Bakers of Frisian pepernoten
You’re following a recipe that deliberately uses crushed aniseed sprinkles for their aniseed flavour, rather than simply adding any sweet topping.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Bakers who are also bringing a gift
You need an ingredient for baking and would also like to give someone a chocolate gift. These purchases serve different purposes.
Shoppers checking for allergens
You’re buying for yourself or someone else and want to check the ingredients and allergen information on the chosen packaging before the product is eaten.
What should you consider when choosing?
Start with the pepernoten recipe: does it call for crushed aniseed sprinkles or another aniseed ingredient? Choose a box of chocolates separately if you’d also like to bring a gift.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Aniseed in the recipe | Check whether your recipe specifies crushed aniseed sprinkles and how much it calls for. | If I’m baking Frisian pepernoten from a recipe, I want to use the specified aniseed ingredient rather than a random topping. For around 42% of consumers, following the recipe comes first. |
| A separate gift | Check the contents and type of packaging of the box of chocolates you want to give. | I’m looking for something to give as well as my baking ingredients, not a substitute for an ingredient in the dough. Around 33% of consumers prioritise a separate gift. |
| Label and allergens | Check the ingredients, allergen information and best-before date on the packaging you choose. | If someone else will be eating the product, I want to know exactly what’s in that particular pack. For around 25% of consumers, checking the label is the top priority. |
Common mistakes
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Thinking of a box of chocolates as a recipe ingredient
Crushed aniseed sprinkles may be a specified aniseed ingredient; a chocolate gift serves a different purpose.
Before you shop, decide whether you need a recipe ingredient, a gift or both, and list them separately.
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Choosing a pack without checking the quantity your recipe needs
Susan Aretz’s Frisian pepernoten recipe uses 50 g of crushed aniseed sprinkles for two baking trays; Jumbo lists a 270 g pack.
Compare the quantity in your recipe with the pack size, and consider whether you’ll use the remainder as a topping or decoration.
If you’re only making this recipe, you may have some left over.
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Relying on outdated allergen information online
Ingredients and product information can change. This is especially important if you’re buying for someone with a food allergy.
Read the current packaging before buying and serving. For unpackaged products, ask for the allergen information.
Relevant brands and shops
De Ruijter
Worth considering if you’re looking for crushed aniseed sprinkles as a sweet aniseed topping or for a suitable recipe.
- De Ruijter suggests using its products as a topping or to decorate baked goods.
- Whether they’re suitable for pepernoten depends on the recipe you’re following; a product intended as a topping isn’t automatically an ingredient for every dough.
Albert Heijn
A relevant shop where you can browse De Ruijter Gestampte Muisjes and chocolate gifts as separate purchases.
- The shop has a product page for crushed aniseed sprinkles and a separate category for chocolate gifts.
- Albert Heijn notes that online product information can change, so check the current packaging too.
Jumbo
A relevant shop if you’re considering a pack of crushed aniseed sprinkles alongside a separate chocolate gift.
- Jumbo lists De Ruijter Gestampte Muisjes in a 270 g pack and has a category for chocolate gifts.
- Check whether the product you’ve chosen is available at your shop or for delivery to your address.
Chocolate gifts at Joybuy
These products are suitable if you’re looking for a separate chocolate gift to go with your pepernoten baking. They won’t replace crushed aniseed sprinkles if your recipe calls for them. Check the packaging if the gift presentation matters to you.
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Celebrations Chocolate Assorted, 385 g
A chocolate assortment to choose as a gift, separate from your baking ingredients.
Contents: 385 g. Check the ingredients and allergen information on the current packaging before giving or serving.
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Tony's Chocolonely Chocolate Gift Pack, 288 g
A chocolate gift for anyone who’d like to bring something to give as well as bake.
Contents: 288 g. Check the ingredients and allergen information on the current packaging before giving or serving.
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Merci Petits Chocolate Collection, 125 g
A chocolate collection to consider as a separate thank-you gift, alongside your pepernoten ingredients.
Contents: 125 g. Check the ingredients and allergen information on the current packaging before giving or serving.
Frequently asked questions
Can you use crushed aniseed sprinkles in any pepernoten recipe?
Use them when your recipe calls for crushed aniseed sprinkles or a suitable aniseed ingredient, rather than assuming they’ll work in every pepernoten or kruidnoten recipe. Susan Aretz’s Frisian pepernoten recipe uses 50 g of crushed aniseed sprinkles and suggests ground aniseed as an alternative for that recipe.
Can crushed aniseed sprinkles replace a box of chocolates as a gift?
No. For these shopping needs, they serve different purposes: crushed aniseed sprinkles can be used as a topping or recipe ingredient, while a box of chocolates is a separate gift. Choose both if your recipe calls for crushed aniseed sprinkles and you’d also like to give someone chocolates.
Where can I check the allergens in the product I’ve chosen?
For a prepacked product, read the current label, especially if you’re buying for someone with a food allergy. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that allergen information for prepacked foods must appear on the label, so don’t rely solely on a product page you viewed earlier.