Bakers looking to decorate their bakes
Chocolate strands can be used as a topping for cupcakes, cakes and other bakes. Before buying, check that this finishing touch suits your recipe and the school’s rules.
Who are chocolate strands suitable for?
Chocolate strands are a good fit for a school fair when you’re using them as an ingredient or topping on baked goods. If you’re looking for a treat to hand out individually, you’ll need a different type of product.
Organisers who need to share allergen information
When selling unpackaged bakes, it’s important to know which ingredients and allergens are in both the topping and the rest of the recipe. Read the packaging for the variety you’re using and make that information available to buyers.
Buyers planning to decorate several bakes
If you’re planning to decorate a lot of items for sale, the net weight of a pack can help you work out how much you’ll need. Packs are available in sizes including 200 g and 300 g, and flavours and ingredients vary by variety.
What should you look for when buying?
First decide whether you’re looking for a topping for baked goods or something to hand out on its own. Then check what the school allows, and only then choose a variety and pack size.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this most important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Type of sale and school rules | Ask whether the school allows baked goods to be sold, and whether you need a topping or individual treats. | If I want to hand out individual gifts, a pack of chocolate strands won’t give me individually wrapped chocolate. For around 42% of consumers, choosing the right type of product for the sale comes first. |
| Allergens | Read the ingredients and allergen information on the packaging you’re using, and take the rest of the recipe into account too. | When I sell unpackaged cupcakes, I want to be able to tell buyers what’s in them. For around 33% of consumers, allergen information is the top priority. |
| Quantity | Compare the net weight with the number of bakes you want to decorate, and check the flavour variety you’ve chosen. | For a larger baking session, I want enough chocolate strands without opening more packs than necessary. Quantity is the main concern for around 25% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Mistaking chocolate strands for individually wrapped chocolates
Chocolate strands are used as a bread topping and to decorate bakes. So a pack of strands won’t automatically meet your needs if you want to give every visitor an individually wrapped treat.
Before buying, decide whether you want to decorate bakes or hand out individual treats. If you’re after individually wrapped chocolate, look for a product in that category.
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Assuming dark chocolate strands are milk-free
Albert Heijn’s product information lists milk and lactose in AH Pure chocolate strands. Jumbo lists soya and possible traces of milk for De Ruijter Royaal dark.
Check the allergen information for the exact variety on the packaging you’re using; the word ‘dark’ isn’t enough to tell you.
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Relying on a label you checked earlier
Ingredients and allergen information can change between products or packs. This matters if you’re preparing information for buyers in advance.
Read the packaging again when you’re ready to use the chocolate strands, and update the information about the recipe if needed.
Brands to compare
Compare specific varieties rather than relying on the brand name alone: pack size, flavour and allergen information can all vary.
De Ruijter
De Ruijter offers several varieties of chocolate strands, including milk, dark and mixed varieties for use as a topping.
- For its Royaal dark variety, Jumbo lists at least 40% cocoa solids.
- For this variety, Jumbo lists soya and possible traces of milk. Always check the label for other varieties too.
Albert Heijn
AH Pure chocolate strands are an own-brand option, sold in a 300 g pack.
- Albert Heijn’s product information lists at least 32% cocoa solids.
- This dark variety lists milk and lactose; check the current packaging for allergen information.
Jumbo
Jumbo offers dark and milk chocolate strands, among other varieties, in 300 g packs.
- For Jumbo Chocolade Vlokken Puur 300 g, Jumbo lists at least 35% cocoa solids.
- The ingredients in one variety don’t give you a definitive picture of another; check the allergen information on each pack.
PLUS
PLUS offers 300 g packs of dark chocolate strands with a Fairtrade label.
- The 300 g pack gives you a clear measure when planning how much topping you’ll need for several bakes.
- PLUS says product information can change; use the label on the pack you buy for ingredient and allergen details.
Kiekeboe (ALDI)
ALDI lists Kiekeboe chocolate strands in milk and dark varieties, both in 300 g packs.
- The two flavours give you a choice when decorating different bakes.
- Before baking, check the ingredients and allergen information for your chosen variety on the packaging.
Joybuy products
Related products coming soon.
Frequently asked questions
Can I sell bakes topped with chocolate strands at a school fair?
Ask the school or organisation concerned about the rules for the fair. Voedingscentrum explains that a food or celebration policy may set out what can and can’t be handed out as a treat; this doesn’t automatically determine what’s allowed at your fair.
How do I provide allergen information for unpackaged cupcakes?
Keep a record of the ingredients and allergens used in each recipe, so you can give buyers clear information before they buy. Check the packaging for both the chocolate strands and the other ingredients.
Are dark chocolate strands always milk-free?
No. Albert Heijn lists milk and lactose in AH Pure chocolate strands, while Jumbo mentions possible traces of milk in De Ruijter Royaal dark. Check the label on the specific pack.
Can I hand out a pack of chocolate strands as an individual gift?
A pack of chocolate strands isn’t the same as a box of individually wrapped chocolates. If you’re looking for individual gifts, choose a product that’s packaged for this purpose and check that it fits the school’s rules.