Fans of cocoa toppings
If you’d rather use chocolate than aniseed on a festival treat, you can compare the stated minimum cocoa solids in the De Ruijter varieties reviewed: 32%, 43% and 52%, according to Albert Heijn product information.
Who is this choice relevant to?
People making festival treats
If you’re planning to serve rusks, cupcakes or other treats with sprinkles, it helps to plan how you’ll prepare them and how much you’ll need. Also check how the pack you choose should be stored.
Visitors who need to check allergens
For a pre-packed topping, you can read the current label. If a festival treat isn’t packaged, ask for allergen information covering the whole item, not just the sprinkles.
What should you look for when choosing?
First, choose between aniseed sprinkles and chocolate sprinkles. Then decide how you’ll serve the treat and which ingredients you need to check.
| What to consider | What to look for | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Aniseed or cocoa | Check whether you’re looking at Gestampte Muisjes or chocolate sprinkles. For the De Ruijter dark chocolate sprinkles reviewed, Albert Heijn lists minimum cocoa solids of 32%, 43% or 52%, depending on the variety. | If I mainly want a chocolate topping, aniseed sprinkles don’t fit my flavour plan. Around 50% of consumers are said to prioritise choosing cocoa. |
| Preparation and quantity | Decide whether you’ll add the sprinkles on the day or prepare the treats in advance; match the net weight to the number of portions. | If I’m making a batch of treats in advance, I want to bring enough sprinkles without having lots left over. This practical consideration is said to be the main concern for around 30% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the label on the exact product. For unpackaged treats, ask about allergens in the whole preparation. | If I need to avoid certain ingredients or allergens, I want to know what’s in the treat before eating it. For around 20% of consumers, this check is said to be the top priority. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming ‘dark’ means a type of Gestampte Muisjes
The Gestampte Muisjes reviewed are sugared aniseed seeds, not chocolate sprinkles. They have a different flavour base from dark chocolate sprinkles.
Choose the type of sprinkles you want first. Then compare the varieties within that category.
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Assuming a higher cocoa percentage means better nutritional value
The percentage of cocoa solids doesn’t tell you the full nutritional value. The Voedingscentrum also points out that chocolate contains saturated fat and calories.
Use the cocoa percentage to distinguish between products, and check the nutritional information per 100 g on the packaging.
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Checking allergens in the sprinkles alone
An unpackaged festival treat may contain more ingredients than just the topping. In the Netherlands, the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says allergen information for unpackaged foods must be provided to consumers in another way.
Before buying, ask about allergens in the whole treat. For a pre-packed product, read the current label.
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Choosing a large pack without planning portions
The packs reviewed have different net weights. A larger pack is only practical if it suits the number of treats you’re making.
Work out how many treats you’ll make and follow the storage instructions and use-by date on the packaging for any leftovers.
If you only use part of a pack, you’ll also need suitable storage space for what’s left after the festival.
A relevant brand to consider
De Ruijter
The product range reviewed includes both Gestampte Muisjes with aniseed and separate varieties of dark chocolate sprinkles.
- For the dark varieties reviewed, Albert Heijn lists minimum cocoa solids of 32%, 43% and 52%. These figures help distinguish between the varieties.
- Gestampte Muisjes aren’t a cocoa product, so they’re not a chocolate option. If you’re looking for chocolate, choose a chocolate-sprinkle variety and check the ingredients and allergens on that specific pack.
Chocolate sprinkles on Joybuy
These products suit anyone choosing chocolate sprinkles as a festival topping. Gestampte Muisjes are a separate option if you specifically want an aniseed flavour.
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De Ruijter Intense Dark Chocolate Sprinkles, 200 g
Chocolate sprinkles for finishing festival treats in advance or just before serving. The pack contains 200 g. Check the current label for cocoa content and allergen information before choosing.
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g'woon Dark Chocolate Sprinkles, 400 g
If you’re making several treats and can use the whole pack, consider this 400 g pack of dark chocolate sprinkles. Check the label for cocoa content, allergens and storage instructions.
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De Ruijter Hail Chocolate Pure, 390 g
This 390 g pack of dark chocolate sprinkles is an option if you need sprinkles for several treats. If you want to choose based on cocoa intensity, compare the cocoa percentage on the current packaging first. Check the allergen information too.
Frequently asked questions
Are Gestampte Muisjes a type of dark chocolate?
No. Albert Heijn describes De Ruijter Gestampte Muisjes as crushed sugared aniseed seeds; Jumbo’s ingredient information lists sugar, aniseed and wheat starch, among other ingredients. For a chocolate topping, look for chocolate sprinkles.
Which De Ruijter chocolate sprinkles reviewed have the highest cocoa content?
Of the three varieties reviewed, De Ruijter Specials hagelslag intens puur lists the highest proportion of cocoa solids, at a minimum of 52%. According to Albert Heijn product information, Royaal chocoladehagel extra puur lists a minimum of 43%, while Chocoladehagel puur lists a minimum of 32%. Check the variety on the pack you buy.
How do I check allergens in a festival treat?
For a pre-packed product, read the current label. For an unpackaged treat, ask about allergens in the whole preparation. Jumbo lists wheat starch in the ingredients of the Gestampte Muisjes reviewed; don’t assume another topping has the same ingredients.
How should I store the sprinkles before the festival?
Follow the instructions on the packaging you’re using. The product information reviewed says to store Gestampte Muisjes in a dry place and dark chocolate sprinkles in a cool, dry place. Check the best-before date too.