Choose sourdough bread with chocolate sprinkles if you want the bread’s slight tang to contrast with the sweet topping, and can slice and top it just before serving. Rusks are more convenient if you want guests to help themselves to small portions. If you also want to consider the type of flour, look at wholemeal or brown bread. Check the allergens in both the base and the chocolate sprinkles for every combination.
Planning to serve chocolate sprinkles as part of your Boxing Day buffet? Sourdough is an option if you want to pair its slight tang with a sweet topping and have time to slice the bread shortly before serving.
Want to consider fibre and the type of flour as well as the sweet topping? Compare wholemeal, brown and white bread separately. According to the Voedingscentrum, the term sourdough alone doesn’t tell you whether baker’s salt has been used.
If gluten, milk or soya are a concern for your guests, check the information for both the bread or rusks you choose and the specific chocolate sprinkles. Don’t rely on the product category alone.
Choose this if: the slight tang and texture of the bread can be part of your buffet presentation, and you can slice it just before serving.
Bear in mind: a crunchy crust and firmer texture won’t suit every guest.
Choose this if: you want to consider the type of flour and fibre as well as the chocolate sprinkles. The Voedingscentrum distinguishes wholemeal and brown bread from white bread in this respect.
Bear in mind: sourdough doesn’t tell you how much wholemeal flour the bread contains, so check the variety you choose.
Choose this if: your guests would rather help themselves to individual small portions than slice bread.
Bear in mind: this is a different eating experience from fresh bread, and it isn’t automatically a suitable option for guests with allergen requirements.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Flavour and presentation | Consider whether the flavour and crust of your chosen bread will suit your buffet, and whether you can slice it shortly before serving. | If you want the slight tang of sourdough to stand out alongside the chocolate sprinkles, the way you present the bread matters too. For around 33% of consumers, this combination of flavour and presentation comes first. |
| Bread base | Check whether the bread is wholemeal, brown or white. Check the packaging for baker’s salt, or ask if the bread is sold loose. | If you’re choosing the type of flour to go with a sweet topping, you’ll want to know what kind of bread it’s on. Around 25% of consumers put the bread base first. |
| Allergens | Read the latest allergen information for both the base you choose and the chocolate sprinkles. | If guests need to avoid certain ingredients, you’ll want to be able to check what’s in both products. For around 25% of consumers, this is their first priority. |
| Preparation | Check where the products are sold and the opening hours, then decide when you’ll prepare the portions. | If the buffet needs to be ready just before serving with minimal effort, where you buy the products and the portion size will be key. This matters most to around 17% of consumers. |
Sourdough describes how bread rises, not the type of flour used. The Voedingscentrum also notes that bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt.
Check the type of flour and the salt separately on the label, or ask if the bread is sold loose.
Chocolate sprinkles may contain relevant allergens too. Albert Heijn’s product information lists milk, soya, wheat and gluten-containing cereals in the specific De Ruijter Hagelfeest variety.
Read the latest information for each variety you choose and make it available to guests at the buffet.
Jumbo says its rustic sourdough breads are available in store and can’t be ordered online.
Check local availability and opening hours in good time for Boxing Day.
If your buffet is out for a while, it can be harder to get the presentation and texture right when guests come to eat.
Where possible, keep the base and chocolate sprinkles separate, or prepare small portions shortly before serving.
A good option if you want to serve chocolate sprinkles with a separately chosen bread or rusk base.
A point of reference if you’re considering shop-baked sourdough as a buffet base.
A point of reference if you want to pair chocolate sprinkles with wholemeal sourdough bread.
Provides product information about chocolate sprinkles and guidance on sourdough bread as a possible buffet base.
These products are toppings for your buffet. Choose your rusks or bread separately, and check the information that matters to your guests for both products.
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A dark chocolate sprinkles option for anyone choosing their own bread or rusk base.
Pack size: 200 g. If you’re catering for guests with allergen requirements, check the latest information, including details about milk and soya.
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Another topping to serve alongside your chosen buffet base.
Pack size: 200 g. Check the latest information about wheat, soya and possible traces of milk if this matters to your guests.
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A chocolate topping for anyone choosing their buffet base separately.
Pack size: 390 g. If you’re catering for guests with allergen requirements, check the latest packaging, including details about milk and soya.
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A dark chocolate topping for your separately chosen bread or rusk base.
Pack size: 390 g. Check the latest allergen information, including details about milk and soya.
No. Sourdough refers to how the bread rises, not whether it’s gluten-free. If your guests need to avoid gluten, check the latest product description and ingredients for the specific bread. Standard wheat or rye sourdough isn’t a gluten-free alternative.
Ask the baker or supermarket before choosing the bread. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says allergen information for loose foods must be available to consumers. Check the chocolate sprinkles separately too.
No. According to the Voedingscentrum, baker’s salt contains iodine, but bakers aren’t required to use it. Check the ingredients list on packaged bread, or ask the baker what type of salt they’ve used.
That depends on the opening hours and stock at the shop you plan to visit. The Dutch government lists Boxing Day as an official public holiday, so check the opening hours of the specific shop when planning your visit.
