Who is this choice relevant to?

Bakers keeping an eye on sugar content

If the stated sugar content is a deciding factor for your cake, compare products per 100 g. Check the ingredients too: less sugar doesn’t mean there’s no sugar in the product.

Bakers looking for a product with no added sugar

When a product is marketed this way, check both the ingredients and the nutritional information. An ingredient such as dates can still mean the finished product contains a significant amount of sugars.

Cake decorators checking ingredients and allergens

Before using sprinkles for other people, check the current packaging for ingredients such as milk and soya, possible traces and sweeteners such as maltitol. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, large amounts of polyols can cause digestive problems.

What should you look for when choosing?

First decide which sugar claim or quantity matters to you, and whether you want to use the sprinkles as a topping or in a bake. Then check the ingredients and allergen information on the packaging of the product you buy.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Sugars and claims Compare ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g and read the exact claim on the packaging. Check the ingredients list too. I want to limit the sugar in my cake decorations and not rely on the wording on the front of the pack alone; around 42% of consumers prioritise this information.
Format and use Choose between fine sprinkles and larger chunks. Check whether the product is intended for decorating or can also be used in baking. For my cake, it matters whether I scatter the sprinkles on top or mix them into the batter; around 33% of consumers give intended use their highest priority.
Ingredients and allergens Read the current packaging for information about maltitol, milk, soya and possible traces. I want to know which ingredients and allergens the topping contains before serving it; around 25% of consumers consider this their main concern.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming ‘less sugar’ and ‘no added sugar’ mean the same thing

    These descriptions don’t mean the same thing when it comes to total sugar content. Céréal Puur lists 7.7 g of sugars per 100 g, according to Céréal, while the No Sugar Daddies chunks sold by Puur Mieke list 34 g per 100 g.

    Compare the nutritional information per 100 g with the ingredients list. Don’t assume a product is ‘sugar-free’ just because it makes a different sugar claim.

  • Overlooking maltitol

    Céréal Puur lists 40 g of polyols per 100 g. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, large amounts of polyols can cause digestive problems; this is worth bearing in mind if you use a generous sprinkling.

    Check the ingredients and any warning on the packaging before deciding how much to use.

  • Guessing allergens from the product name

    According to the product information, Céréal Puur contains soya and may contain milk. Albert Heijn lists milk and lactose for AH Hagelslag Puur Minder Suiker. The name or sugar claim won’t tell you which allergens may be present.

    Before buying and using the product, check the allergen information on the current packaging, including any ‘may contain’ statements.

Brands compared

Céréal

Céréal offers dark and milk chocolate sprinkles with a claim that they contain less sugar than a comparison product.

  • According to Céréal, the dark chocolate version contains 7.7 g of sugars per 100 g and 88% less sugar than comparable standard dark chocolate sprinkles.
  • The dark chocolate version contains both maltitol and sugar, contains soya and may contain milk. The milk chocolate version contains milk and soya.

No Sugar Daddies

Puur Mieke sells the Extra Puur chunks for topping and baking, with cocoa and dates listed as ingredients.

  • The retailer describes the chunks as vegan and having no added sugar, and says they’re suitable for baking.
  • The nutritional information from Puur Mieke lists 34 g of sugars per 100 g. The larger chunks also have a different format from fine sprinkles.

Albert Heijn

AH Hagelslag Puur Minder Suiker is an own-brand option that Albert Heijn lists for uses including topping small cakes.

  • Albert Heijn states that it contains 30% less sugar than AH Chocolade hagel puur.
  • The product lists 43 g of sugars per 100 g; sugar is the first ingredient listed, and the product contains milk and lactose.

De Ruijter

Royaal Extra Puur is a standard chocolate sprinkle that Albert Heijn also recommends for baking.

  • For this version, Albert Heijn lists at least 43% cocoa solids.
  • The nutritional information lists 54 g of sugars per 100 g, while the ingredients information lists sugar, milk and soya.

Joybuy products for this topic

Related products will be available soon.

Frequently asked questions

Is Céréal Hagelslag Puur sugar-free?

No: Céréal’s product information lists 7.7 g of sugars per 100 g and includes sugar and maltitol in the ingredients list. So the claim that it contains less sugar doesn’t mean you should treat this version as sugar-free.

Can sprinkles with no added sugar still contain sugars?

Yes. The No Sugar Daddies Extra Puur chunks, sold by Puur Mieke as having no added sugar, list 34 g of sugars per 100 g. So check the nutritional information and ingredients list as well as the description.

Can I mix sprinkles into cake batter?

Puur Mieke describes the No Sugar Daddies chunks as suitable for baking, but that doesn’t tell you how they’ll turn out in your particular batter. If you’re making a cake for a special occasion, try a small amount first. For decoration, you can assess the product’s format without putting it in the oven.

Why should I check for maltitol in sprinkles with less sugar?

Céréal Puur contains maltitol and lists 40 g of polyols per 100 g. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, large amounts of polyols can cause digestive problems, so check the ingredients and warnings when deciding how much to use on a cake.

How should I store sprinkles for my next cake?

Follow the storage instructions on the packaging of the product you buy. Albert Heijn recommends storing AH Hagelslag Puur Minder Suiker in a cool, dark and dry place. For No Sugar Daddies, Puur Mieke recommends cool, dark storage at 16–18 °C, away from sunlight.