For tea and biscuits
If you want the ice cream to be an accompaniment, compare stick sizes and multipacks. Magnum, for example, offers 55 ml Mini Classic sticks, while Aldi has a MUCCI mini stick assortment.
Who are these sizes for?
For ice cream served as a dessert
A chocolate coating, a sauce or a combination such as caramel and pistachio can help you choose a more indulgent recipe. Check the exact flavour and portion size rather than relying on the range name alone.
For checking ingredients
If certain ingredients matter to your choice, read the ingredients list, allergen information and nutritional details for each product. Milk and nut statements can vary from one stick to another.
What should you look for before choosing?
If you’re serving ice cream with tea and biscuits, first decide what part you want it to play in your break. Then compare portion sizes, flavours and the label on the box you’re considering.
| What to consider | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Indulgent recipe | Flavour, coating, sauce and stick size; the word “premium” doesn’t describe any of these. | If I want the ice cream to be the main dessert, I focus on the recipe and its textures. Around 33% of consumers prioritise this kind of indulgence. |
| Individual portion | Number of sticks, weight or volume per stick, and nutritional values per portion where these are shown on the packaging. | When biscuits are already being served, I prefer to choose an ice cream size that suits me. Portion size comes first for around 27% of consumers. |
| Variety to share | Flavours in the assortment, number of sticks and size of each one. | When several people are having tea, I look for flavours that give everyone a choice. Variety is the priority for around 20% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Ingredients list and “may contain” statements for each recipe; nutritional information if it matters to your choice. | If I need to avoid an ingredient, the flavour alone isn’t enough to judge a box. Ingredients are the top consideration for around 20% of consumers. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Assuming “luxury” means a measurable difference
These terms describe a brand’s or range’s positioning, not a portion size, recipe or objectively superior quality.
Compare two specific products: stick size, ingredients, flavour and type of coating.
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Going by the number of sticks alone
A box containing several sticks doesn’t tell you whether each one is the right size to have with biscuits.
Check the total weight or volume and, where stated, the weight or volume of each stick.
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Guessing allergens from the flavour
Ingredient and trace statements vary between recipes. For example, Magnum lists milk for the Mini Classic and Mint products shown on its website, with nut statements to check for each one.
Read the ingredients and allergen information on the packaging of the product you buy, including any “may contain” statements.
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Letting your ice creams warm up after shopping
Keeping them cold matters, even if you’re planning to serve the sticks later.
The DGCCRF recommends keeping transport time to a minimum, preferably using an insulated bag, and never refreezing food that has defrosted. Follow the storage instructions on the packaging.
Brands and ranges to know
Magnum
The brand offers Classic, Mini, Double and Signature sticks, with a range of chocolate-based recipes.
- The Mini Classic product details specify a 55 ml portion and provide nutritional information and allergen statements for this product.
- The ingredients in one flavour don’t necessarily apply to others: check the milk and nut statements on the box you choose.
Carrefour Sensation
Carrefour’s range includes sticks in flavours such as double chocolate, double salted caramel and vanilla-macadamia.
- These flavours make it easy to compare several indulgent combinations without sticking to just one brand.
- Check the flavour and ingredients of the product available at your chosen store or for collection.
MUCCI
Aldi France offers mini sticks and double-coated sticks under the MUCCI brand.
- Aldi’s 12-piece mini stick assortment includes several chocolate varieties.
- In-store availability can change; Aldi notes that a separate almond product was no longer available on its product page.
Lidl / Bon Gelati
Lidl sells ice cream and ice lolly sticks in its supermarket range, including products under the Bon Gelati brand.
- The products listed give you flavours to compare for a dessert break.
- Some offers are available for specific dates, so check what’s on sale at your store.
E.Leclerc / Marque Repère
The Marque Repère frozen dessert range includes TRIUM vanilla, milk chocolate and almond sticks.
- The box of four offers another option to compare for individual portions.
- Before choosing a box, check the recipe and allergen information on the product page or packaging for the exact product.
Ice lolly sticks available on Joybuy
These products include chocolate, biscuit and nut-based recipes to enjoy with tea and biscuits. Compare their size before choosing between an accompaniment and an ice cream served as a dessert.
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MIKO Donut Chocolate & Cookies, 4 × 62 ml
Worth considering if you fancy a chocolate and biscuit recipe with your tea; if you’re already serving biscuits, this combination could make the ice cream the main dessert.
The box contains four 62 ml sticks. Check the allergen information on the packaging if you need to avoid certain ingredients.
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POPELINO Sicilian Pistache, white chocolate coating, 4 × 78 g
An option to consider if you’re looking for a pistachio stick rather than a chocolate and biscuit recipe to have with tea.
The box contains four sticks, weighing 312 g in total. Check the allergen information on the box before serving this recipe to anyone with relevant allergies.
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Magnum White Chocolate Almond, 4 × 100 ml
Worth comparing if you’d like white chocolate and almonds together in an ice cream to enjoy with tea.
The box contains four 100 ml sticks. As the recipe contains almonds, checking the label is essential for anyone with this allergy.
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MAGNUM Double Chocolate, 4 sticks, 284 g
Consider this if you want the chocolate recipe to take centre stage as dessert, rather than simply accompany the biscuits.
The box contains four sticks, weighing 284 g in total. To compare portions and ingredients, check the nutritional information and allergens on the packaging.
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MAGNUM Double Hazelnut, 4 sticks, 276 g
An option if you prefer a chocolate and hazelnut recipe for a break where the ice cream is the dessert.
The box contains four sticks, weighing 276 g in total. Hazelnuts are part of the recipe, so check all the allergen information and per-portion details on the packaging.
Frequently asked questions
Mini stick or standard size with tea and biscuits?
Start by comparing the size of each stick: a mini size may work well if the ice cream is accompanying biscuits, while a standard size may feel more like a dessert. Check the weight or volume per stick, not just the number in the box.
Can you rely on the Magnum flavour to tell you about allergens?
No: check the exact product and its packaging. Magnum’s product pages for Mini Classic and Mint list milk and include statements about nuts; check the ingredients and possible traces for the box you buy.
How should you transport ice lolly sticks after buying them?
Keep the time before putting them in the freezer to a minimum. The DGCCRF recommends using an insulated bag where possible, following the temperature stated on the label and never refreezing food that has defrosted.
Will a flavour spotted at Aldi or Lidl be available when I visit?
Check availability at your store before setting off. Aldi has reported that one of its MUCCI almond sticks is no longer available, while some Lidl pages show offers that are available for specific dates.