Advent calendar makers
You want to have an individual portion ready for each compartment or lunchtime treat, without having to measure out chocolate sprinkles every time.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Families sharing a larger pack
You use chocolate sprinkles on different occasions and want to decide for yourself how much to put on each rusk or serve to each person.
Shoppers considering ingredients or flavour
You compare the ingredients, allergens and type of chocolate in the exact variety, even when a pack contains several types.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether you need individual portions or want to portion the sprinkles yourself. Then choose a variety whose ingredients and flavour suit your plans.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Individual portions | Count the individual portions and check the weight and types included in each one. | If I want to fill each Advent calendar compartment or plan each lunchtime treat in advance, I don't want to weigh out chocolate sprinkles every time. For around 31% of consumers, the convenience of individual portions is the main priority. |
| A larger pack to share | Compare the pack sizes and think about how you want to portion and store the sprinkles yourself. | When we eat rusks with chocolate sprinkles at home on different occasions, I want a large enough supply to serve out portions myself. For around 31% of consumers, having enough in stock is the deciding factor. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the ingredients, allergens and any warnings about possible traces on the exact pack. | If I'm putting something together for someone with a food allergy, I need to be able to assess each variety individually. For around 23% of consumers, checking this comes first. |
| Type of chocolate | Check the variety name and, if stated, the minimum percentage of cocoa solids. | When putting together treats, I mainly want to choose which chocolate flavour to offer. Around 15% of consumers give flavour the greatest consideration. |
Common mistakes
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Mistaking a large pack for a multipack of portions
A larger pack won't automatically give you individual treats. According to Albert Heijn and Jumbo, the small packs mentioned each contain eight portions, so even one of those packs won't fill 24 compartments.
First count the compartments you plan to fill and decide how much chocolate sprinkles you want in each one. Then choose individual portions or divide a larger pack yourself.
Portioning them yourself takes time to prepare and requires suitable small containers.
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Relying on ‘milk’ or ‘dark’ when checking allergens
The exact ingredients vary by variety. Albert Heijn lists milk, lactose and soya among the ingredients in Venz Hagelslag; for De Ruijter Specials Intens Puur, it states that the product may contain milk protein and lactose.
Read the current label for every flavour you choose, especially if you’re sharing a mixed pack with others.
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Assuming the rusks contain iodine
According to the Voedingscentrum, bakers are not required to use baker’s salt. You can’t tell whether it has been used in a product just from the combination of rusks and chocolate sprinkles.
If you want to know whether the rusks you’ve chosen contain baker’s salt, check the label or ask the baker.
Brands to consider
De Ruijter
Worth considering if you’re comparing individual portions or an intensely dark chocolate sprinkles variety.
- According to Albert Heijn, Kleintjes contains eight portions with different toppings; Specials Intens Puur lists at least 52% cocoa solids.
- One pack of Kleintjes won’t fill a calendar with 24 individual compartments. For a dark variety, check the allergens on the exact pack.
Venz
A brand to include when comparing milk chocolate sprinkles.
- For the milk variety reviewed, Albert Heijn lists a 400 g pack with 20 portions.
- That variety lists milk, lactose and soya; check the current pack before choosing it for others.
Jumbo
The own-label range includes both larger packs of chocolate sprinkles and an option with individual portions in the product information mentioned here.
- Jumbo lists 600 g packs of chocolate sprinkles and Strooi Mini's, with eight portions in a 140 g pack.
- A larger pack isn’t divided into calendar portions in advance, so you’ll need to measure out the amount you want yourself.
Albert Heijn
The product pages provide information to help you assess specific varieties of chocolate sprinkles and rusks.
- Individual product listings include details such as pack size, ingredients and allergens.
- Albert Heijn warns that product information can change, so it also recommends checking the packaging.
Chocolate sprinkles for regular use at Joybuy
This pack of chocolate sprinkles suits anyone who wants to portion some out for several occasions when eating rusks. Check whether you need individually wrapped portions for your Advent calendar instead.
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g'woon milk chocolate sprinkles with smileys, 600 g
For regular use or sharing, you can decide how much chocolate sprinkles to put on each rusk.
The pack contains 600 g. Check the ingredients and allergens on the pack you choose, and see whether you need individual portions for your calendar.
Frequently asked questions
Is one pack of individual portions enough for 24 Advent calendar compartments?
Not if you want to put one individual portion in each compartment. According to Albert Heijn, De Ruijter Kleintjes contains eight portions, and Jumbo says Strooi Mini's also contains eight. So you’ll need three of those packs for 24 compartments with one portion in each. Plan the rusks and any other items separately.
Should I check the allergens in dark chocolate sprinkles too?
Yes. Check the exact variety rather than relying on the word ‘dark’. Albert Heijn states that De Ruijter Specials Intens Puur may contain milk protein and lactose; read the current label before buying.
How should I plan to store chocolate sprinkles and rusks for several days?
Follow the storage instructions for both products and check the best-before dates on the packs. Jumbo recommends storing its Beschuit Naturel in a cool, dry, dark place; for other rusks or your chosen variety of chocolate sprinkles, check the specific storage instructions.
Do all rusks contain baker’s salt?
Don’t assume they do: according to the Voedingscentrum, bakers are not required to use baker’s salt. Check the label of the rusks you want to buy or ask the baker which ingredients they use.