For a coffee morning where ice cream accompanies other refreshments, start with a straightforward flavour in a tub large enough for the guests you expect. A smaller mix-in tub can provide a second choice for a known preference; check each pack’s ingredients and storage instructions before serving, particularly if someone needs a dairy-free option.
If ice cream will accompany cake or another dessert, start by estimating how much you will serve. Tesco Groceries lists soft-scoop tubs of up to 2L alongside smaller vanilla tubs, giving you different pack sizes to consider.
A smaller tub with cookie dough or another mix-in can be a second flavour when guests have a known preference. Check its pack size before relying on it as the only tub for the gathering.
Check the exact pack against each guest’s requirement. The Swedish Glace Smooth Vanilla product information identifies soya despite describing the tub as dairy-free, while the cited Ben & Jerry’s and Magnum products list other allergens.
Work out the quantity and flavour choices first, then check labels and freezer space for the tubs you plan to serve.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Tub size | Estimate the guests and portions you expect. Compare stated volumes: Tesco Groceries lists a 2L soft-scoop tub, a 900ml vanilla tub and smaller branded tubs. | Ice cream is going alongside other food, so I want enough for the guests who choose it without relying on a small tub for everyone. |
| Flavour | Check whether the tub is plain vanilla or includes cookies, dough, caramel or chocolate pieces. Read the exact product name and ingredients. | For guests whose preferences I do not know, I would start with a straightforward flavour and add a mix-in tub only if it offers a useful second choice. |
| Dietary suitability | Read the current pack’s ingredient, allergen and may-contain statements. Check a dairy-free alternative for other allergens too: Swedish Glace Smooth Vanilla lists soya. | If a guest has a specific requirement, I need to check their proposed tub against it and keep the alternative and serving spoon separate where appropriate. |
| Frozen storage | Check freezer space and the selected pack’s instructions. M&S specifies frozen storage at -18°C for Cornish Soft Scoop Vanilla; Swedish Glace specifies -18°C or below and says not to refreeze if thawed. | A larger tub is useful only if I can keep it frozen before serving and follow its instructions afterwards. |
The Swedish Glace Smooth Vanilla product information identifies soya, even though it describes the ice cream as dairy-free.
Ask about the guest’s specific requirement, check the current pack and use a separate serving spoon where appropriate.
Cookies, dough and chocolate pieces make for a more specific flavour choice. Ben & Jerry’s Cookie Dough S’wich Up and Magnum Double Salted Caramel also list several allergens or may-contain ingredients.
Consider a straightforward main flavour, with a mix-in tub as a second option when it matches a known preference.
A multi-litre tub needs suitable frozen storage before the coffee morning. M&S and Swedish Glace provide product-specific freezing and no-refreezing instructions.
Check freezer space before choosing the size, and follow the selected pack’s storage instructions.
These examples illustrate pack sizes, flavours and label details to check; they do not describe every product from each brand.
Tesco Groceries lists own-label soft-scoop and vanilla tubs in several sizes relevant to group serving.
M&S describes its 785g Cornish Soft Scoop Vanilla as made with Cornish milk and double cream.
The brand’s Cookie Dough S’wich Up tub is a mix-in option with cookies, cookie dough chunks and a cookie swirl.
Häagen-Dazs describes its Vanilla tub as using Madagascan vanilla flavouring, cream, milk, sugar and eggs.
Magnum Double Salted Caramel 440ml combines vanilla ice cream, salted caramel sauce and chocolate shell and shards.
This 900ml vanilla tub is an option to consider for a coffee morning where you want a straightforward flavour. Check whether its size covers the portions you expect.
Image unavailable
The 900ml vanilla tub is a moderate-size option for serving ice cream alongside other food. Check the number of portions you need, and read the exact pack’s allergen and storage instructions before serving.
Estimate how many guests are likely to have ice cream and the portions you intend to serve alongside other food. Tesco Groceries lists examples ranging from smaller branded tubs to 900ml vanilla and 2L soft-scoop tubs; choose a size you can also store correctly.
No. The Swedish Glace Smooth Vanilla product information describes it as dairy-free but identifies soya. Check the exact current pack against the guest’s specific allergen requirement.
Read the exact pack’s ingredients, allergen and may-contain statements before serving. Ben & Jerry’s Cookie Dough S’wich Up lists milk, wheat, egg and soya and may contain almond and hazelnut; Magnum Double Salted Caramel lists milk and soya and may contain wheat, barley, oat and nuts.
Follow each pack’s frozen-storage instructions and check that it fits in your freezer. M&S specifies -18°C for Cornish Soft Scoop Vanilla and says not to refreeze it; the Swedish Glace product information specifies -18°C or below and says not to refreeze if thawed.