Hosts who want guests to help themselves
You want to serve chocolate flakes with cupcakes, yoghurt or ice cream, for example, and mainly need a way for guests to help themselves to the dry flakes.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Hosts shopping for several guests
You want to have plenty of topping ready, so you compare pack sizes before choosing a flavour.
Hosts mindful of allergens
You want to check the ingredients and allergens in your chosen variety, even if you transfer the flakes to a shaker before serving.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether you want to serve the flakes in their original packaging or transfer them to another container. Van Beekum Specerijen describes a shaker with an opening for dry flakes; if you choose one, check that it is food-safe and follow its cleaning instructions.
Original packaging
Choose this: if you want to put the flakes on the table without transferring them to another container.
Things to consider: you won’t need to fill and clean an extra container, but check that the packaging is easy to use for self-service.
Dry shaker
Choose this: if you want guests to help themselves and have a food-safe shaker with a suitable opening.
Things to consider: transferring the flakes takes time, and the shaker must be clean and completely dry before you fill it.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Easy to serve | Check the opening of the packaging, or choose a food-safe shaker with an opening for dry flakes. | If guests are adding a topping to their dessert, I want to be able to serve it without making an unnecessary mess. Around 30% of consumers are said to consider ease of serving their top priority. |
| Plenty to go round | Compare the pack sizes of the exact varieties and decide how many packs you want to put out. | When several guests can help themselves to flakes, I don’t want to run out of topping halfway through. Around 40% of consumers are said to prioritise having enough in the pack. |
| Flavour and presentation | Choose between milk, dark and a mix; if you choose a mix, check which types of sprinkles it contains. | For a selection of party treats, I want to choose a flavour or mix that feels right. Around 20% of consumers are said to consider this their most important factor. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the current label for the exact variety and keep the information available if you transfer the flakes to another container. | If guests ask about ingredients, I want to be able to check the packaging before serving. Around 10% of consumers are said to put ingredients and allergens first. |
Common mistakes
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Choosing a squeeze bottle for dry flakes
A squeeze bottle designed for liquids isn’t automatically suitable for dry chocolate sprinkles. The shaker described by Van Beekum Specerijen has an opening specifically for dry flakes.
Use the original packaging, or check before buying that a food-safe shaker has a suitable opening.
Transferring the flakes also takes time to fill and clean the shaker.
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Assuming dark chocolate can’t contain milk
A dark chocolate flavour name doesn’t tell you which allergens are present in or around the exact variety. For example, PLUS states that its 300 g dark chocolate flakes may contain milk and lactose.
Read the current label and keep the packaging if guests will be helping themselves from a shaker.
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Assuming a product page means an item is available to order
Jumbo states on its page for De Ruijter Dark Chocolate Flakes 300 g that the item is no longer in its online range. Lidl describes its 300 g milk chocolate flakes as an in-store product.
Check whether the exact variety is available from the shop or via the ordering method you want to use.
Brands to consider
De Ruijter
De Ruijter offers milk and dark chocolate flakes, as well as a vanilla-flavoured mix.
- For De Ruijter Royaal Chocolate Flakes 240 g, Jumbo states that they contain at least 40% cocoa solids.
- Check allergens and availability for each variety; Jumbo no longer lists its De Ruijter Dark Chocolate Flakes 300 g as available online.
Jumbo
Jumbo lists its own chocolate flakes alongside varieties from De Ruijter.
- The range includes Jumbo Dark Chocolate Flakes 300 g.
- Check whether the variety you want is available for each item.
PLUS
PLUS lists its own 300 g dark chocolate flakes alongside other varieties.
- The dark PLUS variety is labelled with Fairtrade Cocoa.
- PLUS says this variety may contain milk and lactose; check the packaging for the latest product information.
Kiekeboe
ALDI Netherlands lists Kiekeboe chocolate flakes in milk and dark varieties, in 300 g packs.
- ALDI states that this product is Rainforest Alliance certified.
- Check the exact variety, packaging and label in store.
Lidl
Lidl lists 300 g milk chocolate flakes as an in-store product.
- The stated pack size makes it possible to compare this variety by pack size.
- Check the label on the exact pack in store for ingredients and allergens.
Flakes and sprinkles for your party
These flakes and chocolate sprinkles are options to consider as toppings. Choose separately how you want to serve them: the product name doesn’t confirm that they come in a squeeze bottle or a shaker with a dispensing opening.
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Venz vanilla-flavoured chocolate sprinkles 400 g
An option if you want a chocolate and vanilla-flavoured topping for party treats. Before serving for guests to help themselves, check the opening of the packaging and read the current label.
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De Ruijter Flake Feast 200 g
A mix of chocolate flakes and vanilla-flavoured flakes for cupcakes or cakes, for example. Check the label for allergens and make sure the packaging is suitable for the way guests will be serving themselves.
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De Ruijter Dark Chocolate Sprinkles 390 g
A dark chocolate topping if you’d prefer to serve chocolate sprinkles rather than flakes at your party. Before serving, check the current label and the dispensing opening on the packaging.
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De Ruijter Intense Dark Chocolate Sprinkles 200 g
A dark chocolate sprinkle topping for anyone who wants to offer this flavour. Check the packaging for serving instructions and read the label for ingredients and allergens.
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De Ruijter Milk Chocolate Flakes 200 g
A milk chocolate option to serve as a topping with party treats. Check that the packaging is easy to use, and keep the label handy for ingredient and allergen information.
Frequently asked questions
Can I serve chocolate flakes from a squeeze bottle at a birthday party?
Don’t assume a squeeze bottle will work for dry chocolate flakes. Use the original packaging, or check that a clean, food-safe shaker has an opening suitable for flakes; Van Beekum Specerijen describes an opening designed for dry flakes.
What pack size should I choose for several guests?
Choose the pack size based on how much topping you want to put out, rather than assuming a set amount per guest. The varieties discussed come in different pack sizes; also consider whether you’d rather put out one pack or top it up during the party.
What should I do with the label if I transfer the flakes to a shaker?
Keep the original packaging so guests can check the ingredients and allergens for the exact variety. Keep the information with the shaker, and don’t replace its contents without updating that information too.
Are dark chocolate flakes always free from milk?
No, the word ‘dark’ doesn’t guarantee that. For example, PLUS states that its 300 g dark chocolate flakes may contain milk and lactose; check the current label of the variety you’re serving.
How should I store opened chocolate flakes after the party?
Follow the storage instructions on the packaging; for the varieties discussed, De Ruijter and PLUS recommend storing them in a cool, dry place. If you’ve used a shaker, follow its cleaning instructions and let it dry completely before filling it again.