Bakers decorating several bakes
If you want to decorate a cake and some cupcakes, the pack size is a useful place to start. According to their product information, Jumbo Milk and AH Pure are both available in 300 g packs.
Who are these flakes for?
Bakers looking for a dark chocolate flavour
If you want dark flakes as a topping, check the exact variety rather than going by the brand alone. Albert Heijn states that AH Pure contains at least 32% cocoa solids; Jumbo states that De Ruijter Royaal contains at least 40%.
Bakers with ingredient or allergen requirements
Check the packaging of the flakes you’re actually using. For example, AH Pure lists milk and lactose, while soy or wheat may also be relevant for other varieties.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether the flakes should stand out on the finished cake, which flavour you want and how much you’ll need. Then check the ingredients and whether your chosen variety is available.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Quantity | Compare the net weight with the number of bakes you want to decorate; the own-brand packs discussed contain 300 g. | If I want to decorate several cupcakes or cakes, I need enough flakes in one pack. For around 34% of consumers, quantity comes first. |
| Visible finish | Check whether the product description mentions using the flakes as a topping or decoration. Using them in cake mixture requires separate guidance. | A visible layer of flakes on the finished cake matters more to me than the size of the box. For around 33% of consumers, the finish is the top priority. |
| Flavour | Choose between milk, dark and a mix; only compare stated cocoa percentages if they refer to the same product basis. | I want the topping to complement the flavour of my cake, so I choose the variety first. Around 20% of consumers prioritise flavour. |
| Ingredients and availability | Read the allergen information on the exact pack and check where your chosen variety is available. | If an ingredient isn’t suitable for me, or I need a specific variety, I need to know before I start baking. For around 13% of consumers, these buying requirements are decisive. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming ‘dark’ means dairy-free
This assumption could lead you to choose a variety that doesn’t meet your ingredient requirements. According to Albert Heijn, AH Pure lists whole milk powder, milk and lactose.
Read the ingredients and allergen information on the exact pack you intend to use.
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Treating a cocoa and vanilla mix as dark chocolate flakes
A mix has a different composition and flavour. Jumbo describes Choca Vlokken mix as cocoa and vanilla flakes, and lists 3.7% low-fat cocoa in the ingredients.
Check the product name and ingredients before choosing a mix for a cake you want to top with dark chocolate flakes.
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Assuming a product page means it’s in stock locally
Just because you’ve found a product online doesn’t mean it’s available at the shop where you do your food shopping. Lidl describes the 300 g milk chocolate flakes mentioned as ‘in-store only’.
Check that your chosen variety is available before planning your cake’s finish around it.
Brands to compare
Jumbo
Own-brand milk and dark chocolate flakes, including 300 g packs.
- For its milk variety, Jumbo specifically mentions decorating as a use, with cupcakes as an example.
- The milk variety contains milk; if you have ingredient requirements, check the current packaging.
Albert Heijn
Own-brand AH Pure chocolate flakes in a 300 g pack; the product description mentions using them on small cakes.
- Albert Heijn states that AH Pure contains at least 32% cocoa solids.
- According to the ingredient information, AH Pure contains whole milk powder and lists milk and lactose as allergens.
De Ruijter
A brand with several varieties of flakes, including Royaal.
- Jumbo states that its 240 g pack of De Ruijter Royaal contains at least 40% cocoa solids.
- Soy and the possible presence of milk are listed for Royaal; check the allergens for each variety.
PLUS
Own-brand dark and milk chocolate flakes in 300 g packs.
- PLUS lists a pack size of 300 g for both varieties mentioned.
- If you’re choosing based on ingredients or allergens, check the information on the packaging of your chosen variety.
Kiekeboe (ALDI)
ALDI lists Kiekeboe chocolate flakes in 300 g packs, in milk and dark varieties.
- ALDI states that the chocolate flakes mentioned are Rainforest Alliance certified.
- Check which variety is available in store and read the ingredients on that pack.
Flakes at Joybuy
These products offer milk chocolate flakes or a mixed variety that you could consider for decorating. As well as checking the pack size, look at the suggested use: a product described for desserts won’t necessarily tell you how well it will work on cakes or cupcakes.
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Venz Milk Chocolate Sprinkles 400 g
The suggested use as a cupcake topping makes this milk chocolate variety a good option for decorating after baking.
The pack contains 400 g. If you have ingredient requirements, check the packaging for milk, lactose and soy.
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De Ruijter Flake Feast 200 g
This mix of chocolate and vanilla flakes is described as a topping for cupcakes and other treats.
The pack contains 200 g. If you have allergen requirements, check the packaging for wheat, soy and the possible presence of milk.
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De Ruijter Flakes Milk 200 g
These milk chocolate flakes are described as a topping for cupcakes and other bakes.
The pack contains 200 g. Check the packaging if milk or soy is a factor in your choice.
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g'woon Milk Chocolate Flakes 300 g
These milk chocolate flakes are suggested for desserts. If you want to use them on a cake or cupcake, consider whether they’ll give you the finish you’re looking for.
The pack contains 300 g. If you have allergen requirements, read the current packaging, paying particular attention to the information about wheat.
Frequently asked questions
Can you use chocolate flakes on a cake?
Yes, as a decoration: Jumbo gives decorating cupcakes as an example, and Albert Heijn mentions small cakes for AH Pure. If you want the flakes to remain visible, add them to a cooled cake or a layer of icing. Using them in the cake mixture calls for a suitable recipe or specific product instructions.
Are dark chocolate flakes always free from milk and lactose?
No. According to Albert Heijn, AH Pure contains whole milk powder and lists milk and lactose as allergens. So check the packaging of the exact dark variety you choose.
Which allergens should you check in chocolate flakes?
It varies by variety: Jumbo Milk contains milk, while De Ruijter Royaal lists soy and the possible presence of milk. The product information for Choca Vlokken mix also mentions wheat. Use the ingredients and allergen information on the pack you choose as the basis for your checks.
How should you store chocolate flakes after opening?
Close the pack and follow the storage instructions on it. Albert Heijn advises storing AH Pure in a cool, dark and dry place; Jumbo advises keeping its flakes cool and dry.
Is a higher cocoa content always the right choice for a cake?
No, the stated cocoa content is only one feature of a topping. Jumbo states that De Ruijter Royaal contains at least 40% cocoa solids, while Albert Heijn states that AH Pure contains at least 32%. Also choose based on the flavour you want, the ingredients and the finish.