Which type of chocolate is right for you?

Cookie bakers mixing chocolate into the dough

If you’re following a chocolate chip cookie recipe, check which type of chocolate it specifies. Albert Heijn Allerhande’s recipe uses chocolate drops mixed into the dough before baking.

Bakers who want to decorate their cookies

If you want to add a visible topping to cookies or other bakes after they come out of the oven, chocolate sprinkles are a suitable option. Choose a variety to match the flavour and look you’re after.

Home cooks comparing varieties and labels

The stated cocoa content, ingredients and allergens can differ between dark, milk and mixed sprinkles. Compare the specific packs you’re considering.

What should you look for when choosing?

First, decide whether the chocolate needs to go into the cookie dough or is intended as a finishing touch. Then choose a type of sprinkles and check the label on that pack.

What to consider What to look for Who it matters to
Type of chocolate Check whether the recipe mixes chocolate drops into the dough or uses sprinkles as a topping. If the chocolate is going into my cookie dough before baking, I want to use the type specified in the recipe. This is the top priority for around 45% of consumers.
Flavour and appearance Compare dark, milk and mixed varieties. If a cocoa percentage is given, check which variety or component of a mix it refers to. For a decorative finish, I want to choose a flavour and colour contrast that suit my cookies. This is the main priority for around 33% of consumers.
Packaging and allergens Check the ingredients, allergens and any ‘may contain’ warning on the current packaging. If I’m decorating cookies for other people, I want to check what’s in the sprinkles I choose. Around 22% of consumers put this label check first.

Common mistakes when choosing sprinkles for cookies

  • Buying sprinkles when the recipe calls for drops

    Albert Heijn Allerhande’s chocolate chip cookie recipe mixes chocolate drops into the dough before baking. Sprinkles are described mainly as a topping or decoration, so they aren’t automatically interchangeable in the same recipe.

    Read the method before you choose. Use chocolate drops if the recipe specifies them for the dough, and choose sprinkles when you want to decorate your cookies.

  • Assuming ‘dark’ means allergen-free

    According to Jumbo’s product information, De Ruijter Vlokken Puur contains soya and may contain milk. Albert Heijn lists milk and lactose for AH Pure chocoladevlokken.

    For every variety you choose, check the current ingredients list, allergen information and any warnings about possible traces.

  • Confusing a box of chocolates with baking sprinkles

    Chocolate sprinkles are decorative toppings or bread toppings that can also be used to finish baked goods. A box of chocolates is a different product from sprinkles for decorating cookies.

    Decide whether you’re looking for a gift or chocolate for a baking recipe. For the latter, look for the type of product specified by the recipe or required for the finish you want.

Brands with relevant sprinkles to compare

Jumbo and Albert Heijn stock a range of dark, milk and mixed sprinkles to compare. The details below apply to the varieties mentioned, not every product from each brand.

De Ruijter

Dark, milk and other varieties of sprinkles for comparing different finishes.

  • According to Jumbo’s product information, De Ruijter Royaal Chocoladevlokken contain at least 40% cocoa solids.
  • Ingredients and allergens vary by variety; according to Jumbo, De Ruijter Vlokken Puur contains soya and may contain milk.

Jumbo

Own-brand dark, milk and duo varieties for different flavours and finishes.

  • According to Jumbo, Duo Vlokken Mix consists of 50% chocolate sprinkles and 50% white sprinkles.
  • The duo mix has different ingredients from a dark variety. Compare the ingredients lists if that difference matters to you.

Albert Heijn

Own-brand sprinkles, including dark and mixed varieties, to compare pack by pack.

  • AH Pure chocoladevlokken are a dark variety for anyone looking for that flavour in a topping.
  • Albert Heijn lists milk and lactose as allergen information for this dark variety, so don’t rely on the word ‘dark’ alone.

Choca

Choca Vlokken and Choca Vlokmix feature in the sprinkles ranges at Jumbo and Albert Heijn.

  • A sprinkles variety and a mix give you two types of product to compare.
  • Check the ingredients and allergens on the pack you choose.

Venz

Flavour combinations for anyone considering a mixed topping.

  • Jumbo and Albert Heijn’s ranges include Tijgervlokken melk & vanille and Krokovlokken puur & vanille.
  • Check the pack for the specific variety’s ingredients, allergens and usage instructions.

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Frequently asked questions

Can I mix chocolate sprinkles into cookie dough instead of chocolate drops?

Don’t assume they’re a like-for-like replacement. Albert Heijn Allerhande’s chocolate chip cookie recipe uses chocolate drops mixed into the dough before baking, while sprinkles are described mainly as a topping or decoration. Use the type of chocolate specified in your recipe.

How do I compare the cocoa content of dark sprinkles?

Compare the percentage shown on the specific pack. According to Jumbo’s product information, De Ruijter Royaal Chocoladevlokken contain at least 40% cocoa solids, while Jumbo Chocolade Vlokken Puur contain at least 35%. Those percentages alone won’t tell you which flavour you’ll prefer.

How should I store opened chocolate sprinkles?

Follow the storage advice on the packaging and seal the pack after use. Some product pages advise storing them in a cool, dry, dark place; check the date on your pack, too.

Are dark chocolate sprinkles automatically milk-free?

No, the word ‘dark’ isn’t enough to tell you that. Jumbo says De Ruijter Vlokken Puur may contain milk, and Albert Heijn lists milk and lactose for AH Pure chocoladevlokken. Check the current packaging; according to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, allergens are listed in the ingredients list.

Are chocolate sprinkles the same as a box of chocolates?

No. Chocolate sprinkles are decorative toppings that can be used in various ways, while a box of chocolates is a different product category. For decorating cookies, look for sprinkles; to mix chocolate into the dough, use the type specified in your recipe.