Sliced breakfast cake is a handy choice for a shared snack stash when people need to be able to help themselves to a slice. An unsliced loaf lets you control the portions, but you’ll need to cut it up first. Then choose a variety to suit your group’s tastes, and check the sugars, fibre, salt and allergens on each pack.
Whether you’re catering for colleagues, visitors or housemates, you’ll want to be able to put out portions without having to cut them yourself. A large sliced breakfast cake fits the bill; check how many slices are in the pack you choose.
You’re looking for breakfast cake for a sweet snack, but want to know how much sugar your chosen variety contains. If you’re considering a variety with no added sugars, check the ingredients and any warnings on the label too.
You want to choose between plain, wholemeal or a more distinctive flavour. If you’re stocking up for a group, check the allergens on each individual pack as well.
First, decide whether everyone needs to be able to help themselves to a slice. Then compare the ingredients and flavours of the varieties that suit the occasion.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who should pay particular attention? |
|---|---|---|
| Serving portions | Choose sliced cake if people will be helping themselves. Compare the weight and number of slices; according to Jumbo, Peijnenburg plain sliced 550 g contains 18 slices. | If several people need to be able to grab a snack without any preparation, portion format is my first consideration. Around 31% of consumers prioritise serving snacks quickly. |
| Added sugars | Compare sugars and added sugars per 100 g and per portion. Check the ingredients and warnings for your chosen variety too. | I want to offer a sweet cake, but added sugars are my main consideration when choosing. This is the top priority for around 25% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Check the nutritional information for fibre and salt, and read the allergen information on every pack. | When several people are sharing the same stash, I want to know what’s in the cake before putting it out. Ingredients are the main consideration for around 25% of consumers. |
| Flavour and quantity | Choose between plain and flavoured varieties, and work out how much cake you’ll need for the occasion. Check whether flavoured varieties are sliced. | When shopping for a group with different tastes, I’m mainly looking for a flavour and quantity to suit the occasion. This is the top priority for around 19% of consumers. |
With breakfast cake, that term doesn’t tell you much about the portions. A large cake may be sliced or unsliced, while individually wrapped bars offer a different way to serve snacks.
Check whether it’s sliced, the weight and, where stated, the number of slices. Choose an unsliced loaf if you want to decide the portion sizes yourself.
These labels answer different questions. A wholemeal variety may contain added sugars; AH Zero lists polyols and carries a warning about a possible laxative effect if consumed excessively.
Compare the nutritional information per 100 g and per portion, and read the ingredients and warnings for the exact variety.
If you’re stocking up for a group, the allergens listed on the pack may determine whether the cake is suitable. A previous purchase doesn’t mean you can skip that check.
Check the current allergen information for every brand and flavour before serving the cake.
Peijnenburg offers plain, wholemeal and flavoured breakfast cakes, among other varieties. Its 550 g plain sliced version is a handy option for serving straight away.
Albert Heijn’s own-brand range includes sliced plain, wholemeal and zero varieties, so you can compare different labels within the same brand.
PLUS offers sliced and unsliced plain breakfast cake, as well as other varieties. The choice between serving it straight away and slicing it yourself is especially relevant here.
This ALDI brand offers sliced wholemeal breakfast cake, among other products, as well as an unsliced pearl sugar variety.
These two 485 g packs are suitable for a shared stash if you’re looking for sliced breakfast cake. Before serving, check the current allergen information and, if the ingredients matter to your group, the nutritional information on the pack.
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A sliced variety for a stash where people can help themselves to a slice. Don’t assume this variety is free from allergens: check the current pack for rye and read the full allergen information before serving it to a group.
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A sliced variety for serving up portions without having to cut the cake yourself. Check the pack for the number of slices, nutritional information, and details of rye and other grains if these are important for your group.
Sliced breakfast cake is more convenient when people need to be able to help themselves. An unsliced loaf gives you more control over portion sizes, but you’ll need a knife and time to prepare it. According to Jumbo, Peijnenburg plain sliced 550 g contains 18 slices; check the number separately for any other pack.
No. ‘No added sugars’ doesn’t automatically mean ‘sugar-free’. Albert Heijn states that AH Ontbijtkoek Zero sliced contains 0 g of added sugars per 100 g; also check the total sugars, ingredients and warning about excessive consumption on the label for that variety.
Follow the storage instructions on the pack you’ve bought. For Peijnenburg plain sliced 550 g, Jumbo recommends storing it in a cool, dark place in a sealed tin or container to keep the cake moist.
Check the allergen information on the exact pack before serving the cake. Jumbo lists rye for Peijnenburg plain sliced 550 g; ingredients and warnings may differ for other brands and varieties.
