Fair organiser making homemade bakes
You’re looking for a topping for cupcakes or biscuits and want to be able to clearly explain what each bake contains when selling it. Check in advance what rules the school has for treats and the fair.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Parent finishing lots of portions
You want enough chocolate sprinkles for a planned batch of bakes, without choosing a pack size before you know how much topping you’ll use on each one.
Organiser expecting questions about allergens
You want to be able to refer to the label on the variety you’ve bought and share the allergen information for the whole bake. The name ‘dark’ or a festive mix isn’t enough to do that.
What should you consider when choosing?
For homemade bakes at a school fair, school rules and allergen information should take priority over pack size and appearance. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre points out that a school’s food or celebration policy may set out what treats are allowed.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this most important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Allergens and school rules | Read the label on the chocolate sprinkles you choose, include the base bake in the allergen information, and check the school’s policy. | If I’m selling unpackaged bakes, I want to be able to answer questions about the ingredients before purchase. Around 42% of consumers would put this information first. |
| Quantity | Plan the number of bakes and the amount of topping per item, then compare pack weights. | For a larger batch of cupcakes, I want to have enough chocolate sprinkles ready without ending up with lots left over. Around 33% of consumers would focus mainly on the quantity needed. |
| Appearance and use | Choose a variety that suits the bake and decide how to keep the topping in place while it’s being packaged. | For a festively packaged biscuit, I care more about the finishing touch than a little box of chocolate sprinkles on its own. Around 25% of consumers would put presentation first. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming ‘dark’ means allergen-free
Albert Heijn’s product information lists milk and soya in Venz XXL dark chocolate sprinkles, and notes that lactose may be present. Mixes can contain allergens too; the information varies by variety.
Read the label on the exact pack you’ve bought, and include allergens from both the topping and the bake in the information you provide when selling it.
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Buying chocolate sprinkles before deciding on the gift
Chocolate sprinkles are a topping, not a ready-made selection of chocolates. Albert Heijn lists De Ruijter Hagelfeest for uses including cupcakes, but the finished bake and its packaging determine what the gift looks like.
First decide what you’re going to bake and how you’ll package it. Then choose the variety and pack size you need.
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Choosing a large pack without planning portions
Products from retailers including Jumbo and Albert Heijn come in 600 g packs. You could end up with chocolate sprinkles left over after a small school fair.
Make a test bake first and work out how much topping you’ll use on each item before choosing the total quantity.
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Only providing allergen information when someone asks
According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, allergen information for unpackaged foods must be available before purchase. You can provide it verbally only under certain conditions, including displaying a clear notice telling customers they can ask for it.
Make sure the information is accessible at the point of sale and that the person selling the bakes can answer questions straight away.
Brands to consider
These brands offer varieties that could suit different plans for school fair bakes. Always check the label on the variety you buy.
De Ruijter
The 390 g Hagelfeest mix is an option if you’re looking for a mixed topping for cupcakes.
- Albert Heijn suggests using Hagelfeest on cupcakes.
- The product information lists milk, soya, wheat and cereals containing gluten; check the label on the pack you buy.
Venz
Jumbo’s range includes Venz milk, dark, XXL and Rimboe varieties, among others.
- A particular flavour or shape could suit a bake where the topping will be visible.
- The Venz XXL dark variety listed by Albert Heijn contains milk and soya, and may contain lactose. Check the allergens for the exact variety.
AH
AH milk chocolate sprinkles, 600 g, are an option for a planned batch of similar bakes.
- The pack weight makes it easy to plan how much you’ll need.
- This milk variety contains milk and lactose.
Jumbo
Jumbo’s range includes milk, dark and duo chocolate sprinkles in 600 g packs.
- You can compare the flavour you want with the pack size you need.
- A product range overview is no substitute for checking the label on the variety you buy.
Kiekeboe (ALDI)
ALDI lists Kiekeboe varieties including milk, dark, mix and XXL; the dark variety comes in a 600 g pack.
- The 600 g pack could suit a larger batch of bakes that you’ve planned in advance.
- Check the ingredients and allergens on the pack you choose.
Lidl / Mister Choc
Lidl lists Mister Choc dark chocolate sprinkles in a 600 g pack, available to buy in store.
- The pack weight is useful when you’ve already worked out how much topping you’ll need.
- Check the ingredients and allergen information on the pack before buying.
Chocolate sprinkles for school fair bakes on Joybuy
These packs offer different sizes and styles of chocolate sprinkles to use as a topping on homemade bakes. Choose based on your recipe and the number of items you plan to make; always check the label on the pack you buy for allergen information.
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De Ruijter Flake Feast 200 g
A 200 g pack to consider if you’re looking for a topping for a small batch of bakes. Check the ingredients and allergens on the label before use.
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Venz Sprinkles Beer Milk Vanilla 380 g
An option to consider if the topping is going to be a visible part of your school fair bake. The pack contains 380 g; check the ingredients and allergens for this variety on the packaging.
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g'woon milk chocolate sprinkles with smileys 600 g
A pack to consider for a larger, planned batch of bakes where the topping will be visible. The pack contains 600 g; work out how much you’ll use on each item and check the label for allergen information.
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De Ruijter Chocolate Chunks 390 g
A 390 g chocolate variety to consider as a topping for your bakes. Check that it suits your recipe, and include the allergens from the pack you buy in the information you provide when selling your bakes.
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De Ruijter Hail Chocolate Pure 390 g
A 390 g dark chocolate variety to consider as a topping for school fair bakes. Don’t assume that ‘dark’ means it’s suitable for a particular diet: check the ingredients and allergens on the pack.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to provide allergen information for homemade cupcakes with chocolate sprinkles?
Yes. If you’re selling unpackaged cupcakes, allergen information must be available before purchase. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority allows written, electronic and, under certain conditions, verbal information. Include both the chocolate sprinkles and the other ingredients in the bake.
Is dark chocolate sprinkles automatically free from milk or lactose?
No. The name ‘dark’ is no substitute for checking the label. Albert Heijn lists milk and soya in Venz XXL dark chocolate sprinkles, and notes that lactose may be present, so check the exact variety you’re using.
Can I give chocolate sprinkles as a gift instead of a box of chocolates?
Not as the same kind of finished product: chocolate sprinkles are a topping. For a school fair gift, choose a suitable bake and its packaging first, then decide which chocolate sprinkles to use as a finishing touch.
When is a 600 g pack suitable for a school fair?
A 600 g pack is suitable if you’ve planned the quantity needed for a larger batch of bakes, or can use any leftover chocolate sprinkles. If you’re not sure, make a test bake first to work out how much topping to use on each item.
Can the school restrict sweet treats at the fair?
The rules for the fair depend on the school’s policy. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre explains how schools can set clear rules for treats in their food or celebration policy. Check what applies to your fair before you shop.