Who are these options for?

Party shoppers with fussy eaters

You want a familiar breakfast cake that’s easy to serve without much preparation. A sliced plain or wholemeal variety could work well; compare the portions and nutritional information on the specific packaging.

People keeping an eye on sugar and fibre

You want to consider the nutritional value of the party treat. Compare sugar and fibre separately: wholemeal and Zero describe different things. For varieties containing polyols, read the warning on the packaging too.

Party planners considering allergens

Before serving, you need to know which ingredients your guests avoid. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends asking about allergies when planning a children’s party. Then check the ingredients and any warnings on the product you’re actually buying.

What should you look for when choosing?

First decide whether flavour and ease of serving, nutritional information or suitability for guests with allergies will guide your choice. Then compare the packaging and nutritional values of the varieties that meet your needs.

What to consider What to check when buying Who is this important for?
Flavour and serving Check whether the cake is sliced and how many portions the packaging states it contains. Pre-sliced portions are easy to count, but less flexible if you want to cut smaller tasters. If fussy eaters are coming, I want a familiar flavour and slices I can serve quickly. For around 40% of consumers, flavour and ease of serving come first.
Sugar and fibre Compare sugar and fibre per 100 g, and check the size of each slice too. For Zero varieties, check the sweeteners and warnings as well. I want to keep an eye on sugar and fibre in a party treat, without assuming that wholemeal means less sugar. Around 30% of consumers give these nutritional values the highest priority.
Allergens and dietary requirements Ask guests what they need to avoid, then read the current ingredients list and any ‘may contain’ warning. For a gluten-free variety, check for other allergens too. When serving a group, I want to know in advance which cake is suitable for each guest. For around 30% of consumers, suitability is the most important factor.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming wholemeal means less sugar

    The AH wholemeal breakfast cake described by Albert Heijn contains 41% wholemeal rye flour and also lists 34 g of sugar per 100 g. So the grain base doesn’t tell you how much sugar a product contains.

    Compare sugar and fibre on the same basis, and check the size of the slice you plan to serve.

  • Serving a Zero variety without considering the portions

    The varieties containing xylitol or other polyols that were reviewed carry a warning that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.

    Read the sweeteners and usage warning on the current packaging before deciding on portions.

  • Overlooking other allergens in gluten-free products

    The gluten-free Peijnenburg breakfast cake described by Albert Heijn also contains milk and lupin. A single claim on the front of the pack doesn’t tell you whether a product meets everyone’s dietary requirements.

    For the guest in question, check the full ingredients list and any warnings about traces on the packaging you buy.

  • Choosing a pack without counting the portions

    According to Albert Heijn’s product information, Bolletje plain contains around 14 portions per pack, while a large pack of Peijnenburg Zero 80 contains individually wrapped slices. These pack sizes won’t suit every party in the same way.

    Count how many guests want breakfast cake, then choose a pack whose portions you can use.

Brands compared

The differences below apply to the varieties mentioned, not to a brand’s entire range. Use the packaging of the breakfast cake you choose for your final comparison.

Albert Heijn

The own-brand varieties described include sliced wholemeal breakfast cake and a sliced Zero variety.

  • According to Albert Heijn’s product information, the wholemeal variety contains 41% wholemeal rye flour and 5,7 g of fibre per 100 g.
  • The same wholemeal variety lists 34 g of sugar per 100 g. The Zero variety contains xylitol and carries a warning against excessive consumption.

Peijnenburg

The varieties described come in different pack formats and offer different grain or dietary features, including wholemeal, individually wrapped slices and a gluten-free option.

  • According to Albert Heijn’s product information, the large Zero 80 pack contains 28 g slices, each individually wrapped. This makes it easy to count portions in advance.
  • These Zero slices contain rye and may contain nuts and milk. The gluten-free variety described contains milk and lupin; check the label of each variety.

Bolletje

The plain variety described is a 500 g sliced breakfast cake, with around 14 portions per pack.

  • Bolletje describes this plain variety as extra moist; consider that flavour description alongside what your guests usually choose.
  • According to Albert Heijn’s product information, this variety contains rye, wheat and lupin, and may contain nuts. Its nutritional information lists 35 g of sugar and 3,3 g of fibre per 100 g.

Breakfast cake products on Joybuy

These products suit two ways of serving breakfast cake at a birthday party: pre-sliced wholemeal cake and bars that you can set out individually. For both, check the current packaging if allergens or nutritional values are deciding factors.

g'woon wholemeal breakfast cake, sliced, 485 g

g'woon wholemeal breakfast cake, sliced, 485 g

For anyone who wants to serve pre-sliced breakfast cake and is looking for a wholemeal variety. Check the number of portions and allergens on the packaging before offering slices to your guests.

View on Joybuy
Snelle Jelle Less Sugar-Free breakfast cake bars, 250 g

Snelle Jelle Less Sugar-Free breakfast cake bars, 250 g

For anyone who wants to set out breakfast cake bars individually instead of cutting slices. The variety name doesn’t confirm that the bars are sugar-free: compare the sugar content, the unit used for the nutritional values and the allergens on the current packaging.

View on Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Does wholemeal breakfast cake automatically contain less sugar?

No. Wholemeal describes the grain base used, not the sugar content. According to Albert Heijn’s product information, AH wholemeal breakfast cake contains 34 g of sugar per 100 g, so compare sugar and fibre separately on the label.

Can I serve unlimited portions of Zero breakfast cake?

No, decide on portions based on the packaging you choose. The Zero varieties described contain polyols such as xylitol and carry a warning that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.

Is gluten-free breakfast cake suitable for every guest with an allergy?

No. The gluten-free Peijnenburg variety described by Albert Heijn contains milk and lupin. Ask guests what they avoid, then check the ingredients and any warnings about traces on the packaging you buy before serving.

How do I choose a pack for a small birthday party?

First count how many guests want breakfast cake and compare that number with the portions listed on the packaging. According to Albert Heijn’s product information, Bolletje plain contains around 14 portions, while a large pack of Peijnenburg Zero 80 contains individually wrapped slices.

Can I assume that breakfast cake contains iodine from baker’s salt?

No, don’t assume that a specific breakfast cake does unless this has been confirmed. If iodine is important to your choice, check the product-specific information or ask the manufacturer.