Those preparing Easter lunch who want to add their own toppings
You want to pair a crisp toast base with chocolate sprinkles or chocolate spread. Serving them separately means you can top the toast just before eating.
Who are the different options for?
Shoppers checking ingredients and allergens
You assess the toast and chocolate topping separately. Information on one pack doesn’t automatically apply to the finished snack.
Anyone looking for a ready-to-eat sweet biscuit
You want something sweet to have with coffee or as a little dessert, without having to top toast. A chocolate biscuit fits the bill, but it isn’t toast.
What should you look for when choosing?
Toast with a chocolate topping
Choose this: if you want to put together toast with your own toppings for Easter lunch.
Bear in mind: the chocolate is a separate product that you’ll need to add to the toast.
Chocolate biscuit
Choose this: if you want to serve a sweet biscuit without having to top it first.
Bear in mind: a biscuit isn’t a substitute for a toast base you can top yourself.
Warm chocolate toast
Choose this: if you want to prepare a warm dish rather than serve packaged toast.
Bear in mind: Lidl’s recipe requires a toaster and time to prepare.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Adding your own toppings | Choose a toast base you can top, and decide whether you want to use chocolate sprinkles or a spreadable topping. | If you want to arrange the lunch yourself, you’ll want to add chocolate to each piece of toast individually. Flexibility is the top priority for around 33% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Check the latest ingredients and allergen information for both the toast and the chocolate product. | If I’m serving guests with a food allergy, I want to be able to assess both products. This check matters most to around 42% of consumers. |
| A different way to serve | Check whether you’re choosing toast you can top, a biscuit that’s ready to serve, or a dish that still needs to be prepared. | If you’d rather put out a sweet biscuit than top pieces of toast, convenience is likely to be your main concern; warm chocolate toast, on the other hand, needs preparation. The way it’s served is the main consideration for around 25% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
-
Mistaking a chocolate biscuit for toast
Bolletje Chonelly is a biscuit covered in milk chocolate. A biscuit doesn’t give you the same base for adding your own topping as Melba toast does.
Check the product description: choose toast if you want to add your own chocolate topping, and a biscuit if you want to serve a biscuit.
-
Checking only the toast label
Toast and chocolate toppings each have their own ingredients and allergen information. Information on the toast packaging doesn’t automatically apply to the combination.
Before buying, check the latest labels for both products and look out for warnings about possible traces of allergens.
-
Assuming all toast contains iodine
The toast category doesn’t tell you which type of salt has been used in a particular product. The Dutch Bakery Centre states that using iodine-fortified baker’s salt isn’t a general legal requirement.
If the type of salt matters to your choice, check the ingredients list of the product you’re considering.
Brands and shops to consider
Van der Meulen / Melba Toast
Melba toast makes a good base if you want to add the chocolate yourself.
- The ingredients list for Van der Meulen Melba Toast Naturel includes wheat flour, barley malt flour and soya lecithin.
- This plain variety isn’t already covered in chocolate; check the topping you choose separately.
Bolletje
Bolletje Chonelly shows why it’s important to distinguish between a chocolate biscuit and toast you can top yourself.
- Albert Heijn describes Chonelly as a biscuit with Belgian milk chocolate.
- Don’t choose this if you’re looking for a toast base that guests can top themselves.
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn stocks both plain Melba toast and separate chocolate sprinkles for bread or toast.
- Buying toast and Jacques Matinettes as separate products lets you combine them yourself.
- Check the ingredients and allergens on both packs; the chocolate sprinkles don’t come ready-topped on the toast.
Jumbo
Jumbo lists toast and chocolate spread as separate product categories for anyone who wants to make their own combination.
- The toast range includes products such as Van der Meulen Melba Toast Naturel, while chocolate spread is sold separately.
- For each toast and topping you choose, check the product description, ingredients and packaging.
ALDI
ALDI lists Melba toast and chocolate biscuits as different types of product.
- Melba toast can be used as a base if you want to add your own chocolate topping.
- BISCOTTO chocolate biscuits are butter biscuits with chocolate, not toast you can top yourself.
Products for toast, toppings or biscuits
These products suit two different options for Easter lunch: putting together toast with a chocolate topping, or serving a chocolate biscuit instead. The toast base and topping are separate products; the biscuit isn’t toast.
Image unavailable
Delverde Classic Melba Toast, 100 g
A Melba toast base for anyone who wants to put together their own chocolate-topped toast for Easter lunch. This isn’t toast that’s already covered in chocolate; choose a topping separately and check the latest ingredients and allergen information.
Image unavailable
De Ruijter Pure Chocolate Sprinkles, 390 g
A separate chocolate topping for anyone who wants to top their own toast. You’ll also need a toast base; check the latest packaging for both products for ingredients and allergens.
Image unavailable
LU Scholiertje milk chocolate biscuits, 150 g
A biscuit option if you want to serve something sweet instead of topping your own toast. These are biscuits, not a toast base; check the latest packaging for ingredients and allergens.
Frequently asked questions
Is a chocolate biscuit the same as chocolate-topped toast?
No. According to Albert Heijn, Bolletje Chonelly is a biscuit with milk chocolate, while Melba toast is a base you can top yourself. Choose a biscuit for a sweet treat, or toast with a separate chocolate topping if you want to serve toast that guests can top themselves.
When should I add the chocolate topping to the toast?
Add the topping just before serving if you want the toast to stay crisp for as long as possible. Until then, store the toast and chocolate topping according to the instructions on their respective packaging.
Which labels should I check for chocolate-topped toast?
Check the labels on both the toast and the chocolate topping. Look at the ingredients, listed allergens and any warnings about traces; the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains how allergens are shown on food labels.
Can I choose a chocolate topping based only on its cocoa percentage?
No. The cocoa percentage doesn’t tell you which ingredients and allergens are in the finished piece of toast. Compare the packaging for the chocolate topping with that of the toast, and choose a combination that suits what you want to serve.