Cake lovers keeping an eye on sugar
To find out how much sugar a topping adds, compare the nutritional information per 100 g with the amount you use. The Dutch Nutrition Centre lists 11.9 g of sugar for a 15 g portion of aniseed sprinkles.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Home bakers decorating cakes
For a visible layer of individual sprinkles, consider whole aniseed sprinkles; crushed sprinkles are better for a finer finish. PLUS also describes them as decorations for cupcakes, cakes and pastries.
Shoppers checking for allergens
If you need to avoid wheat or gluten, check the current packaging before using aniseed sprinkles on a cake for yourself or others. The blue-and-white and pink-and-white De Ruijter varieties at PLUS list wheat and cereals containing gluten.
What should you look for when choosing?
First, check that the ingredients and allergen information are suitable. If your aim is to choose a lower-sugar option, compare the nutritional information and the basis for any claim. Then choose the shape and colour to suit your cake.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Less sugar | Compare ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g and, if there’s a claim, check the stated basis for comparison. | If I’m specifically looking for a lower-sugar topping, I want to be able to compare products rather than judge by the name. For around 40% of consumers, a demonstrable reduction is the top priority. |
| Shape of the topping | Choose between whole and crushed aniseed sprinkles to suit the decoration you want. | On my cake, I either want to see individual sprinkles or create a finer finish. For around 30% of consumers, this decorative effect is the main consideration. |
| Aniseed and colour | Consider the shape and colour; check the sugar content separately in the nutritional information. | For a celebration cake, I’m mainly looking for the familiar aniseed flavour and a colour to suit the occasion. Around 20% of consumers give this the highest priority. |
| Wheat and gluten | Read the current ingredients and allergen information on the packaging. | If wheat or gluten needs to be avoided, the topping must be suitable, whatever it looks like. For around 10% of consumers, this check is decisive. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming a different colour means less sugar
According to PLUS, both the blue-and-white and pink-and-white De Ruijter aniseed sprinkles contain 79 g of sugars per 100 g. So there’s no difference in the stated sugar content between these two varieties.
If you’re comparing sugar content, check the ‘of which sugars’ line on the same basis rather than judging by the colour of the sprinkles.
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Calling a small portion low in sugar
Using fewer aniseed sprinkles changes how much you eat, but not the composition per 100 g. The Dutch Nutrition Centre lists 11.9 g of sugar for a 15 g portion.
Work out how much you’ll actually sprinkle over the cake, and keep portion size separate from product claims.
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Overlooking allergens because the sprinkles are only decoration
Even a light topping can contain ingredients that matter to your guests. The blue-and-white and pink-and-white varieties mentioned here list wheat and cereals containing gluten.
Read the allergen information on the current packaging before using the sprinkles.
Brands and retailers to consider
De Ruijter
De Ruijter offers whole blue-and-white and pink-and-white aniseed sprinkles, as well as crushed sprinkles that can be used to decorate baked goods.
- PLUS describes the crushed sprinkles as suitable for decorating cupcakes, cakes and pastries.
- According to PLUS, both whole colour varieties mentioned contain 79 g of sugars per 100 g and list wheat and cereals containing gluten.
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn’s aniseed sprinkles category includes celebration sprinkles, crushed sprinkles and De Ruijter’s pink-and-white sprinkles.
- The category makes it easy to compare shapes and colours.
- Albert Heijn advises shoppers to read the packaging, as ingredients and nutritional information may change.
PLUS
PLUS has product pages for De Ruijter’s blue-and-white, pink-and-white and crushed aniseed sprinkles.
- The product information covers ingredients and uses. For the two whole colour varieties, PLUS lists the nutritional information per 100 g.
- Check the nutritional information and the comparison for the specific product when assessing any claim about lower sugar.
Related Joybuy products
Related products coming soon.
Frequently asked questions
Are the regular aniseed sprinkles mentioned here a lower-sugar option?
Not based on their sugar content compared with one another: according to PLUS, both the blue-and-white and pink-and-white De Ruijter sprinkles contain 79 g of sugars per 100 g. The Dutch Nutrition Centre also lists 11.9 g of sugar for a 15 g portion. Using a smaller amount for sprinkling doesn’t change the product’s composition.
What should I look for in aniseed sprinkles claiming to contain less sugar?
Check which products are being compared, then read the stated sugar content for both on the same basis. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that nutrition claims must comply with European rules; don’t take such a claim as evidence of a health benefit.
Should I choose whole or crushed aniseed sprinkles for cake?
Choose whole sprinkles if you want individual pieces as decoration, or crushed sprinkles for a finer finish. PLUS suggests using them on cakes, cupcakes and other baked goods; the shape alone doesn’t indicate a lower sugar content.
Can I use the aniseed sprinkles mentioned here if I need to avoid gluten?
Check the packaging for the specific product first: the blue-and-white and pink-and-white De Ruijter sprinkles at PLUS list wheat and cereals containing gluten. Even if you’ve bought the product before, don’t rely solely on what you remember from the label.