The organiser who wants guests to help themselves
Individually wrapped chocolates can mean less serving to do. Check how many portions are in the pack, though, and read the allergen information before putting anything out for all your guests.
Who is each option best suited to?
The person giving a small birthday present
For this choice, presentation and variety of flavours matter more than making it easy for a large group to help themselves. An assorted box therefore serves a different purpose from a bowl of snacks.
The organiser who also wants to serve something that can be sliced
Dutch breakfast cake can be served alongside chocolate, or instead of it, if a cake you can slice suits your drinks get-together. It’s not a box of chocolates, so check its ingredients and allergens separately.
What should you consider when choosing?
First decide whether you’re buying mainly for a gift, for guests to help themselves, or as a cake to slice. Then compare the size and label of the specific product you plan to buy.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who does this matter to? |
|---|---|---|
| Ease of serving | Check the number of portions and whether each piece is individually wrapped. | If guests need to be able to help themselves, I don’t want to have to stop and slice or hand things out. For around 40% of consumers, ease of serving matters most. |
| Gift and choice of flavours | Check the packaging and which varieties of chocolate are inside. | For a small birthday present, I’m looking for a box that can be given as a gift and offers a choice of flavours. This is the main priority for around 30% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the label for the exact product, including if you’re switching from chocolate to Dutch breakfast cake. | If I need to take ingredients or allergies into account, I can’t simply serve Dutch breakfast cake as an alternative to chocolate. This is the main concern for around 30% of consumers. |
Pitfalls to avoid when choosing
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Assuming Dutch breakfast cake is a direct replacement for a box of chocolates
A cake you can slice doesn’t offer the same presentation, choice of flavours or serving style as an assortment of chocolates or individually wrapped chocolates.
Start by choosing what you need it for: a gift, self-service or a snack to slice.
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Serving a mixed box of chocolates without checking the label
The assorted products described contain, or may contain, a range of allergens. A mix with several flavours won’t automatically be suitable for every guest.
Read the ingredients and allergen information on the exact packaging. If anyone has a known allergy, provide an alternative that you’ve checked separately.
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Assuming Dutch breakfast cake contains iodine because it may use baker’s salt
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt. So you can’t tell whether Dutch breakfast cake contains iodine just from the type of product.
Base any statements about ingredients or nutritional value solely on the information for the specific product you choose.
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Assuming a different pack size or variety is equivalent
A different weight or assortment may also mean a different number of portions and different ingredients. Albert Heijn also marked the Droste Geschenkdoos Assortis described here as discontinued on its product page.
Before buying, check which variety is available, then compare its size and label again.
Brands to consider
These examples show how gift boxes, sharing portions and a cake you can slice differ from one another. A brand name alone doesn’t tell you anything about the ingredients of a different product.
Merci
The Finest Selection described by Albert Heijn is an assortment of 20 individually wrapped chocolates, making it a gift that can also be shared.
- Individual wrappers make it easy to offer the chocolates separately.
- The variety described contains milk, hazelnut, almond and soya, among other ingredients, and may also contain peanuts and egg. Check the label on the box you choose.
Tony's Chocolonely
Albert Heijn describes the Rainbow mix as mini chocolates for sharing; the pack described contains 15 pieces.
- The mini size suits guests who want to help themselves to a piece.
- Several allergens are listed for the mix described, including milk, egg, soya and nuts. Check the pack you choose before serving.
Droste
The Geschenkdoos Assortis described combines milk, dark and white chocolate, making it an option for anyone looking for a box with a variety of types.
- The combination of chocolate types offers a choice within one gift box.
- Albert Heijn marked this variety as discontinued on its product page. Check current availability and the label on any variety you find.
Peijnenburg
The plain variety described is Dutch breakfast cake: a separate snack option, not an assortment of chocolates.
- The manufacturer lists rye flour as an ingredient in this variety.
- According to the manufacturer, this variety may contain milk, hazelnuts, almonds and other cereals containing gluten, among other ingredients. Check the label before serving the cake to guests.
Chocolate options at Joybuy
These products are chocolate options for a small gift or to share during drinks. An assortment of chocolates, a bar divided into portions and a wafer snack don’t necessarily serve the same purpose. Choose according to how you want to serve them, and check the packaging.
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Nestle Kitkat Strawberry Short Cake, 9 pieces, 104.4 g
An option if you want to offer chocolate wafers in small portions rather than an assorted box. Check the type of chocolate on the packaging: the product description gives conflicting information about this. If you have allergies, read the current label.
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Merci Petits Chocolate Collection, 125 g
A chocolate collection to consider if you’re mainly looking for a small gift with a choice of flavours. If guests need to help themselves, check how many pieces are included and whether they’re individually wrapped. Read the label on the exact box for allergen information.
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Lindt Lindor Cornet Assorted, 200 g
An assortment for anyone who wants to offer or give a selection of chocolate varieties. If you’re buying for a group, check how many pieces are in the pack and read the allergen information for this variety.
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Milka Chocolate Assortment Party Pack, 143 g
An assortment of chocolates to consider if you’re looking for something to share during drinks. If self-service matters, check how many pieces are included and whether they’re individually wrapped. Also read the allergen information.
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Kahve Dunyasi Gofrik Pistachio Paste Milk Chocolate, 10 × 12.5 g
A chocolate wafer snack for anyone who wants to hand out portions rather than give a traditional assorted box as a gift. The product description mentions pistachio; before serving, check the full allergen information on the current label.
Frequently asked questions
Should I check the allergen label on a box of chocolates for a drinks get-together?
Yes. Check the label on the exact pack before serving the chocolate. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains that allergens must be listed on the labels of pre-packed foods; ingredients can vary between products.
Is a mixed box of chocolates suitable for all guests?
No, a mix isn’t automatically suitable for everyone. The Celebrations mix described by Jumbo lists milk, peanuts, wheat, egg and soya among its allergens. Check the exact packaging and take account of any allergies your guests have told you about.
Does baker’s salt mean Dutch breakfast cake contains iodine?
You can’t tell that from the name Dutch breakfast cake. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says that bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt. Check the packaging of the variety you choose for its ingredients and nutritional information.
How should I store chocolate until the birthday drinks?
Follow the storage instructions on the exact packaging. Albert Heijn says to store the Tony's Chocolonely Rainbow mix described in a cool, dry, dark place, but not in the fridge. For the Merci Finest Selection described, it advises protecting the chocolate from heat.