Anyone planning a coffee and cake break
You’re looking for a flavour that goes well with rusks and might also use sprinkles as a topping for cake or dessert.
Who is this guide for?
Shoppers comparing labels
You want to check the sugars, ingredients and allergens on each pack before choosing milk, dark or another variety.
Regular users
You use chocolate sprinkles often and want to balance the pack size against how much you’re likely to use before the best-before date.
What should you look for when choosing?
First, decide which flavour you’d like with rusks and cake. Then check the label and choose a pack size that suits how you use them.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Best suited to |
|---|---|---|
| Flavour and use | Choose between milk, dark and mixed varieties; check whether the product is also recommended for baking. | If I want to use chocolate sprinkles on both rusks and cake, flavour is the most important factor for both occasions. Around 43% of consumers put flavour and use first. |
| Ingredients and portion | Compare sugars per 100 g and per stated portion, and read the ingredients and allergen lists. | If I’m keeping an eye on sugars or particular ingredients, I want to assess the pack I’m actually buying. This is the main concern for around 29% of consumers. |
| Pack size | Check the net weight, best-before date and storage instructions. | If I use sprinkles regularly, I want to have enough in the cupboard without buying a pack that will take too long to finish. Around 28% of consumers put this consideration first. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming dark chocolate sprinkles are automatically low in sugar
A higher cocoa percentage doesn’t, by itself, tell you how much sugar a product contains. Albert Heijn lists 43 g of sugars per 100 g for De Ruijter Specials Intens Puur.
Use the cocoa percentage to assess that specific variety, and check the nutrition information per 100 g and per portion as well.
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Choosing a large pack without considering how often you’ll use it
A 600 g pack may not be practical for every household if chocolate sprinkles only make an occasional appearance.
Choose a size you’re likely to finish before the best-before date, and follow the storage advice on the pack.
An opened pack that sits around for a long time also takes up space and needs to be stored carefully.
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Guessing allergens from the words ‘milk’ or ‘dark’
Even a dark variety may list milk or soya in its allergen information. This varies from product to product.
Check the current ingredients and allergen lists on the pack you’ve chosen each time you buy.
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Assuming rusks always contain iodine from baker’s salt
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt with added iodine. Chocolate sprinkles won’t tell you which salt was used in the rusks either.
To find out which salt is in a particular rusk, check the ingredients list or ask the baker.
Brands to consider
De Ruijter
De Ruijter offers milk, dark and mixed varieties, among others. Check each product to find the flavour and ingredients you’re looking for.
- Jumbo lists Puur and Melk in 390 g packs, as well as an Intens Puur variety in a 200 g pack.
- For Specials Intens Puur, Albert Heijn lists milk and soya as allergens and 43 g of sugars per 100 g. Don’t assume the same applies to other varieties.
Venz
According to Jumbo, Venz offers milk, dark and white chocolate sprinkles, among other varieties.
- The different varieties offer a choice of chocolate flavours and shapes.
- For Venz Hagelslag melk 400 g, Albert Heijn lists milk, lactose and soya, and 69 g of sugars per 100 g. This information applies to that variety.
AH
The AH own-label range includes a chocolate sprinkles mix and a dark variety that is compared with a specific AH product for its sugar content.
- According to Albert Heijn, AH Hagelslag mix contains 50% dark and 50% white chocolate sprinkles.
- Albert Heijn states that AH Hagelslag puur minder suiker has 30% less sugar than AH Chocolade hagel puur. This isn’t a comparison with all dark chocolate sprinkles.
Kiekeboe
Kiekeboe is an ALDI own-label brand, with milk and dark chocolate sprinkles available in 600 g packs, among other products.
- The pack size may suit regular use.
- Check the ingredients and allergens for each variety; the pack size doesn’t tell you anything about them.
Jumbo
Jumbo’s own-label range includes milk, dark and duo-mix varieties for anyone looking to compare these flavours.
- Jumbo lists these varieties in 600 g packs.
- Check the recipe, nutrition information and allergens on each pack; these aren’t the same for every variety.
Chocolate sprinkles and flakes at Joybuy
This selection includes milk and dark chocolate sprinkles, plus one variety of chocolate flakes. When choosing something for rusks or a coffee and cake break, compare the product type, flavour and pack size. Flakes aren’t the same as chocolate sprinkles.
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g'woon milk chocolate flakes 300 g
Consider these flakes if you’re after a milk chocolate topping rather than chocolate sprinkles.
Pack size: 300 g. Before using them on rusks or cake, check the instructions and allergen information on the pack.
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g'woon milk chocolate sprinkles with smiley faces 600 g
This smiley-face variety is worth considering if you’d like the sprinkles to add a bit of character to your bakes, too.
Pack size: 600 g. Consider whether that amount suits how often you use chocolate sprinkles, and check the allergens on the label.
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Venz milk chocolate sprinkles 400 g
Consider this milk chocolate variety if you’re looking for sprinkles to use on bread or as a cupcake topping.
For Venz Hagelslag melk 400 g, Albert Heijn lists 69 g of sugars per 100 g, with milk, lactose and soya as allergens. Check the current pack for the latest information.
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De Ruijter Intense Dark chocolate sprinkles 200 g
Consider this dark variety if you’re looking for a rich cocoa flavour to top cupcakes.
For De Ruijter Specials Intens Puur, Albert Heijn lists at least 52% cocoa solids and 43 g of sugars per 100 g. Check the pack for milk and soya as well.
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g'woon dark chocolate sprinkles 400 g
These dark chocolate sprinkles are an option if you’d like a dark chocolate flavour on bread or rusks.
Pack size: 400 g. Check the nutrition information and allergens on the pack before using them for baking, too.
Frequently asked questions
Are chocolate sprinkles meant to be an everyday bread topping?
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, chocolate sprinkles aren’t included in the Dutch Wheel of Five. The Centre describes them as a bread topping that is high in calories, saturated fat and sugar. Check the nutrition information for the product you choose to see what’s in your portion.
Can dark chocolate sprinkles contain milk or soya?
Yes, this can vary between varieties. Albert Heijn lists milk and soya for De Ruijter Specials Intens Puur, so always check the allergen information on the pack you’re buying.
How should I store an opened pack of chocolate sprinkles?
Follow the storage advice on the pack and seal it well after use. The Venz and De Ruijter varieties mentioned are labelled to be stored in a cool, dry place.
Do rusks always contain iodine from baker’s salt?
No, you can’t tell from the product type alone. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt with added iodine. Check the ingredients list for a particular rusk or ask the baker.