Hosting a small group of food lovers
You want to offer individual portions without serving ice cream from a tub. In that case, the number of sticks in the box and their packaging matter just as much as the recipe.
Who are these desserts for?
Enjoying recipes with different textures
You’re looking for a coating, crunchy pieces or a sauce, rather than a stick made only of ice cream and chocolate. Compare the ingredients of the specific product, as recipes vary within the same brand.
Choosing with allergens in mind
You need to check the ingredients before choosing for yourself or a group. The label on each flavour is more useful than the brand name alone.
Which criteria should you prioritise?
For an evening get-together, start with the group’s tastes and how many people will have an ice cream, then check allergens and storage requirements before choosing a box.
| Criteria | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Recipe | The ice cream flavour, type of chocolate and whether the packaging mentions a sauce or crunchy pieces. | If I want to offer a dessert with clearly defined flavours and textures at a get-together, I choose the recipe first. Around 33% of consumers would put this criterion first. |
| Sharing | The number of pieces, their size and whether they’re individually wrapped. | When several people want an individual portion, I look for a box that suits the number of guests who will actually have one. Around 42% of consumers would prioritise sharing. |
| Allergens and keeping frozen | The allergens listed for each flavour and the storage instructions while you’re waiting and travelling. | If someone needs to avoid an allergen, or the ice creams will be waiting before they’re served, I prioritise the label and keeping them frozen. Around 25% of consumers would put these precautions first. |
Mistakes to avoid
-
Judging by appearance instead of the recipe
Two ice cream sticks that look similar can have different flavours, coatings and crunchy pieces. The word ‘premium’ doesn’t tell you what’s in them.
Read the product name and ingredients list for the exact product, especially if you’re looking for pistachio, caramel, biscuit, macadamia or hazelnut.
-
Forgetting about allergens when sharing
The brand and flavour alone aren’t enough to tell you whether an ice cream stick is suitable for everyone. France’s Directorate-General for Competition, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control reminds shoppers that allergenic ingredients in prepacked foods must be highlighted.
Check each wrapper before serving and keep it so guests can read the information for themselves.
-
Buying ice creams without planning how to keep them frozen
Travelling or waiting before the get-together means you’ll need a suitable way to transport frozen products. Product listings checked at Carrefour state that they should be stored at −18 °C.
Pick up the ice creams last while shopping, follow the packaging instructions and only take them with you if you can keep them frozen until serving.
-
Assuming you’ll find the same selection everywhere
The products and pack sizes offered by retailers can vary by shop and season.
Before you shop, check the recipe and number of pieces in the box you plan to buy at your local store.
Brands to consider by recipe
Magnum
Magnum France features products such as Signature La Pistache, with pistachio ice cream, chocolate and caramelised pistachio pieces, as well as Double Gold Caramel Billionaire, with salted caramel sauce and a chocolate coating.
- These two products let you choose between distinct recipes, rather than relying on the range name alone.
- For Signature La Pistache, check the packaging for milk and pistachio, as well as information about other nuts.
Häagen-Dazs
The vanilla and caramelised macadamia products listed by Carrefour and Auchan combine ice cream, macadamia pieces and milk chocolate.
- Boxes of three or four are among the products listed, so check which size suits your group.
- Check the packaging for information about milk, egg, soya and nuts in particular.
Côte d’Or
The vanilla, milk chocolate and hazelnut product listed by Carrefour comes in a box of four ice cream sticks.
- For this product, Carrefour lists 36% milk chocolate and 6% roasted hazelnuts. These figures don’t apply to the brand’s other ice creams.
- Before sharing, check the packaging for milk, soya, hazelnuts and any other potential allergens.
Ice cream sticks and mini sorbets on Joybuy
These boxes include a four-pack of Magnum red fruit ice cream sticks and three varieties of mini sorbet sticks, each in a pack of six. To choose for your get-together, compare the flavour and number of portions, then check the allergens and storage instructions on each pack.
Image unavailable
Magnum Double Red Fruits, 4 sticks, 284 g
A box to consider if four people would like a red fruit ice cream stick.
Check the allergens on the packaging and plan how to keep the ice creams frozen until serving.
Image unavailable
PopFruit Mini Sorbet Sticks mango, passion fruit and dark chocolate, 6 pieces, 282 g
The pack of six mini sticks is ideal for smaller portions if these flavours suit your group.
Check the label for allergens and storage instructions.
Image unavailable
Pop Fruit Mini Sorbet Sticks raspberry and white chocolate, 6 pieces, 282 g
This box offers six small portions combining raspberry and white chocolate.
Check the allergens in this recipe and keep the mini sticks frozen until you’re ready to serve them.
Image unavailable
Pop Fruit Mini Sorbet Sticks coconut and milk chocolate, 6 pieces, 282 g
The pack of six mini sticks could be a good choice if your group prefers coconut and milk chocolate.
Read the label for this variety to check the allergens and storage instructions.
Frequently asked questions
How many ice cream sticks should I buy for a small get-together?
Count the people who will actually have an ice cream, then compare that with the number of pieces in each box. Products listed by Auchan, Carrefour and Magnum France include boxes of three or four sticks, depending on the recipe. The total weight alone won’t tell you how many portions there are.
Can you take ice lollies to a concert?
Yes, as long as you can follow the product’s storage instructions throughout the journey and while you’re waiting. France’s Directorate-General for Competition, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control warns that a rise in temperature can speed up microbial growth. Ice cream listings at Carrefour state that products should be stored at −18 °C and not refrozen once defrosted.
How can I check allergens before sharing a box?
Read the label on each product before serving. As France’s Directorate-General for Competition, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control points out, allergenic ingredients in prepacked foods must be highlighted. Check for any ‘may contain’ information too, rather than assuming that two flavours from the same brand have the same ingredients.
Will every shop stock the same product?
Not necessarily: the products and pack sizes available can vary by retailer, shop and season. Check the recipe and number of pieces available at your local store before planning dessert for the group.