Who is this choice relevant to?

Those looking for a cocoa note

You want a recognisable chocolate or cocoa flavour for adult visitors, not just a dark brown cake. Check the ingredients, and look for the cocoa percentage if a high cocoa content matters to you.

Festival-goers who want to share easily

You want to take portions along and share them without cutting them up on site. Individually wrapped bars or slices are a good fit.

Buyers comparing nutritional information

You compare varieties by their sugars, fibre, sweeteners and allergens. Check the ingredients and any warnings too: for example, a variety with no added sugars may contain a sweetener.

What should you look for when buying?

First decide whether cocoa is a must-have or whether easy sharing matters more. Then compare the nutritional information, and check the allergens on the packaging if you’ll be sharing with others.

What to consider What to check when buying Who is this most important to?
Cocoa note Look for cocoa or chocolate in the ingredients. Check the stated percentage if a high cocoa content matters to you. I’m looking for a recognisable cocoa flavour and don’t want to judge by colour alone. This cocoa note is the top priority for around 40% of consumers.
Portion packaging Check the number of portions, the weight of each piece and whether each one is individually wrapped. I want to take pieces along and share them without cutting them up at the festival. Convenience comes first for around 30% of consumers.
Sugars and sweeteners Compare the sugars and fibre per 100 g and per portion; also check which sweeteners and warnings are listed. I want to compare the nutritional values of different varieties before choosing one to take along. This is the top priority for around 20% of consumers.
Allergens Read the current ingredients list and any warnings about the possible presence of allergens. Keep the packaging available when sharing. When I give breakfast cake to others, I want to be able to check which allergens are listed. This check is the deciding factor for around 10% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming dark brown means lots of cocoa

    A dark colour alone says nothing about the cocoa content. Peijnenburg lists 4% chocolate with sweetener and 2% cocoa beans for its Tussendoor+ choco bar, but doesn’t give a total cocoa percentage.

    Only use a high cocoa content as a selection criterion if the label gives you the information you need to assess it.

  • Overlooking sweeteners

    A product with no added sugars may contain sweeteners. Peijnenburg warns that excessive consumption of its Tussendoor+ choco bar may have a laxative effect.

    Check the ingredients and warnings before buying, especially if you plan to share several portions.

  • Relying on a product photo for allergen information

    Ingredients and warnings vary by product. Jumbo lists rye and wheat among the ingredients of its Oude Wijven Ontbijtkoek; the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority also highlights the importance of declaring allergens on labels.

    Check the current packaging and keep the allergen information available for the people you’re sharing with.

  • Assuming baker’s salt contains iodine

    According to Brood.net, using baker’s salt containing iodine is not a legal requirement. So you can’t tell which type of salt is used just from the breakfast cake category.

    If this matters to your choice, check which type of salt is listed on the label or ask the manufacturer.

Brands to consider

Peijnenburg

Peijnenburg offers classic breakfast cake slices as well as individually wrapped portions for a snack.

  • The Tussendoor+ choco bar lists chocolate with sweetener and cocoa beans; its individual wrapping is handy for sharing.
  • The stated percentages for these ingredients don’t add up to a total cocoa percentage. Check the specific variety if you’re looking for a pronounced cocoa flavour.

Koek & Bakker

This ALDI own brand offers, among other products, sliced wholemeal breakfast cake in a 485 g pack and unsliced pearl sugar breakfast cake in a 465 g pack.

  • The sliced wholemeal variety can save you having to cut it up before taking it along.
  • If you want cocoa or individually wrapped portions, check that the pack you choose actually has those features.

Jumbo

Jumbo Oude Wijven Ontbijtkoek is a spiced variety containing ingredients such as aniseed, fennel seeds, coriander, star anise and liquorice.

  • An option to consider if you’re looking for spices rather than cocoa as the main flavour.
  • The ingredients information lists rye and wheat. If you’re sharing it, check the current allergen information on the packaging.

Breakfast cake to take with you on Joybuy

These products are options if you want to take breakfast cake with you and compare the packaging and nutritional information. If you’re specifically looking for a high cocoa content, check before buying that the label confirms this for the variety you’ve chosen.

Snelle Jelle Breakfast Cake Less Sugar-Free, 250 g pack

Snelle Jelle Breakfast Cake Less Sugar-Free, 250 g

A breakfast cake to consider if you’re looking for portions to take with you. Check how the portions are packaged and read the nutritional information; don’t assume you know the sugar content from the variety name alone.

If cocoa is a deciding factor for you, check the ingredients list and look for a stated cocoa percentage. If you’re sharing it, also read the allergen information and warnings.

View on Joybuy
Peijnenburg Pearl Candy 4-Pack

Peijnenburg Pearl Candy 4-Pack

A four-piece pack to consider if you want to take breakfast cake with pearl sugar along. Check whether the pieces are individually wrapped if you want to share them without cutting them up.

Pearl sugar doesn’t indicate that a product contains cocoa. Check the ingredients and current allergen information on the packaging before choosing this variety for a group.

View on Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Does dark breakfast cake mean it contains lots of cocoa?

No. The colour alone doesn’t confirm that it contains cocoa or has a high cocoa content. Check the ingredients and any stated cocoa percentage. Peijnenburg lists 4% chocolate with sweetener and 2% cocoa beans for its Tussendoor+ choco bar, but doesn’t give a total cocoa percentage.

Which breakfast cake is easy to take to a street festival?

An individually wrapped bar or slice is handy if you want to share it without cutting it up. Albert Heijn lists four individually wrapped 36,7 g bars in its Peijnenburg Tussendoor+ granen, pitten & choco pack; Peijnenburg lists ten individually wrapped 28 g slices in its Naturel 10-pack.

Where can you check allergen information when sharing breakfast cake?

Read the allergen information on the current packaging and keep it available when sharing. Jumbo lists rye and wheat for Oude Wijven Ontbijtkoek; for every variety you choose, also check for warnings about the possible presence of other allergens.

Is baker’s salt containing iodine required in Dutch breakfast cake?

No, there’s no general legal requirement to use baker’s salt containing iodine in every breakfast cake. According to Brood.net, its use isn’t legally required; check the label to see which type of salt is listed for the specific product.