Hosts feeding a larger family group
A 1.8–2 litre tub gives a larger table more dessert to share, especially if it accompanies another pudding. Check whether one flavour will suit everyone before choosing a single large pack.
Who is choosing a tub?
Hosts offering a choice of flavours
Two 900ml–1 litre tubs let guests choose between flavours without relying on one large tub. Allow freezer space for both and consider what else is on the dessert table.
Hosts catering for dietary or allergen needs
Choose the exact product by its current ingredients and allergen declaration, not its flavour name. The Food Standards Agency says allergens must be emphasised in the ingredients list of prepacked food and notes that ice cream can contain nuts.
What should you check?
Start with the number of people and the other desserts being served, then choose the volume and flavours that fit the meal.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Serving volume | Check the stated tub volume and whether it will be the only dessert. Tesco listings include 1.8–2 litre tubs, 900ml tubs and smaller formats; the amount to serve each guest is your decision. | I’m feeding a larger group and serving another pudding, so one large tub could work. For a smaller lunch, I would rather avoid choosing volume alone as the deciding factor. |
| Flavour choice | Decide whether one flavour suits the table or whether two 900ml–1 litre tubs would be more useful. Check that both fit in the freezer. | Guests may want different flavours, so I’d prefer two tubs to a single larger one. |
| Smaller tubs | Check whether a 420–500ml tub is the main dessert or an extra option. Tesco and Waitrose list tubs in this size range, but the pack volume alone cannot determine how many portions you will serve. | A distinct extra flavour appeals to me; I wouldn’t rely on one small tub for a larger table. |
| Dietary suitability | Check the exact product’s dietary description, full ingredients and emphasised allergens. A fruit flavour does not establish that a dessert is dairy-free. | Someone at lunch needs a suitable alternative, so I’ll check every tub they might be served rather than assume a flavour meets their requirements. |
| Frozen storage | Make space before shopping and follow the pack’s storage and handling instructions if the dessert softens. Food Standards Agency evidence notes increased spoilage and foodborne-illness risks when defrosted food is subsequently kept at significantly higher temperatures. | I need to keep the tubs frozen until lunch and know what the pack says about handling them before serving. |
Common buying mistakes
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Choosing one small tub for a large lunch
A 420–500ml tub offers less to share than the larger formats listed by Tesco and Waitrose. It may not suit the meal if it is the only dessert.
Decide whether it is an extra flavour or the main dessert. For a larger table, consider serving it alongside a larger tub or another pudding.
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Assuming similar tubs contain similar amounts
The reviewed retailer listings span small tubs through to 2-litre packs. Packaging appearance alone does not tell you how much dessert is inside.
Read the volume on each pack, then consider the number of guests and whether you are buying more than one flavour.
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Judging dietary suitability by flavour
Dessert recipes can include milk, nuts or biscuit pieces even when those ingredients are not obvious from the flavour name. The Food Standards Agency identifies nuts as an ingredient that can occur in ice cream.
Ask guests about their requirements and check the current ingredients and emphasised allergens on every tub you plan to serve.
Relevant brands and retailers
These ranges illustrate different dessert formats; check the exact product when deciding what to serve.
Tesco
Tesco’s listed range includes large soft-scoop tubs, 900ml tubs, smaller ice creams and a labelled vegan option.
- The listed formats give hosts several ways to combine volume and flavour choice.
- Tesco advises customers to read the product label rather than rely solely on website information.
Waitrose
Waitrose listings include 2-litre soft scoop and smaller 480–500ml luxury tubs.
- The listed sizes can serve different roles, from a larger shared tub to an additional flavour.
- Check the pack size and local product selection when planning the meal.
M&S
M&S describes frozen dessert centrepieces as well as a separate range of ice-cream tubs.
- A centrepiece or tart may suit hosts who want a different sweet course from a sharing tub.
- Check the exact dessert’s pack size, ingredients and allergens before choosing it for guests.
Häagen-Dazs
Tesco and Waitrose listings show smaller Häagen-Dazs tubs that could provide an additional flavour for lunch.
- Listed flavours include options with coffee or dessert-style pieces and sauces.
- Ingredients differ by flavour, so check the exact tub for guest preferences and allergens.
Frozen dessert tubs on Joybuy
These Joybuy tubs cover standard sharing sizes and smaller additional flavours for Easter lunch. Check the exact pack if you need a particular dietary option.
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Windy Bank Strawberries & Cream Tub 900ml
This 900ml strawberry-and-cream tub could be one of two flavours for a medium-sized lunch. Its description identifies milk and possible traces of nuts and peanuts; it also carries an E124 and E102 warning concerning activity and attention in children. Check the current pack before serving.
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Carte D'Or Indulgent Chocolate Ice Cream Dessert 900ml
The 900ml format offers a chocolate choice for a medium-sized lunch or a table with two flavours. The description identifies milk and possible traces of soya, gluten and nuts; check the current pack against guests’ requirements.
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Kulfi Ice Original Malai Tub 1L
This 1L kulfi tub offers a cardamom-and-saffron flavour for a medium lunch or a varied dessert table. Its description identifies milk as an allergen and gives frozen-storage instructions; check the current label before serving.
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XO ICE Mango and Coconut Gelato 473ml
At 473ml, this mango-and-coconut gelato is a smaller option rather than a sole tub for a larger lunch. Its description calls it plant-based and dairy-free, but says it is not suitable for people with a coconut allergy and may contain traces of eggs, peanuts, sesame and tree nuts. Check the current label for each guest’s requirements.
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Häagen-Dazs Coffee Ice Cream 460ml
This 460ml coffee ice cream could be an additional flavour or a dessert for a small lunch. Its description identifies milk, eggs and naturally occurring caffeine; check the current pack where those details matter to guests.
Questions before serving
What size frozen dessert tub should I buy for Easter Sunday lunch?
Consider a 1.8–2 litre tub for a larger table, particularly if another pudding is being served and one flavour suits the guests. Two 900ml–1 litre tubs offer more choice; a 420–500ml tub is better considered for a small group or as an additional flavour.
Will one large tub cover everyone’s needs?
Not necessarily: one large tub provides a single choice and may not suit every guest’s dietary requirements. Ask guests what they need, then consider a separate, appropriately labelled tub if required.
How should I check allergens in a frozen dessert?
Read the full ingredients list and its emphasised allergens on the current pack. The Food Standards Agency says prepacked foods must emphasise allergens in that list and notes that nuts can occur in ice cream and desserts; a flavour name is not an allergen check.
Does a fruit flavour mean a dessert is dairy-free?
No. Check the exact product’s current dietary description and ingredients rather than inferring suitability from the flavour. Tesco, for example, lists Swedish Glace Vanilla 750ml as non-dairy and vegan, but that description does not apply to other tubs.
What if a frozen dessert softens before lunch?
Follow the storage and handling instructions on that product’s pack. Food Standards Agency evidence notes that defrosting frozen food and subsequently storing it at significantly higher temperatures can increase spoilage and foodborne-illness risks.