Home bakers making advent calendar treats
Chocolate flakes can be used as a topping for homemade cupcakes and other treats. You can decide on the portions and presentation yourself, but a box of flakes won’t fill the compartments on its own.
Who are chocolate flakes suitable for?
People sharing flakes with others
If you’re planning several breakfasts or baking sessions, compare the pack sizes. A 300 g pack contains more flakes than a 200 g one, but it isn’t the same as a bag of individually portioned treats.
People with dietary requirements or allergies
If you need to avoid milk, lactose, soya or wheat, or want vegan food, it’s important to check the exact variety. Read the ingredients, allergens and any warnings on the pack you’re planning to use.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether you want loose flakes to use on homemade treats, or something ready to pop into each advent calendar compartment. Then compare the pack sizes and ingredients of products that suit your plan.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Individual compartments | Check whether you’re happy to weigh and package the portions yourself, or need treats that are ready to hand out. | If I want to fill each compartment straight away, individually wrapped treats are more useful than loose flakes. Around 50% of consumers prioritise ready-to-go portions. |
| Pack size for sharing | Compare the net weight and check whether you’re looking at flakes, a mix or another type of chocolate topping. | For cupcakes or breakfast with a group, I want enough topping in one pack. Around 38% of consumers prioritise a pack size suitable for sharing. |
| Allergens and dietary requirements | Read the ingredients and allergen information for the exact variety, including any warnings about possible traces. | When I’m serving something to someone with specific dietary requirements or allergies, the pack I choose needs to be suitable. For around 12% of consumers, this is their top priority. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming a large box contains individual advent calendar portions
The flakes described here are loose sprinkles or a bread topping in a single pack. If you want to use them in individual advent calendar compartments, you’ll need to decide how to portion and package them yourself.
Choose flakes if you’re looking for toppings for homemade treats. If you want to fill the compartments straight away, look for individually wrapped products.
Making and packaging the portions yourself also takes time to prepare.
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Assuming ‘dark’ or ‘vegan’ means allergen-free
PLUS describes its tested dark flakes as vegan, but also states that they may contain milk and lactose. The tested dark variety from De Ruijter contains soya and may contain milk; Choca lists wheat and soya.
Before serving, check the current label on the exact pack. A product name or dietary claim is no substitute for checking the ingredients and warnings.
Brands to consider
De Ruijter
The tested 200 g chocolate flakes are intended as a bread topping or as a topping for yoghurt, porridge or cupcakes.
- Tested milk and dark varieties are available to suit different tastes.
- The tested dark variety contains soya and may contain milk. Check the label for each variety.
Jumbo (huismerk)
Jumbo offers tested 300 g packs of chocolate flakes, including a milk variety, for use as a bread topping or as a topping for other foods.
- The 300 g pack is an option if you want to use flakes on several homemade treats.
- The milk variety contains milk and isn’t an individually wrapped advent calendar treat.
PLUS (huismerk)
The tested PLUS dark chocolate flakes come in a 300 g pack.
- PLUS describes this dark variety as vegan and states that it contains Fairtrade cocoa.
- According to the product information, this variety may contain milk and lactose. Check allergen information separately from the vegan claim.
Kiekeboe
ALDI lists Kiekeboe chocolate flakes in milk and dark varieties, in 300 g packs.
- The stated pack size gives you a clear amount to compare for sharing as a topping.
- Check the ingredients and allergens on the pack of the milk or dark variety you choose.
Choca
The tested Choca mixed flakes come in a 200 g pack and have a different composition from standard dark chocolate flakes.
- The mix is an option if you specifically want this combination of flavours as a topping.
- The tested variety contains wheat and soya and may contain milk. Check the exact pack before serving.
Products for homemade treats
These products are flakes, mixes or other chocolate toppings to portion out yourself. They aren’t ready-made collections of individually wrapped advent calendar treats, so check the product type and pack size when choosing.
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g'woon milk chocolate flakes 300 g
A pack of flakes to portion out over several treats yourself.
Pack size: 300 g. Check the ingredients and allergens on the pack before serving.
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De Ruijter Chocolate Chunks 390 g
An option if you want to use chocolate chunks in homemade treats instead of standard flakes.
Pack size: 390 g. Check that the chunks are right for what you’re making, and read the label before serving.
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De Ruijter Hail Chocolate Pure 390 g
For anyone looking for dark chocolate sprinkles to portion out themselves. Don’t rely on ‘dark’ alone if you have dietary requirements or allergies.
Pack size: 390 g. Check the product type and the current label for this variety.
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De Ruijter Flake Feast 200 g
For homemade treats when you want a smaller pack and plan to portion out the topping yourself.
Pack size: 200 g. Check the ingredients and allergens on the exact pack.
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Venz Jungle Flakes 200 g
For anyone looking for sprinkles for homemade treats and wanting to choose the portions themselves.
Pack size: 200 g. Check the ingredients and allergens on the label before serving.
Frequently asked questions
Can I put chocolate flakes straight into 24 advent calendar compartments?
Chocolate flakes aren’t a ready-made set of individual treats. The products reviewed are loose bread toppings or sprinkles in a single pack; if you want to use them in separate compartments, you’ll need to make and package the portions yourself.
What pack size should I choose if I want to share the flakes?
It depends on how many toppings you want to make. The products reviewed include 200 g and 300 g packs. Also consider whether you want standard chocolate flakes, a mix or another type of chocolate topping.
Are dark flakes, or flakes labelled vegan, suitable for someone with a milk allergy?
Don’t assume they are based on the product name. PLUS describes its tested dark flakes as vegan, but also states that they may contain milk and lactose. Check the ingredients, allergens and warnings on the exact pack.
How should I store an opened pack of flakes?
Follow the storage instructions for your variety on the pack. The instructions for the tested Jumbo and De Ruijter varieties say to store in a cool, dry place and seal the pack tightly after use.