Who are these options relevant to?

Dutch doughnut makers keeping an eye on sugar

You want to use chocolate sprinkles as a topping, but first compare the sugar content on the label and decide how much to sprinkle on each doughnut.

Fans of extra dark chocolate sprinkles

You’re looking for an extra dark variety and want to know how its stated sugar content compares with that of a regular dark variety. Extra dark sprinkles still contain sugars.

Households checking allergens

Before using them, you check the packaging to see whether information about soya, milk, lactose or possible allergens is suitable for everyone eating them.

What should you look for when choosing?

First decide whether you mainly want to compare the sprinkles themselves or control the amount of topping on each doughnut. Then check the allergen information and decide whether you’ll use the sprinkles only as a topping or mix them into the batter too.

What to consider What to look for Who it matters to
Sugars per 100 g Compare the same value in the nutrition information. According to PLUS, De Ruijter Royaal Extra Puur contains 56 g of sugars per 100 g, while De Ruijter Puur contains 63 g per 100 g. I don’t want to rely on the words ‘extra dark’; I want to compare the sugar values for the sprinkles side by side. This comparison comes first for around 40% of consumers.
Amount of topping Decide how many grams of sprinkles you’ll use on each doughnut. Jumbo states that its dark chocolate sprinkles contain 12.7 g of sugars per 20 g serving; compare a serving value only with the amount you actually use. I also want to be able to control how much regular dark topping goes on each doughnut. This amount is the top priority for around 40% of consumers.
Allergens and use Read the current allergen information, including any ‘may contain’ statements. If you want to mix sprinkles into the doughnut batter, try it with a small amount first. If anyone eating them needs to pay attention to allergens, I want to be able to check the packaging before baking. This check matters most to around 20% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming ‘extra dark’ means ‘less sugar’

    The name alone says nothing about a nutrition claim. PLUS does state that De Ruijter Royaal Extra Puur contains 56 g of sugars per 100 g, compared with 63 g for De Ruijter Puur.

    Use the nutrition information to compare these varieties, and check separately which claims appear on the packaging.

  • Comparing only the value per 100 g

    The amount of sprinkles you use determines how much sugar the topping adds to each doughnut.

    Decide on an amount per doughnut in advance and weigh it out if you like. According to Albert Heijn, De Ruijter Puur contains 9.5 g of sugars per 15 g serving; Jumbo Puur contains 12.7 g per 20 g.

  • Overlooking a ‘may contain’ statement

    A warning about possible allergens is different from an ingredient declaration, but it can still be important for anyone who needs to avoid those allergens.

    Read the allergen information on the packaging you’re actually using. Check for information about soya, milk and lactose, among other things.

  • Mixing the sprinkles straight into all the batter

    Using them as a topping and adding them during frying are two different things. The topping uses described here don’t tell you how the sprinkles will behave in Dutch doughnut batter.

    Sprinkle them over the doughnuts after frying, or try a small test batch first if you want to mix them into the batter.

Brands compared

Compare each of the varieties mentioned separately: a sugar value or allergen statement for one pack doesn’t automatically apply to all sprinkles from the same brand.

De Ruijter

The dark sprinkles and Royaal Extra Puur let you compare two varieties from the same brand.

  • According to PLUS, Royaal Extra Puur contains 56 g of sugars per 100 g and Puur contains 63 g per 100 g.
  • The lower figure doesn’t mean Royaal is sugar-free. Check each pack for information about soya and possible milk traces.

Albert Heijn

AH Pure chocolate sprinkles are an own-brand option to compare with other dark sprinkles.

  • Albert Heijn states that AH Pure chocolate sprinkles contain 65 g of sugars per 100 g.
  • This is higher than the 56 g per 100 g that PLUS states for De Ruijter Royaal Extra Puur. For AH Pure, check the current information about milk and lactose too.

Jumbo

Jumbo Chocolade Vlokken Puur provides nutrition information both per 100 g and per serving.

  • Jumbo states that the sprinkles contain 63.7 g of sugars per 100 g and 12.7 g per 20 g serving.
  • Sugar is near the top of the ingredients list, and milk may be present. Check the packaging if this matters to anyone eating them.

Chocolate sprinkles on Joybuy

These dark chocolate sprinkles are an option if you want to control the topping on your Dutch doughnuts yourself. Before using them, compare the nutrition and allergen information on the packaging; don’t assume from the product name that there’s a ‘less sugar’ nutrition claim.

De Ruijter Intense Pure chocolate sprinkles, 200 g

De Ruijter Intense Pure chocolate sprinkles, 200 g

For anyone who wants to measure out dark chocolate sprinkles as a topping. The pack contains 200 g; check the current nutrition and allergen information before deciding how much to use on each doughnut.

View on Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Does De Ruijter Royaal Extra Puur officially carry a ‘less sugar’ claim?

Having less sugar than another variety doesn’t prove that it carries this claim. According to PLUS, Royaal Extra Puur contains 56 g of sugars per 100 g and De Ruijter Puur contains 63 g per 100 g. Check the packaging if you’re specifically looking for a product with that nutrition claim.

How can I work out how much sugar the sprinkles add to a doughnut?

Use the sugar value per serving or per 100 g alongside the weight you actually sprinkle on. Jumbo states that Jumbo Chocolade Vlokken Puur contains 12.7 g of sugars per 20 g serving; using a different amount will change the amount the topping contributes too.

Which allergens should I check for in chocolate sprinkles?

Check the current packaging for both ingredients and ‘may contain’ statements. The De Ruijter varieties mentioned state that they contain soya and may contain milk; Jumbo Puur states that it may contain milk, while AH Pure states that it contains milk and lactose.

Is a Dutch doughnut without chocolate sprinkles sugar-free?

No. Leaving out the sprinkles only removes the sugars from that topping. The Voedingscentrum states that a standard 65 g Dutch doughnut contains 1.4 g of sugars; for a homemade doughnut, the amount depends on the recipe and any filling.