Which option works best for you?

If you want to serve generous slices

If you’d like to serve firm slices, look for a product described as thick-cut, or choose an unsliced cake so you can decide on the portion sizes yourself.

If you want to serve guests quickly

If you want to know in advance how many ready-cut slices you’ll have, pre-sliced portions are handy. Individually wrapped slices mean less handling of the cake when you’re serving them.

If you need to consider ingredients

Check the exact pack if any of your guests need to avoid particular ingredients or allergens. Even with a gluten-free breakfast cake, it’s important to check the other allergen information.

What should you look for when choosing?

Before the birthday, decide how large you want the slices to be and how you plan to serve them. The weight per slice and the number of slices can help with planning, but weight alone doesn’t tell you exactly how thick each slice is.

What to consider What to check before buying Who it matters to
Slice size Compare the weight and number of slices; choose an unsliced cake if you want to decide on the thickness yourself. I want to serve generous slices without being tied to an unknown set portion size. Slice size is the top priority for around 40% of consumers.
Ease of serving Check how many slices are pre-cut and whether they’re individually wrapped. I want to serve portions at the party without having to cut them first. Around 30% of consumers put convenience first.
Ingredients and nutritional information Check the label on the exact product for allergens and compare the nutritional values per 100 g and per portion. If guests need to avoid certain ingredients, or I want to know the nutritional value per slice, this will determine my choice. For around 20% of consumers, these checks come first.
How much you need for your guests Match the number of slices or the pack weight to the portions you want to serve. I want to have enough slices for my guests, especially if I’m choosing larger portions. For around 10% of consumers, quantity is the first thing they consider.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming a heavier pack means thicker slices

    A heavier pack may simply contain more slices. Jumbo lists Bolletje 500 g as containing around 14 slices of approximately 36 g each; for Peijnenburg plain pre-sliced 550 g, Jumbo lists 18 slices.

    Compare both the weight per slice and the number of slices. If you want to choose the thickness yourself, opt for an unsliced version.

  • Assuming gluten-free means free from all allergens

    According to Jumbo, Jumbo Lekker Vrij van Gluten Ongesneden Ontbijtkoek contains milk and lupin, despite being labelled gluten-free.

    For each guest, check the ‘contains’ and ‘may contain’ information on the exact pack.

  • Counting packs rather than portions

    The number of portions you can serve depends on the slice size you choose; an unsliced cake doesn’t have a set number of party slices.

    Decide how many portions you want first, then use the stated number of slices or the pack weight to work out how much you’ll need.

  • Relying on old product information

    The ingredients and allergen information on a pack may differ from product information you’ve seen before.

    Check the pack you’re actually buying, especially if you need to consider allergens.

Brands to compare

Peijnenburg

Peijnenburg offers pre-sliced breakfast cake and individually wrapped slices. The most convenient option depends on the portions you want to serve.

  • Jumbo lists Peijnenburg plain pre-sliced 550 g as containing 18 slices; Peijnenburg says its individually wrapped 10-pack contains ten slices of 28 g each.
  • Check the ingredients and allergens for the version you choose. The individual wrappers in the 10-pack also mean more packaging.

Bolletje

The pre-sliced breakfast cake we looked at is worth considering if you’re after firm, generously cut slices.

  • Jumbo describes Bolletje Ontbijtkoek Gesneden 500 g as thick-cut and lists around 14 slices of approximately 36 g each.
  • The fixed slice size gives you less flexibility if you want smaller portions. The listed ingredients include rye, wheat and lupin.

Jumbo

Jumbo’s range includes an unsliced breakfast cake from the Lekker Vrij van Gluten range, so you can choose the slice size yourself.

  • Jumbo lists this version as weighing 300 g and providing 12 portions; the pack carries the crossed-grain symbol.
  • This version contains milk and lupin. Check the pack for other allergen information too.

PLUS

PLUS’s unsliced plain breakfast cake is an option if you want to cut slices yourself to suit different guests.

  • PLUS lists an unsliced plain version weighing 550 g, with no fixed slice size.
  • Cutting it yourself takes a little preparation. Check the pack for rye and other allergens before serving.

Albert Heijn

The own-brand plain pre-sliced breakfast cake has a stated portion size, which can help you plan for set-size slices.

  • For its 485 g pack, Albert Heijn lists a portion size of 30 g and 16 portions.
  • This version contains rye and cereals containing gluten. If any guests have allergies, also check the information about possible traces.

Related products at Joybuy

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Does a bigger pack automatically mean thicker slices?

No. You’ll also need to check the number of slices and the weight per slice. Jumbo lists Bolletje 500 g as containing around 14 slices of approximately 36 g each, while the larger Peijnenburg plain pre-sliced 550 g pack contains 18 slices, according to Jumbo.

How much breakfast cake do I need for a birthday?

First decide how many portions you need and how large they should be. Jumbo lists 18 pre-sliced portions for Peijnenburg plain pre-sliced 550 g and around 14 larger slices for Bolletje pre-sliced 500 g. With an unsliced cake, the number of portions depends on how you cut it.

Is regular breakfast cake suitable for guests who eat gluten-free?

Don’t assume it is: the regular Peijnenburg and PLUS versions we looked at contain rye and cereals containing gluten. Jumbo Lekker Vrij van Gluten Ongesneden Ontbijtkoek is labelled gluten-free, but contains milk and lupin. Always check the pack for the exact version.

Can I slice the breakfast cake in advance?

Yes, you can cut an unsliced cake into the portions you want ahead of time. Then follow the storage instructions on the pack for the version you’ve chosen and cover the sliced cake.