Who is this choice for?

Bakers with a strict sugar-free requirement

You want to finish your cake with sprinkles that are explicitly labelled as sugar-free. Reduced sugar isn’t enough, so check the claim and the nutritional information on the packaging.

Cake decorators looking to reduce sugar

You’re happy for the decoration not to be sugar-free and are open to using sprinkles instead of flakes. Compare the sugars per 100 g and consider whether the different shape will work on your cake.

Bakers who need to check ingredients

Milk, soya or maltitols may matter more to you than reducing sugar. The allergens vary between the Céréal products reviewed here, so check the packaging of the one you choose.

What should you look for when buying?

When choosing chocolate sprinkles for a cake, decide which requirement matters most to you: sugar-free, reduced sugar or suitable ingredients.

What to consider What to check before buying Who it matters to
Sugar-free or reduced sugar Check the claim on the packaging, the ingredients and the ‘of which sugars’ value per 100 g. ‘Reduced sugars’ does not mean ‘sugar-free’. I only want to decorate my cake with sprinkles that are confirmed as sugar-free; a lower sugar value won’t meet that requirement. For around 46% of consumers, this strict requirement matters most.
Sugar reduction and topping shape Compare the sugars per 100 g and check whether the sprinkles are described as suitable for use on baked goods. Sprinkles and flakes don’t have the same shape. I want to finish my cake with less sugar and can use sprinkles instead of flakes. Around 36% of consumers prioritise this sugar reduction.
Sweeteners and allergens Read the ingredients list and allergen information, paying particular attention to maltitols, milk and soya. Before decorating a cake, I need to know what the sprinkles contain. For around 18% of consumers, ingredients and tolerance are the deciding factors.

Common mistakes

  • Reading ‘reduced sugars’ as ‘sugar-free’

    According to Albert Heijn’s product information, the Céréal sprinkles reviewed here still contain sugar. A reduced-sugar claim therefore doesn’t meet a strict sugar-free requirement.

    Check the claim on the current packaging, and read the ingredients and sugars per 100 g too.

  • Looking only at the sugar figure

    The Céréal products reviewed here contain maltitols. The Voedingscentrum says that a high intake of polyols can cause wind and diarrhoea; the products also carry a warning that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.

    Read the ingredients list, especially if you plan to use a generous amount of decoration or want to keep an eye on your polyol intake.

  • Assuming sprinkles and flakes are the same decoration

    The reduced-sugar options reviewed here are sprinkles, while the standard AH and Jumbo products are flakes. They won’t necessarily give your cake the same look.

    Decide which matters more for your bake: the flake shape or a lower sugar content.

  • Relying on a product page you checked earlier

    Ingredients and allergen information can change. This is especially important if you have a strict dietary requirement or need to avoid milk or soya.

    Before use, check the ingredients and allergen information on the packaging of the product you’ve actually bought.

Brands compared

Céréal

The varieties reviewed here are reduced-sugar sprinkles for topping baked goods, not chocolate flakes.

  • According to Céréal’s product information on Albert Heijn, the dark variety contains 7,7 g sugars per 100 g and the milk variety 15 g per 100 g.
  • Both contain sugar and maltitols. The dark variety contains soya and may contain traces of milk; the milk variety contains milk and soya.

Albert Heijn

According to the product page, AH dark chocolate flakes can also be used on a small cake.

  • The flake shape is an option if you want the decoration to be visible on your bake.
  • According to Albert Heijn, sugar is listed first in the ingredients and the product contains 65 g sugars per 100 g.

Jumbo

The Jumbo Chocolate Flakes Mix reviewed here combines milk and white chocolate flakes.

  • The mix offers two types of flakes if that’s the combination you want for decorating.
  • According to Jumbo, sugar is listed as the first ingredient for both types; the mix contains 60,6 g sugars per 100 g and contains milk.

De Ruijter

De Ruijter is worth considering if you’re comparing different varieties of chocolate flakes.

  • You can take the flake shape and the variety you choose into account when decorating a cake.
  • Check the ingredients and nutritional information on the specific packaging before choosing these flakes to meet a sugar-free requirement.

Joybuy products for cake decorating

Matching products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Does ‘reduced sugars’ mean the same as sugar-free?

No. According to Albert Heijn’s product information, the Céréal reduced-sugar sprinkles reviewed here still contain sugar and maltitols. If a sugar-free claim is essential to your choice, check it separately on the packaging.

Can I use reduced-sugar sprinkles to decorate a cake?

Yes. Albert Heijn’s product information describes the Céréal varieties reviewed here as toppings for baked goods. This doesn’t tell you how they’ll behave or look during baking; using them as decoration isn’t the same as adding them to the cake batter.

What should I look out for if I want to avoid maltitols?

Check the ingredients list: both Céréal varieties reviewed here contain maltitols. The Voedingscentrum says that a high intake of polyols can cause wind and diarrhoea.

Are the Céréal toppings reviewed here free from milk and soya?

No. According to Albert Heijn’s product information, the milk variety contains milk and soya; the dark variety contains soya and may contain traces of milk. When buying, check the allergen information on the packaging of the variety you choose.