Time-poor commuter
Wants to pop a pre-packed bar or slice in their bag without having to cut the cake first. Peijnenburg, PLUS and ALDI describe products with individually wrapped portions.
Who are individually wrapped breakfast cake bars handy for?
Shopper comparing sugar content
Wants to compare a standard version of spiced breakfast cake with options containing less sugar. The nutritional information per 100 g and per portion shows what’s stated for the pack you choose.
Solo shopper planning for the working week
Wants individual portions for several mornings without having to open a large, uncut pack each time. Pack sizes vary, so check how many portions you’ll actually use.
What should you look for when choosing?
For a workday breakfast, start by choosing the type of pack and portion size you want. Then compare the nutritional information and the number of portions that fits your shopping plans.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Taking it with you and portion size | Check whether each bar or slice is individually wrapped and how many grams one portion weighs. | When I’m in a hurry, I want to take one portion with me without having to cut it. For around 42% of consumers, convenience is the most important factor when choosing. |
| Sugars and ingredients | Compare sugars and fibre per 100 g and per bar, and read the ingredients list too. | I want to know what the version I choose contains per eating occasion, rather than relying on the product name alone. Around 33% of consumers put this comparison first. |
| Stock for the working week | Count the individual portions and check whether the pack is available at the shop where you do your food shopping. | For several workdays, I want to buy enough bars, but not more than I’ll use. This is the main consideration for around 25% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Relying on the ‘less sugar’ claim alone
A comparison with another product doesn’t tell you how much sugar is in your bar. Albert Heijn and PLUS list different amounts per 100 g for their respective versions.
Read the nutritional information per 100 g and per bar, and compare the ingredients too.
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Assuming you know the allergens from the name ‘breakfast cake’
The Peijnenburg and PLUS versions described contain rye and gluten-containing cereals. Warnings about possible traces vary by product.
Check the current label on the exact pack you’re buying.
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Assuming all spiced breakfast cake contains iodine-rich baker’s salt
A general statement about baker’s salt doesn’t confirm which type of salt was used in a specific product.
Check the product specifications or ask the manufacturer which type of salt was used if this matters to your choice.
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Choosing a multipack without counting the portions
A pack with more bars than you’ll use may not suit your working week. Lidl also lists its cake bars as an in-store product, while ALDI directs shoppers to local stores for its koekhappers.
Count the individually wrapped portions and check availability at your local shop before planning your food shopping.
Brands to compare
Peijnenburg
Slices of spiced breakfast cake, individually wrapped for breakfast on the go.
- According to Peijnenburg, the plain pack contains ten slices weighing 28 g each. The brand also shows a pack of eight individually wrapped slices in another variety.
- According to Peijnenburg, the regular 28 g slice contains 11 g of sugars. Check the ingredients and allergen warnings for each variety.
Albert Heijn
Own-brand bar for anyone who wants to compare its nutritional values with those of a standard breakfast cake bar.
- Albert Heijn lists 18 g of sugars and 23 g of fibre per 100 g for its less-sugar bar.
- The product page states that this item has been discontinued. Check which version is currently available and read the label for allergen information.
PLUS
Own-brand plain and less-sugar bars in packs of six.
- PLUS lists 38,2 g of sugars and 3,2 g of fibre per 100 g for its plain bar. For the less-sugar version, the figures are 22,9 g of sugars and 9,2 g of fibre per 100 g.
- Both versions described contain rye and gluten. Check the pack for other allergen warnings.
Lidl
Cake bars in packs of six, including a less-sugar version of spiced breakfast cake.
- Lidl shows six bars per pack.
- The product page states that the bars are only available in store. Read the label there to compare the nutritional information for the version you choose.
ALDI
Goud Gebakken koekhappers, including a version of spiced breakfast cake in individual wrappers.
- ALDI lists six individually wrapped pieces per pack.
- Check in store that you’ve found the spiced breakfast cake version, then read the pack for nutritional and allergen information.
Breakfast cake bars on Joybuy
This selection is suited to taking a bar of spiced breakfast cake with you on workdays. Check the sugar claim against the nutritional information on the pack.
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Snelle Jelle Breakfast Cake Less Sugar-Free, 250 g
For anyone who wants to take a bar of spiced breakfast cake with them on a workday. Compare sugars and fibre on the current label per 100 g and per bar; don’t assume the amount from the product name.
If you’re checking for allergens, look on the pack for rye, gluten-containing cereals and warnings about milk or nuts.
Frequently asked questions
Is a breakfast cake bar a complete breakfast on its own?
A bar on its own doesn’t tell you what your whole breakfast consists of. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre gives a nutritional value of 92 kcal for a 30 g slice of spiced breakfast cake. Compare this with the portion size of your own bar and think about what you have with it, too.
Does ‘less sugar’ mean every bar contains little sugar?
No. The claim refers to a comparison, not a set amount of sugar per bar. Check both the value per 100 g and the value per portion on the pack you choose.
Does all spiced breakfast cake contain iodine because of baker’s salt?
You can’t assume this is true of every product. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains that iodine may be present in bakery products through baker’s salt. For a specific product, check the pack or ask the manufacturer.
How should I store breakfast cake bars for workdays?
Follow the storage instructions on the pack. PLUS says to store its breakfast cake bars in a cool, dry, dark place. Also check the best-before date on the pack you buy.