Use loose aniseed sprinkles as advent calendar fillers if you can measure out and seal a portion for each compartment. Try a portion first to check that it fits. If you want one ready-made, individually wrapped treat for each compartment, look for a product in that format rather than relying on the word ‘mini’. With aniseed sprinkles, check the ingredients and allergens on the pack you buy.
You want to divide loose aniseed sprinkles between the days of your calendar. Test a portion first to check that there’s enough room in the compartment and that it closes properly. A large pack won’t automatically give you individually portioned mini treats.
You want to use aniseed sprinkles on biscuits, cupcakes or cakes. The main choice is between whole sprinkles and a finer topping, as well as how you’ll package the decorated treat.
You’re filling a calendar for someone with allergies or who needs to limit sweet treats. Read the current packaging: the aniseed sprinkle varieties described here contain wheat. For a child’s calendar, you can also decide in advance how often you want to include sweets.
First decide whether the aniseed sprinkles will be a topping or the contents of a compartment in their own right. If you’re using loose sprinkles as a filler, test the portion and closure before filling the whole calendar.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Portion size and fit | Fill one compartment with a portion you’ve measured out yourself and check that it closes without spilling. Packs of 270 g, 300 g or 330 g aren’t individual portions for each day. | If I want to put loose aniseed sprinkles in a compartment, I need to know that my portion will fit and stay sealed inside. For around 36% of consumers, portion size and fit would be the main concern. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Check the ingredients and allergens on the exact pack. For example, Jumbo lists wheat starch in De Ruijter Feest Muisjes. | When I’m giving treats to other people, I want to know what’s in them before filling the calendar. For around 29% of consumers, checking allergens would be the most important purchase consideration. |
| Decoration | Choose between whole aniseed sprinkles and a finer topping, depending on what you’re decorating. Also check whether the decoration will stay in place when you package the treat. | For homemade treats, I want to use aniseed sprinkles as a visible finishing touch, rather than as a sweet on their own. For around 21% of consumers, decoration would be the main reason for choosing them. |
| Amount of sugar | Decide in advance how many compartments you want to fill with edible treats and how many aniseed sprinkles you’ll use at a time. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends giving babies and toddlers sweets occasionally rather than every day. | When I’m putting together a calendar for young children, I want to choose carefully how often it contains sweets. For around 14% of consumers, the amount of sugar would be the main consideration. |
You’ll need to portion loose aniseed sprinkles yourself. Without testing a portion first, you won’t know whether it will fit in the calendar compartment and stay sealed inside.
Measure out one portion, fill a compartment and test the closure before preparing all the portions.
Measuring out and sealing individual portions takes time and packaging materials.
The aniseed sprinkle varieties described here contain wheat. A festive colour tells you nothing about the ingredients in the variety you’re buying.
Check the ingredients and allergens on the pack, especially if you’re giving the calendar to someone else.
When making a calendar for babies or toddlers, you can also choose how often to include sweet treats. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends giving sweets once a week rather than every day.
Decide which compartments will contain sweets and what you’d like to put in the others before you start filling the calendar.
De Ruijter offers whole aniseed sprinkles and finer toppings that can be used on bread or as decoration. For this choice, the texture of the sprinkles matters more than their colour alone.
These aniseed sprinkles are an option if you want to measure out small portions yourself or decorate advent treats. Try sealing a portion in one calendar compartment before preparing any more.
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Worth considering if you want to make your own portions for compartments that seal; check the fit first.
330 g pack. Check the current packaging for ingredients and allergens, particularly wheat and gluten.
A pack of loose aniseed sprinkles isn’t made up of individually wrapped portions for each day. If you want to put them in compartments, measure out a portion yourself and check that the compartment closes properly.
Keep them dry and seal the pack properly after use. For De Ruijter Pink Muisjes, Joybuy also recommends storing them in a cool place away from sunlight, heat and moisture. Follow the storage and best-before information on your pack.
Don’t assume they’re gluten-free: wheat is listed for the varieties described here. Always check the current ingredients and allergen information on the pack for the exact variety you’re buying.
Choose which compartments will contain sweets instead of automatically adding aniseed sprinkles every day. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends giving babies and toddlers sweets once a week rather than every day.
