Hosts looking for a fine topping
If you want to finish crispbread, cupcakes, cake or other bakes with a fine sprinkling of aniseed, consider crushed aniseed sprinkles. Albert Heijn suggests using them as a topping and for decorating bakes.
Who are the different varieties suitable for?
Hosts planning a self-service buffet
If you want to put whole sprinkles on display at a crispbread or toppings station, factor the pack size into your stock plan. Jumbo and Albert Heijn list 330 g packs of whole varieties alongside 270 g packs of crushed sprinkles.
Hosts who need to tell guests about allergens
If you’re setting out food for guests at a buffet, you’ll need to be able to check the ingredients and allergen information on the packs you’ve bought. Albert Heijn warns that online product information can change and recommends checking the label.
What should you consider when choosing?
First decide whether you want a fine topping or visible whole sprinkles. Then work out how much you’ll need for each part of the buffet, and check the labels before serving.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Form and use | Choose crushed for a fine sprinkling or whole for visible pieces; check which form you’re buying. | I want to finish crispbread or small pieces of cake with a fine aniseed topping, not whole pieces. An estimated 40% of consumers prioritise this texture. |
| Quantity and presentation | Work out the portions and compare pack weights. Jumbo and Albert Heijn list 270 g for De Ruijter Gestampte Muisjes and 330 g for the whole varieties mentioned. | For a self-service buffet, I want to put out enough sprinkles and decide how they’ll look on the table. Around 40% of consumers give quantity and presentation top priority. |
| Labelling and storage | Read the ingredients and allergen information on every pack you buy. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends storing opened sprinkles in a dry place in a tightly sealed pack. | If guests ask about allergens, I want to be able to check the label and store the supplies carefully. For an estimated 20% of consumers, this is their first consideration when buying. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming a 270 g pack is a large catering pack
Jumbo lists De Ruijter Gestampte Muisjes in a 270 g pack. That pack size alone doesn’t tell you how many packs your buffet will need.
Count the portions you plan to sprinkle and work out how many packs you’ll need before buying.
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Treating whole sprinkles as the same kind of topping
Feestmuisjes and pink-and-white sprinkles are whole varieties. Their visible pieces don’t provide the same fine sprinkling as crushed sprinkles.
First decide which form you want on your crispbread or bakes, then compare the colour and pack size.
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Relying only on an online ingredients list
Albert Heijn says that ingredients and allergen information can change. If guests need this information, an older product listing is no substitute for checking the label on the pack you’ve bought.
Read every label while preparing the buffet, and keep the information available alongside the relevant buffet item.
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Leaving opened supplies uncovered
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends keeping sprinkles in a dry place in a tightly sealed pack.
Only put out what you want to serve at the time, and keep the spare supply dry and sealed.
A relevant brand to consider
De Ruijter
Jumbo and Albert Heijn list 270 g packs of De Ruijter Gestampte Muisjes alongside 330 g packs of whole sprinkles.
- Among the varieties listed, you can choose between a fine sprinkling and visible whole sprinkles.
- A different pack size or colour doesn’t make a whole variety the same as the crushed one. As with any brand, check the label on the pack you buy.
Products for different buffet plans
These products suit two possible buffet plans: an aniseed topping for finishing dishes, and pink sprinkles for a more eye-catching display. If you’re looking specifically for crushed sprinkles, check the form of the aniseed topping; neither product name indicates that it’s a large catering pack.
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De Ruijter Aniseed Sprinkles 300 g
An option if you’re looking for an aniseed topping for buffet dishes. The pack lists 300 g; before buying, check that the form is right for the fine crushed sprinkles you want to use.
Check the label on the pack you buy for ingredients and allergen information.
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De Ruijter Pink Muisjes 330 g
An option if pink sprinkles suit the look you want for your buffet. The pack lists 330 g; don’t choose this variety on pack size alone if you’re looking for a fine, crushed topping.
Check the ingredients and allergen information on the pack you buy before serving.
Frequently asked questions
How should I plan for crushed sprinkles at a large wedding buffet?
Start with the number of portions you want to sprinkle, then check the weight per pack. Jumbo lists De Ruijter Gestampte Muisjes in a 270 g pack, so don’t assume it comes in a larger pack without checking the size of the specific product.
When should I choose whole sprinkles instead of crushed?
Choose whole sprinkles if you want visible pieces on the buffet table; choose crushed sprinkles for a fine topping. Jumbo and Albert Heijn list 330 g packs of whole varieties and a 270 g pack of the crushed variety, but the difference in pack weight doesn’t change the difference in form.
How should I store opened sprinkles for the buffet?
Store opened sprinkles in a dry place and seal the pack tightly. This is the storage advice from the Netherlands Nutrition Centre; keep any spares sealed during the buffet.
Can I use online allergen information for the buffet?
Use online information to prepare, but check the label on the pack you’ve bought before serving. Albert Heijn warns that ingredients and allergen information can change. If unpackaged food is offered to consumers, the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority requires allergen information to be available before purchase. Whether this applies to your buffet depends on how the food is offered.