If you want to reduce the sugar in the chocolate topping on your cake, compare the amount of sugars per 100 g and decide whether chocolate sprinkles can take the place of flakes. The lower-sugar chocolate sprinkles we looked at don’t have the loose flake shape. If you want that shape, you can choose regular flakes and check their nutritional information separately. If you’re looking for something to have with your coffee, choose a biscuit rather than a topping.
Do you use chocolate as a cake topping, and is the amount of sugars per 100 g your main concern? Then lower-sugar chocolate sprinkles are worth comparing, as long as you don’t mind missing out on the flake shape.
If you want something to eat alongside your coffee, a biscuit is the right choice. Flakes and chocolate sprinkles are toppings for things like cake, not a direct substitute for a biscuit.
If you want loose chocolate flakes on cake or a rusk, check the product format before switching to a lower-sugar option. The lower-sugar alternatives we looked at are chocolate sprinkles.
First decide whether you’re looking for a cake topping or a biscuit to have with your coffee. Then compare the nutritional information per 100 g within your chosen product type and check that the format is right for how you’ll use it.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Sugars in the topping | Compare ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g for chocolate toppings, and check the ingredients list for sweeteners or polyols. | When I decorate a cake with chocolate, I mainly want to know how much sugar the topping contains, even if that means choosing chocolate sprinkles. For around 36% of consumers, the sugar content of the topping comes first. |
| A biscuit with coffee | Choose a separate biscuit product if you want something to have with your coffee; compare its nutritional information with that of similar biscuits. | With my coffee, I’m looking for something to eat on its own, not just a cake topping. A lower-sugar biscuit is the first thing around 29% of consumers look for. |
| Cake topping | Check that the format is suitable for the finish you want, and read the allergen information if other people will be eating it too. | I want the chocolate topping on my cake to suit the decoration I have in mind; then I weigh up the ingredients. This use comes first for around 21% of consumers. |
| Loose flakes | Check whether the packaging says ‘flakes’ or ‘chocolate sprinkles’, then look at the sugars per 100 g. | I want recognisable, loose flakes and would be more willing to accept a different amount of sugars than a different format. For around 14% of consumers, the flake shape is the deciding factor. |
The lower-sugar products we looked at are chocolate sprinkles. Jumbo Chocolade Vlokken Puur is a flake product, so it won’t give your cake the same finish.
First decide whether you need loose flakes. If chocolate sprinkles will work too, you can compare the products’ nutritional information without treating their formats as the same.
This claim compares a product with a reference version; on its own, it doesn’t tell you how much sugar the product contains.
Check ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises comparing labels on this basis, so different portion sizes don’t affect the comparison.
According to the product information, Céréal Hagelslag puur minder suikers contains maltitol and soya, and may contain milk. The manufacturer warns that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.
Check the latest ingredients and allergen information, especially if you’re serving the cake to guests or want to avoid polyols.
These product ranges show why, when choosing a cake topping, it matters to weigh up sugars per 100 g against the classic flake shape.
The lower-sugar dark chocolate sprinkles we looked at are an option if the sugar content of the topping matters more to you than the flake shape.
The own-brand lower-sugar options we looked at are dark and milk chocolate sprinkles, not chocolate flakes.
Jumbo Chocolade Vlokken Puur is worth considering when the loose flake shape matters more than a ‘less sugar’ claim.
No. For example, Albert Heijn lists AH Hagelslag puur minder suiker as containing 43 g sugars per 100 g. So, as well as looking at the comparison on the front of the pack, check ‘of which sugars’ in the nutritional information.
Compare the amount of sugars per 100 g, but assess the product format separately: chocolate sprinkles won’t give you the same loose flakes on your cake. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends comparing products per 100 g, as manufacturers may use different portion sizes.
No, not if you want to avoid polyols. The product information on Albert Heijn’s website lists maltitol and 40 g polyols per 100 g; also read the warning on the packaging about excessive consumption.
Check the packaging of each product you choose. According to the product information we looked at, the Céréal chocolate sprinkles contain soya and may contain milk; the AH chocolate sprinkles contain milk or lactose, and Jumbo Chocolade Vlokken Puur may contain milk. The Snelle Jelle Kruidkoek minder suiker we looked at contains rye and cereals containing gluten, and may contain milk and nuts.
Follow the storage instructions on the packaging of your chosen product. For the AH lower-sugar dark chocolate sprinkles and Jumbo dark chocolate flakes we looked at, Albert Heijn and Jumbo respectively recommend storing them in a cool, dark and dry place.
