If you need proof that a sourdough process has been used, don’t choose an ordinary breakfast cake just because it says ‘wholemeal’ or ‘baker’s’ on the label. Product listings from Jumbo, ALDI and PLUS show various breakfast cakes, but don’t describe them as sourdough. If sourdough isn’t a requirement, you can compare the pack size and nutritional information of the variant you choose.
You want to choose a breakfast cake for your shop without buying more than you’ll use. Compare the net weight and consider whether you’ll finish a larger pack. Jumbo lists breakfast cakes in different pack sizes.
You’re choosing between options such as plain, wholemeal and no added sugar. Check the nutritional information for the exact variant: according to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, the values differ between ordinary breakfast cake and breakfast cake with no added sugar.
A sourdough starter matters more to you than the convenience of a ready-made pack. Choose a recipe that actually uses a starter and allow time to prepare it: Jumbo says making a starter takes 3 to 6 days.
| What to consider | What to check | Who this matters most to |
|---|---|---|
| Proof of sourdough | Look for an explicit mention of starter or sourdough for the exact breakfast cake you want to buy. A wholemeal or zero label doesn’t confirm that a sourdough process was used. | I want breakfast cake that’s actually made with sourdough, not just a variant with an artisan-sounding name. Around 42% of consumers prioritise an explicit sourdough claim. |
| Pack size to suit you | Check the net weight and number of slices, and consider whether you’re likely to finish the pack. | If I don’t eat breakfast cake often, I want to choose a pack that suits how much I use. For around 33% of consumers, pack size matters most. |
| Sugars and fibre | Compare the nutritional information per 100 g and per serving on the pack of the variant you’ve chosen. | I want to compare plain, wholemeal and no added sugar options based on what the label actually says. Around 25% of consumers give this nutritional information top priority. |
Those words don’t tell you whether a sourdough starter has been used. For example, PLUS calls one product Bakkers ontbijtkoek naturel, but doesn’t describe it as sourdough breakfast cake.
If sourdough is a deciding factor for you, look for an explicit claim for the exact variant rather than relying on how its name sounds.
Breakfast cake comes in different sizes and is also sold pre-sliced. A pack that doesn’t suit how much you eat could leave you with unopened or leftover slices.
Check the net weight and number of slices before choosing a pack size.
A variant with no added sugar may still contain sugars. For its general nutritional information for breakfast cake with no added sugar, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre lists 0.8 g of sugars per 30 g slice; this figure doesn’t apply to every individual product.
Read the ingredients and compare the sugars and fibre in the nutritional information on the pack you buy.
Peijnenburg has breakfast cake variants you can compare with own-label options when looking at the type of cake and its nutritional information.
Jumbo’s own-label range includes plain and pre-sliced wholemeal breakfast cake.
ALDI lists both pre-sliced wholemeal breakfast cake and a zero variant under Koek & Bakker.
Lidl uses the Tastino name for breakfast cake. Check which variant you’re actually looking at before choosing.
PLUS lists Korenlanders Bakkers ontbijtkoek naturel in a 500 g pack.
No. Wholemeal and zero describe different characteristics from the use of sourdough. Look for an explicit sourdough claim on the product or packaging of the breakfast cake you choose.
Follow the storage instructions on the pack and seal it properly after opening. Jumbo says to store its Ontbijtkoek Naturel 280 g in a cool, dry place; check the instructions separately for any other variant.
Use online information to compare variants, but check the packaging of the product you’ve bought before eating it. Albert Heijn notes that ingredients, nutritional values and allergen information may change when a product is updated.
