Christmas shoppers planning ahead
You’re shopping for several breakfasts or brunches, so you’ll want to compare pack sizes with the amount you need.
Who are these options suitable for?
Families who want to serve breakfast quickly
You want to keep Christmas breakfast preparation to a minimum, so you’re considering ready-made rusks with chocolate sprinkles alongside separate ingredients.
Shoppers comparing labels
You’re choosing between milk and dark chocolate, or need to check the ingredients and allergens on the exact packs of both rusks and chocolate sprinkles.
What should you look for when choosing?
First, work out how many breakfasts or brunches you’re catering for and whether spreading the toppings yourself is practical. Then compare your preferred variety and the labels of all the products you’ll serve together.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Enough for several occasions | Compare the pack weight of the chocolate sprinkles with the amount of rusks you need. | If I want to serve rusks after the first Christmas breakfast too, I’ll want to work out in advance how much topping to buy. Around 40% of consumers give having enough in stock their highest priority. |
| Quick to serve | For ready-made rusks, check the number of pieces, the ingredients and the best-before date. | For a small Christmas gathering, I want to spend less time adding toppings and be able to serve straight away. Convenience comes first for around 30% of consumers. |
| Flavour and product type | Decide whether you want milk or dark chocolate sprinkles, and check whether the product is sprinkles or chocolate flakes. | If guests are expecting a particular variety, I don’t want to rely on the brand name alone. The preferred flavour or product type is the main concern for around 20% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the current labels on both the chocolate sprinkles and the rusks you’ve chosen. | If a guest needs to avoid an ingredient, I’ll want to check both packs before serving. For around 10% of consumers, checking the label is their top priority. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming dark chocolate sprinkles are dairy-free
The De Ruijter Chocoladehagel Puur 390 g shown by Albert Heijn lists milk and soya; the product information also mentions possible lactose. So the name of the chocolate variety doesn’t tell you enough about its allergens.
Read the ingredients and allergen information on the current pack of the exact chocolate sprinkles and the rusks you’ll serve with them.
-
Assuming all rusks are made with iodised baker’s salt
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt. So the product name ‘rusks’ doesn’t tell you which salt was used in that particular pack.
Check the ingredients of the rusks you’ve chosen if the type of salt used matters to you.
Brands to consider
Jumbo
Jumbo’s own brand is worth considering if you want to serve rusks with a larger pack of chocolate sprinkles.
- Jumbo offers milk and dark chocolate sprinkles in 600 g packs.
- The milk variety lists milk as an allergen; check the label of the variety you choose.
De Ruijter
De Ruijter is worth considering if you’re looking for a particular milk or dark chocolate variety to sprinkle over rusks yourself.
- The milk and dark varieties reviewed each come in a 390 g pack.
- The dark variety reviewed lists milk and soya and mentions possible lactose; check the label on the exact pack.
Venz
Venz offers another brand option if you want to choose the flavour of the chocolate sprinkles for your Christmas breakfast.
- The range reviewed included a 400 g pack of milk chocolate sprinkles.
- Check the product type, ingredients and allergens for each variety.
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn is a convenient place to shop if you want to choose rusks and chocolate sprinkles in one trip.
- Its online range includes own-brand chocolate sprinkles and several types of rusks.
- Albert Heijn notes that ingredients, nutritional values and allergen information can change; check the current packaging.
Mister CHOC (Lidl)
Mister CHOC is a Lidl option if you’re looking for chocolate sprinkles to serve with separate rusks.
- Lidl’s range includes milk, dark and mixed varieties.
- Check the pack of your chosen variety for its contents, ingredients and allergens.
Chocolate sprinkles to serve with rusks
These Joybuy products are chocolate sprinkles or chocolate flakes sold separately. Choose your rusks separately, and when pairing them, consider your preferred product type, pack size and labels.
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Venz milk chocolate sprinkles, 400 g
A branded option if you want to serve milk chocolate sprinkles with rusks.
Check the current pack for allergen information.
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g'woon milk chocolate sprinkles with smileys, 600 g
A larger pack if you want to top rusks for several occasions.
Check the label of this variety for ingredients and allergens.
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De Ruijter dark chocolate sprinkles, 390 g
An option if you specifically want dark chocolate sprinkles for your rusks.
Check the current pack for allergen information, even with this dark variety.
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g'woon milk chocolate flakes, 300 g
If you’d rather serve rusks with chocolate flakes than sprinkles.
Bear in mind that this is a different product type, and check the label.
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g'woon dark chocolate sprinkles, 400 g
If you’re looking for a dark variety to sprinkle over rusks yourself.
The ‘dark’ description doesn’t replace checking the ingredients and allergens on the pack.
Frequently asked questions
Is a large pack of chocolate sprinkles always a good choice for Christmas?
No. A larger pack makes most sense if you want to top rusks for several breakfasts or brunches. Work out how much you need, then choose your preferred milk or dark variety.
Do I need to check allergens in dark chocolate sprinkles too?
Yes. The De Ruijter Chocoladehagel Puur 390 g shown by Albert Heijn lists milk and soya and mentions possible lactose. Before serving, read the current packaging for both the chocolate sprinkles and the rusks.
Are all rusks made with iodised baker’s salt?
You can’t tell from the product name. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt, so check the ingredients of the specific rusks if the type of salt used matters to you.
How should I store chocolate sprinkles until Christmas breakfast?
Follow the storage advice and best-before information on the pack you’ve chosen. Store it as directed and seal it securely after opening.