If you want a truly sugar-free topping, check the nutrition information: according to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, ‘sugar-free’ means no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g. Céréal Hagelslag Puur contains 7.7 g of sugars per 100 g according to Jumbo, so it isn’t a sugar-free option. However, this chocolate sprinkle topping could be an alternative to flakes if you’re mainly looking to reduce your sugar intake. When baking with children, also check the portion size, allergens and any warnings on the packaging.
If sugar-free is a must, the amount of ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g is what counts. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, a product labelled ‘sugar-free’ must contain no more than 0.5 g per 100 g. ‘Reduced sugar’ does not mean the same thing.
If you’re happy for a topping to contain some sugar, you could consider reduced-sugar chocolate sprinkles. Check that sprinkles are a suitable replacement for flakes in your bake, and read the nutrition information and usage warnings.
If you want visible chocolate flakes on cupcakes or other bakes, their shape may be the deciding factor. However, regular flakes won’t automatically meet a preference for less sugar. Check the ingredients and allergens for the variety you choose, too.
First decide whether sugar-free is a must or whether you’re mainly looking to use less sugar. Then choose between flakes and chocolate sprinkles, and check what to look out for on the label when baking with children.
When to choose it: only choose a product whose ‘of which sugars’ value meets the maximum of 0.5 g per 100 g set out by the Netherlands Nutrition Centre.
What to bear in mind: a reduced-sugar claim or the presence of sweeteners does not, by itself, prove that a topping is sugar-free.
When to choose them: consider this option if you want less sugar and chocolate sprinkles work better than flakes as decoration for your bake.
What to bear in mind: Céréal Hagelslag Puur isn’t a flake product and contains 7.7 g of sugars and 40 g of polyols per 100 g according to Jumbo.
When to choose them: choose flakes if their shape is important for your decoration and sugar-free isn’t a requirement.
What to bear in mind: the PLUS flakes reviewed contain 63.8 g of sugars per 100 g according to PLUS. Check the label on other varieties.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Truly sugar-free | Check ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g and compare the figure with the 0.5 g per 100 g limit the Netherlands Nutrition Centre gives for ‘sugar-free’. | If only a sugar-free topping will do, I don’t want to rely on a reduced-sugar claim. For around 46% of consumers, this strict requirement comes first. |
| Less sugar, different shape | Compare the sugars per 100 g and check whether sprinkles will work instead of flakes. For Céréal Hagelslag Puur, also read the information about polyols. | My bake doesn’t have to be sugar-free, as long as I can choose a lower-sugar option and the different shape works. Around 36% of consumers say this is their priority. |
| Using it while baking | Check the allergens for the variety you choose, any usage warnings and how much you’ll use in the recipe. | When children are helping and tasting as they go, I mainly want to know which ingredients and warnings matter for our bake. This is the main concern for around 18% of consumers. |
A topping can contain less sugar and still exceed the level the Netherlands Nutrition Centre gives for ‘sugar-free’. Jumbo lists 7.7 g of sugars per 100 g for Céréal Hagelslag Puur.
If sugar-free is a strict requirement, check the ‘of which sugars’ amount per 100 g, not just the wording on the front of the pack.
Jumbo lists 40 g of polyols per 100 g for Céréal Hagelslag Puur and warns that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.
Read the warning and measure out the amount of topping you need for the recipe.
De Ruijter Kleintjes in the milk variety contains ingredients including milk powder and lactose; the products reviewed also contain soya. The flavour and packaging you choose therefore matter.
Just before baking, check the ingredients and allergen information on the exact pack you’ll be using.
PLUS lists 63.8 g of sugars per 100 g for its pure chocolate flakes reviewed here. Adding a small amount to a cupcake doesn’t change the nutritional value per 100 g.
Choose regular flakes if their shape is your priority, or compare an alternative using the latest nutrition information if you want less sugar.
Céréal Hagelslag Puur is a reduced-sugar chocolate sprinkle topping to consider if sprinkles work as decoration. It isn’t a chocolate flake product.
De Ruijter Kleintjes comes in individual portions of chocolate flakes, for anyone who wants to use flakes for decorating.
PLUS Chocoladevlokken puur is a regular variety of chocolate flakes, sold in a 300 g pack.
ALDI describes Kiekeboe chocolate flakes as available in milk and dark varieties in 300 g packs.
No. Jumbo lists 7.7 g of sugars per 100 g for Céréal Hagelslag Puur, which is above the maximum of 0.5 g per 100 g given by the Netherlands Nutrition Centre for ‘sugar-free’. It’s also a chocolate sprinkle topping, not chocolate flakes.
No, the presence of sweeteners doesn’t automatically make a topping unsuitable. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says that children can also consume sweeteners, but be sure to check the ingredients and usage warnings for the specific product. According to Jumbo, Céréal Hagelslag Puur warns that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.
Yes. For example, Albert Heijn describes De Ruijter Kleintjes as suitable for use on a cupcake. That doesn’t make the flakes sugar-free: before baking, check the sugars per 100 g and the allergens for the variety you choose.
Yes, read the packaging of the product you’re actually using. PLUS points out that ingredients, nutritional values and allergy information can change. The information on the specific variety you choose is especially important if you have a strict sugar requirement or an allergy.
