lollies to bake a cake

    The Carrefour and Auchan products mentioned are ready-to-eat frozen desserts, not baking utensils or ingredients.

    Be clear about whether you want to serve ice cream with the cake, make ice lollies at home or bake a cake.

  • Comparing boxes without checking the portions

    The weight, number of lollies and size can vary from one box of ice lollies to another.

    Check all three details to compare how many you’ll be able to serve.

  • Assuming a plant-based option is suitable for every allergy

    Magnum Vegan Almond contains almonds and carries warnings that it may contain milk, soya and other nuts.

    Check the ingredients and allergen information on the packaging of the product you’re buying.

  • Letting the lollies warm up on the way home

    The DGCCRF points out that a rise in temperature can increase food-related risks. Anses advises keeping the journey short and using an insulated bag.

    Pick up frozen food at the end of your shop and put it in the freezer as soon as you get home.

Brands and ranges to consider

Magnum

The brand offers chocolate-coated lollies, including a Vegan Almond option.

  • Magnum describes Vegan Almond as a plant-based ice cream with almonds.
  • This product may contain milk, soya and other nuts. Carrefour’s Double Chocolate listing mentions milk and possible traces of nuts, so check each product separately.

AUCHAN

The mini ice lolly selection reviewed contains 8 lollies, with a total weight of 258 g.

  • The box contains a selection of small chocolate-coated lollies.
  • The ingredients include milk, lactose and milk proteins, as well as almonds or soya depending on the flavour. Check the label before choosing.

Fackelmann

A kitchenware option for making ice lollies at home, rather than ready-to-eat frozen lollies.

  • The set listed by E.Leclerc includes five plastic ice lolly moulds.
  • These moulds are neither ready-to-serve frozen desserts nor moulds for baking a cake.

Joybuy products

Related products will be available soon.

Frequently asked questions

Can you use ice lollies to bake a cake?

The ice lollies featured by Carrefour and Auchan are ready-to-eat frozen desserts, not products for baking a cake. To make ice lollies at home, look for lolly moulds; to bake a cake, choose suitable ingredients and baking utensils.

How should you transport ice lollies after buying them?

Pick them up at the end of your shop, carry them in an insulated bag and keep the journey home as short as possible before putting them in the freezer. Anses recommends these precautions to maintain the cold chain.

Is a plant-based lolly automatically free from allergens?

No. Magnum Vegan Almond contains almonds and may contain milk, soya and other nuts. Check the allergen information on the packaging of the product you’re buying.