Everyday snack at home
You want a cake for several afternoon snacks and don’t mind slicing or portioning it yourself at home.
Who are these options suitable for?
Ingredient-conscious shopper
You’re looking for wholemeal breakfast cake, for example, or want to compare sugar, fibre and any sweeteners across different varieties.
Planning portions for on the go
You take an afternoon snack to work or school and want to know whether the cake is pre-sliced or comes in individually wrapped portions.
What should you look for when choosing?
First, decide whether you’ll mainly eat the breakfast cake at home or take it with you. Then compare the packaging and, if you have specific dietary preferences, check the information on the label of the variety you’ve chosen.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Pack size for home | Check the net weight and whether the cake is pre-sliced. Think about how many portions you want to cut yourself. | If I have a slice at home every day, I want one cake I can enjoy on several occasions. For around 50% of consumers, this choice of packaging comes first. |
| Sugars, fibre and grain | Compare the nutritional information per 100 g and per portion, and read the ingredients for wholemeal or no-added-sugar varieties. | If I’m checking wholemeal content, sugar or fibre, I want to assess the exact variety rather than rely on the front of the pack; around 30% of consumers give this top priority. |
| Portions for on the go | Check whether the pieces are individually wrapped; a pack containing several pieces doesn’t necessarily mean they are. | For work or school, I want to take a portion with me without having to slice it first. This convenience comes first for around 10% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the current ingredients and allergen information for the variety you’ve chosen, especially if you need to avoid certain grains or nuts. | If I need to avoid an ingredient, the label determines which cake is suitable for me; for around 10% of consumers, this is the main consideration. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming ‘no added sugar’ means ‘sugar-free’
These terms don’t mean the same thing. Peijnenburg states that its no-added-sugar Original variety contains 1.4 g of sugars per 28 g portion; the ingredients list includes xylitol.
For the exact variety, check both the sugars entry in the nutritional information and the ingredients list.
-
Assuming standard rye breakfast cake is gluten-free
Rye contains gluten. PLUS lists rye as an ingredient in its sliced Original breakfast cake, while Jumbo offers a separate breakfast cake labelled gluten-free.
If you need a gluten-free product, don’t choose based on the product type alone: check the label and the current packaging for the specific product.
Brands to consider
Peijnenburg
The range includes Original breakfast cake, individually wrapped products and a no-added-sugar variety.
- According to Peijnenburg, one 28 g slice of its no-added-sugar Original variety contains 4.7 g of fibre and 1.4 g of sugars.
- The ingredients for this variety include xylitol; its nutritional values don’t necessarily apply to other Peijnenburg products.
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn offers, among other products, a standard 600 g breakfast cake for enjoying at home.
- The larger pack may suit you if you want to cut several portions from one cake.
- Albert Heijn notes that product information can change, so check the ingredients and allergens on the packaging.
Jumbo
The range includes larger breakfast cakes, smaller snack products and a separate breakfast cake labelled gluten-free.
- There are different pack formats to consider for home or on the go.
- A bar and a breakfast cake aren’t necessarily the same type of product, so check which one you’re choosing.
Koek & Bakker bij ALDI
Under this brand, ALDI offers sliced wholemeal breakfast cake and a separate Zero variety.
- The sliced wholemeal variety comes in a 485 g pack.
- Compare the ingredients and nutritional information for the wholemeal and Zero varieties separately.
PLUS
PLUS offers sliced Original breakfast cake as well as a baker’s breakfast cake.
- The sliced Original variety comes in a 485 g pack and is ready to portion.
- The products have different ingredients: PLUS lists wheat and rye for the baker’s variety and notes that nuts may be present.
Tastino bij Lidl
Lidl sells breakfast cake varieties under its Tastino brand.
- For each variety, check whether the size and packaging suit you for home or on the go.
- Check the current ingredients and nutritional information on the packaging of the product you choose.
Breakfast cake for home and on the go
These Joybuy products include sliced cake for home and breakfast-cake-style products in packs of several pieces. If you’re taking them with you, check the difference between loose pieces and individually wrapped portions.
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g'woon sliced wholemeal breakfast cake, 485 g
A sliced variety for anyone who wants to grab a piece at home without cutting the cake themselves.
The allergen information isn’t clear when considered alongside the listed rye. If you have dietary restrictions, check the label on the packaging.
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Snelle Jelle Less breakfast cake bars, 250 g
For anyone who wants to take an afternoon snack as an individual portion.
The pack contains 250 g. If the claim about added sugars matters to your choice, read the nutritional information and ingredients; ‘less added sugar’ doesn’t mean sugar-free.
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g'woon breakfast cake, 6 pieces
For anyone looking for a pack with several pieces to enjoy across different snack breaks.
The product title says six pieces, but doesn’t specify whether each one is individually wrapped. Check the packaging if you want to take them with you separately.
Frequently asked questions
Is breakfast cake with no added sugar also sugar-free?
No, these terms don’t mean the same thing. Peijnenburg states that its no-added-sugar Original variety contains 1.4 g of sugars per 28 g portion and lists xylitol in the ingredients. Check the information for the exact variety you’re buying.
Can I choose standard rye breakfast cake if I need to avoid gluten?
No, rye contains gluten. Don’t rely on the general name ‘breakfast cake’; check that the specific product is labelled gluten-free and read its current packaging.
How should I store breakfast cake once it’s opened?
Follow the storage advice on the packaging for your variety. PLUS recommends keeping its sliced Original breakfast cake in a cool, dark, dry place. For its baker’s breakfast cake, the brand advises resealing the packaging securely after opening and storing the cake in a cool, dry place.