If you want guests to help themselves
For coffee, dessert or when guests are leaving, a box of individually wrapped chocolates is handy if you don’t want to cut or portion anything yourself. Check that there are enough pieces for your guests.
Who should choose which option?
If you want to decorate cakes or rusks
Crushed aniseed sprinkles can be part of your buffet display. You’ll need a dish to serve them on, though.
If you need to take allergies into account
If a guest has an allergy, the ingredients and allergen information on the exact pack matter more than the name or appearance of the box. Keep that information available while serving, too.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether guests should be able to help themselves or whether you want to finish off a dish. Then check the packaging and label.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Ready to hand out | Check how many pieces there are and whether they’re individually wrapped. | If guests need to help themselves, I don’t want to portion out the chocolate first; around 40% of consumers prioritise ease of serving. |
| Decoration | Choose crushed aniseed sprinkles if you also have cakes, rusks or another dish to sprinkle them over. | For cakes or rusks, I want sprinkles that suit my presentation. This use takes priority for around 20% of consumers. |
| Allergens | Check the exact pack for listed allergens and any warnings about possible cross-contamination. | If a guest has an allergy, I want to be able to check what’s in the product before serving it. Around 40% of consumers prioritise this check. |
Common mistakes
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Thinking crushed aniseed sprinkles can replace chocolates to hand out
Aniseed sprinkles are a topping for cakes or rusks, for example. Guests can’t help themselves to an individual piece of chocolate in the same way.
Decide how you want to serve them first: a box of chocolates for guests to help themselves to, or sprinkles to add to a dish.
-
Putting out a chocolate assortment without checking the label
Different chocolates in one box may contain different ingredients. The merci Assorti box described by Jumbo lists milk, almonds, hazelnuts and soya, among other ingredients, and includes warnings about the possible presence of other allergens.
Read the label on the exact pack and keep it by the buffet so guests can check the information for themselves.
Brands to consider
De Ruijter
Worth considering if you want to use crushed aniseed sprinkles as a topping.
- Albert Heijn describes De Ruijter Gestampte muisjes as a bread topping that can also be used on cupcakes, cakes and pastries.
- To serve them straight to guests, you’ll still need a dish to sprinkle them over.
merci
Worth considering if you’re looking for a chocolate assortment with individually wrapped bars.
- The merci Assorti box described by Jumbo contains 20 individually wrapped chocolate bars.
- If allergies are a concern, check the label on the box you choose; the variant described by Jumbo lists milk, nuts and soya, among other ingredients.
Tony's Chocolonely
Worth considering if you’re looking at a box of small chocolates in a range of flavours.
- According to Albert Heijn, the Tiny's kadoosje contains 22 individually wrapped pieces in ten flavours.
- Check the allergens on the label of the exact variant before serving the box.
Chocolate products for the buffet
These chocolate packs are options for a buffet or when you’re entertaining guests. If everyone needs to be able to help themselves, check not only what’s inside but also how many individual portions there are and how they’re packaged.
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Tony's Chocolonely Chocolate Gift Pack, 288 g
A chocolate gift pack for sharing or sampling at the buffet. The pack contains 288 g; check how many pieces it includes and whether they’re individually wrapped if each guest needs to be able to take their own portion.
If allergies are a concern, read the label on the exact pack.
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Nestle Kitkat Itoen Matcha & Chocolate, 9 pieces, 104,4 g
A pack of nine pieces for anyone who wants to serve matcha chocolate at the buffet. Check whether the pieces are individually wrapped if guests should be able to take one each.
Check the best-before date before buying and, if allergies are a concern, read the label on the exact pack.
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Merci Petits Chocolate Collection, 125 g
A 125 g chocolate collection to enjoy with coffee or dessert. If you want to set out one portion per guest in advance, check how many pieces there are and whether they’re individually wrapped.
If allergies are a concern, read the label on the exact pack.
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Lindt Lindor Cornet Assorted, 200 g
A 200 g chocolate assortment to put out as an extra treat at the buffet. Check how many truffles there are and how they’re packaged if you want to serve them without any further preparation.
If allergies are a concern, check the information on the exact pack.
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Smarties Milk Chocolate Tubes, 6 × 34 g
Six 34 g tubes provide individual packs for handing out. They’re tubes, not a chocolate assortment box, so consider which presentation best suits your buffet.
If allergies are a concern, check the label on the exact pack.
Frequently asked questions
Can crushed aniseed sprinkles replace a box of chocolates on the buffet?
Not if guests need to be able to help themselves to an individual chocolate. Crushed aniseed sprinkles are a topping for rusks or cakes, for example, so choose them when you want to finish off a dish like that.
How should I store opened crushed aniseed sprinkles?
Close the pack securely and store it in a dry kitchen cupboard. The Voedingscentrum recommends storing opened crushed aniseed sprinkles for no longer than one year.
Where can I check allergen information for chocolate served to guests?
Read the label on the exact pack, including any warnings about possible cross-contamination. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, allergen information must appear on the label of prepacked foods. Keep the pack by the buffet so guests can check it for themselves.