Hosts who want to serve one each
For an easy-to-serve afternoon treat or dessert, compare the weight per stick: two boxes labelled ‘mini’ don’t necessarily contain portions of the same size.
Who are these sizes for?
Families with different tastes
An assorted box lets you offer several recipes without opening multiple boxes. Check how many sticks there are of each flavour and whether all the recipes are suitable for your guests.
Anyone checking the ingredients
Before serving, check the ingredients list, allergens and any ‘may contain’ warnings on the box you’ve bought, particularly for milk, soya and nuts.
What should you look for before choosing?
For Mother’s Day, first decide whether everyone should be able to choose their own flavour. Then check the portion size and the ingredients in all the recipes you’re considering.
Chocolate assortment
Choose this: when several guests would like different recipes from the same box. Magnum France, for example, offers a six-piece assortment of Mini Classic, Almond and White Chocolate.
Bear in mind: each recipe brings extra ingredients to check. Carrefour lists milk, soya and almonds in its Carrefour Extra assortment.
One flavour
Choose this: if everyone prefers the same vanilla-and-chocolate recipe, such as Magnum Mini Classic.
Bear in mind: there isn’t a second flavour in the box. Magnum France says Mini Classic may contain several types of nuts.
Fruit-flavoured coating
Choose this: if you’d prefer a red-berry or tropical fruit coating to an entirely chocolate-based selection. E.Leclerc lists Mini Trium vanilla with fruit coating in a box of eight.
Bear in mind: a fruit-flavoured coating doesn’t mean the recipe is milk-free. Check the ingredients in the box you choose.
| What to consider | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Portion size | Compare the net weight with the number of sticks to work out the weight per stick. Don’t compare grams directly with millilitres. | If I’m serving an ice lolly to everyone after the meal, I want to know how much one stick actually contains. Individual portions would be the top priority for around 33% of consumers. |
| Choice of flavours | Check which recipes are included and how many sticks of each flavour are in the box. | When not all my guests like the same flavours, I look for a box with something for everyone. Around 25% of consumers would put this variety first. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the ingredients, highlighted allergens and ‘may contain’ warnings on the packaging you buy. | Before offering an assortment, I need to make sure its recipes are suitable for the people who’ll be there. This would be the main concern for around 25% of consumers. |
| Number of sticks and availability | Work out how many sticks you need and check they’re available at the store or for your chosen collection option. | If I’m preparing dessert for the whole group, I want to have enough sticks on the day. For around 17% of consumers, this would be the first thing to consider. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Assuming all ‘mini’ sticks are the same size
Published pack sizes vary: Carrefour states 32 g per stick for its Extra assortment; E.Leclerc’s figures work out at 37.5 g per stick for Mini Trium vanilla with fruit coating, compared with 44 g for Magnum Mini Classic listed by Auchan.
Divide the net weight by the number of sticks when both figures are shown on the box. Keep volumes in millilitres separate from weights in grams.
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Checking only your favourite flavour in an assortment
Recipes in the same box may have different ingredients. Carrefour lists milk, soya and almonds in its Extra assortment, which may also contain traces of eggs and other nuts.
Check the ingredients and ‘may contain’ warnings on the exact box before serving it. A small size or fruit-flavoured coating doesn’t mean you can skip this step.
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Planning dessert based on an online product listing alone
Availability may depend on the store or collection option. E.Leclerc advises customers to contact the store about the Mini Trium vanilla with fruit coating product.
Check availability and the number of sticks when you’re planning your shopping.
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Leaving the ice lollies out while you shop
Transport and time spent out of the freezer matter when it comes to keeping ice lollies frozen. Anses advises buying frozen foods at the end of your shop and using an insulated bag.
Head home promptly and follow the storage instructions on the pack. The Magnum listing shown by Auchan says not to refreeze a defrosted product.
Brands and ranges to know
Magnum
Magnum France lists Mini Classic sticks, as well as a box containing Classic, Almond and White Chocolate.
- The six-piece assortment lets you choose from three recipes listed by the brand.
- For Mini Classic, Magnum warns that the product may contain several types of nuts. Check the warnings on the box you’re serving.
Carrefour Extra
Carrefour lists, among other products, an assortment of eight mini sticks, each weighing 32 g.
- The stated weight per stick makes it easy to compare portion sizes with other products listed in grams.
- According to Carrefour, the assortment contains milk, soya and almonds, and may contain traces of eggs and other nuts.
Trium
The range listed by E.Leclerc includes Mini Trium vanilla with fruit coating, in a box of eight weighing 300 g.
- The fruit-flavoured coating offers a different flavour profile from the chocolate assortments mentioned here.
- Check the recipe for dairy ingredients. E.Leclerc also advises customers to confirm availability with the store.
Solero
Solero is another option to explore if you’re looking for mini sticks with fruity flavours to add variety to dessert.
- Worth considering if you’re looking for fruity flavours rather than a chocolate assortment.
- Before serving, check the weight per stick, ingredients and allergens on the box you choose.
Individually portioned ice lollies
These Joybuy products offer two ways to serve individual portions for Mother’s Day: a Magnum assortment of six mini sticks and a CAPRI-SUN box of twelve orange and cherry ice lollies. Compare the number of sticks and the weight before choosing for your group.
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Magnum Mini Classic, Almond and White Chocolate x6, 254 g
For offering several chocolate recipes in one box to guests with different tastes.
Six sticks weighing 254 g in total, or around 42.3 g per stick based on the stated weight. Check the ingredients and allergens on the packaging before serving.
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CAPRI-SUN Orange & Cherry Ice Pops x12, 444 g
For serving orange and cherry ice lollies when the number of portions matters more than a selection of chocolate recipes.
Twelve sticks weighing 444 g in total, or 37 g per stick based on the stated weight. Check the packaging for ingredients and allergen warnings.
Frequently asked questions
Is one mini ice lolly enough for dessert?
The size should suit the part you want dessert to play and the people you’re serving. For the products listed in grams by Carrefour, E.Leclerc and Auchan, the portions mentioned range from 32 g to 44 g per stick. Check the weight of the box you choose rather than relying on the word ‘mini’.
Does a fruit-flavoured coating mean the stick is milk-free?
No. The Mini Trium vanilla with fruit coating listed by E.Leclerc contains dairy ingredients. For any fruit-flavoured recipe, read the ingredients list and allergen information on the packaging before serving.
Are mini chocolate sticks suitable for someone with a nut allergy?
Don’t assume they are. Magnum France says its Mini Classic may contain several types of nuts, while the Carrefour Extra assortment contains almonds and may contain traces of other nuts. Check the warnings on the exact box before offering it to someone with an allergy.
How should I transport mini ice lollies after shopping?
Buy them at the end of your shop and use an insulated bag, as Anses advises for frozen foods. Then follow the storage instructions on the pack, and don’t refreeze a defrosted product if the packaging says not to.
Is an online product listing enough to plan dessert?
Before relying on a particular product, check its availability at your store or for your chosen collection option. E.Leclerc advises customers to contact the store to check availability of Mini Trium vanilla with fruit coating.