Who is this for?

Anyone making a homemade frozen dessert

You want to pair a baked sponge with a layer of ice cream, as in a yule log, without adding the ice cream to the batter before baking.

Anyone keeping an eye on sugar content

You need to tell the difference between ‘sugar-free’ and ‘no added sugar’, and check the nutritional information for the specific product.

Families mindful of allergens

You check the ingredients in both the cake and the ice cream before serving, especially if a product contains milk or nuts.

What should you check?

When making a cake, first decide whether the ice cream will be added as a layer after baking or served as an individual portion. Then check the label of the product you’ve chosen.

Criteria What to check Who it matters to
Cake assembly A recipe that adds the ice cream after baking; a tub format if you need to spread the ice cream in a mould. When making a yule log, I want to add a layer of ice cream to the cooled sponge without putting it in the oven; around 42% of consumers prioritise this method.
Sugar content The exact claim on the packaging and the ‘of which sugars’ line in the nutritional information, particularly per 100 g. I’m looking for a sugar content that meets my requirements, rather than relying on a similar-sounding claim; around 33% of consumers put this check first.
Ingredients and allergens The ingredients list, declared allergens and ‘may contain’ statements for the product you choose. If I’m serving the cake to guests who avoid certain ingredients, I also need to know what’s in the ice cream; this check is a priority for around 25% of consumers.

Mistakes to avoid

  • Confusing ‘no added sugar’ with ‘sugar-free’

    These claims don’t mean the same thing: no added sugar doesn’t rule out naturally occurring sugars.

    If total sugar content matters to you, check the exact claim and the ‘of which sugars’ line in the nutritional information.

  • Putting an ice lolly in cake batter before baking

    Lidl Recipes’ frozen yule log recipe keeps baking the sponge separate from adding the ice cream. It doesn’t call for an ice lolly to be mixed into the batter.

    Use a recipe designed for a baked cake, let the sponge cool, then add the ice cream if you’re making a frozen dessert.

  • Relying on the word ‘vegan’ alone

    According to its product listing, Magnum Vegan Amande contains almonds and 25 g of sugars per 100 g. It also states that it may contain milk, soya and other nuts.

    Check the sugar content, ingredients and allergen statements for the exact variant.

  • Assuming a category filter describes the product

    A ‘no added sugar’ filter or product category doesn’t, by itself, tell you what’s in the ice lolly you choose.

    Open the product listing, then check the packaging, format and availability at your chosen shop or collection point.

Brands and retailers to check

Magnum

Ice lollies to consider serving alongside a cake, rather than using in batter that needs to be baked.

  • The Magnum Vegan Amande product listing provides its ingredients, allergens and nutritional information.
  • This product contains 25 g of sugars per 100 g and includes almonds. It may also contain milk, soya and other nuts.

Carrefour

The retailer lists ice lollies separately from tubs of ice cream, as the two formats suit different ways of serving them with a cake.

  • The ice lolly search includes a ‘no added sugar’ filter.
  • Check the listing for each filtered product to confirm its exact claim, ingredients and local availability.

Auchan

A retailer where you can start your search in the ‘sugar-free’ and ‘no added sugar’ categories.

  • The category includes frozen products.
  • Check the listing for your chosen product to make sure it’s an ice cream in the format you want and that its claim meets your needs.

E.Leclerc DRIVE

A retailer offering ice cream and frozen desserts through its drive service.

  • The local range lets you look for a format to serve with your cake or use in a dessert assembled cold.
  • Check the product listing and the range at your chosen drive location before selecting an ice lolly based on its sugar claim.

Related Joybuy products

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Do ‘sugar-free’ and ‘no added sugar’ mean the same thing?

No. According to the Institut national de la consommation, ‘sugar-free’ means a maximum sugar content of 0.5 g per 100 g or 100 ml; ‘no added sugar’ doesn’t mean there are no total sugars. When comparing ice creams, also check the ‘of which sugars’ line in the nutritional information.

Can I put an ice lolly in cake batter before baking?

For a baked cake, follow a recipe designed for baking the batter rather than mixing an ice lolly into it. In Lidl Recipes’ frozen yule log recipe, the sponge is baked separately and the ice cream is added when the dessert is assembled cold.

What should I check if my guests need to avoid certain allergens?

As well as checking the cake, look at the ingredients, declared allergens and ‘may contain’ statements on the packaging of your chosen ice cream. Ingredients vary between products: the Magnum Vegan Amande listing, for example, mentions almonds and possible traces of milk, soya and other nuts.

Is a vegan ice lolly always sugar-free and allergen-free?

No. The Magnum Vegan Amande listing states that it contains 25 g of sugars per 100 g and includes almonds, with a ‘may contain’ warning for other allergens. A vegan label doesn’t replace checking the nutritional information and the label on the variant you buy.