People comparing fibre and sugars
If you want a slice of Dutch spiced cake as a sweet addition to lunch, compare the nutritional values per portion instead of relying on words such as ‘wholemeal’ or ‘dark’.
Who might find this choice useful?
Cocoa flavour fans
If you’re looking for a distinct chocolate or cocoa note, you could also consider a Dutch spiced cake bar. Check the ingredients and, if a high cocoa content is essential, the stated cocoa percentage.
People who read ingredients carefully
If you need to avoid rye, gluten, milk or nuts, or want to keep an eye on polyols, the label for the specific variety is what matters. Ingredients and warnings can vary from product to product.
What should you look for when choosing?
Start by choosing Dutch spiced cake for lunch according to what matters most to you: nutritional values, cocoa flavour or suitable ingredients. Then compare products using the same quantity, as well as the portion you actually plan to eat.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this most important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Fibre and sugars | Compare fibre and sugars per 100 g and per planned portion; check added sugars separately. | If I have Dutch spiced cake with lunch, I want to know how much fibre and sugar is in my slice. For around 42% of these consumers, this is the main consideration. |
| Cocoa flavour | Look for cocoa or chocolate ingredients and check for a stated cocoa percentage if that’s important to your choice. | I’m looking for a pronounced cocoa note and don’t mind a bar format if a traditional slice doesn’t meet my taste preference. For roughly 33% of these consumers, flavour is the deciding factor. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the current ingredients list and allergen information, including any polyols, rye and ‘may contain’ warnings. | What matters most to me is whether the specific Dutch spiced cake fits with the ingredients I avoid; flavour and nutritional values come second. Around 25% of these consumers put this check first. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming ‘wholemeal’ means ‘low in sugar’
PLUS lists 34.1 g of sugars and 5.7 g of fibre per 100 g for its Wholemeal Dutch Spiced Cake. So the name alone won’t tell you how much sugar is in a portion.
Compare total sugars, any added sugars and fibre on the label, both per 100 g and per portion.
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Assuming ‘dark’ means a high cocoa content
Peijnenburg Tussendoor+ Choco lists chocolate and cocoa ingredients, but that doesn’t confirm a high cocoa percentage. A dark colour or product name doesn’t indicate the percentage either.
If a high cocoa content is essential, look for an explicit percentage on the packaging.
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Overlooking sweeteners and portion sizes
Zero varieties containing xylitol or other polyols may carry a warning about a laxative effect if consumed in excess, as is the case with the Albert Heijn and Snelle Jelle products described here.
Read the ingredients and warnings for the variety you’ve chosen, and bear in mind how much you plan to eat.
Brands to compare
Peijnenburg
Alongside traditional Dutch spiced cake, the range includes a wholemeal variety with no added sugars and individually wrapped Tussendoor+ Choco bars.
- Peijnenburg lists 4.7 g of fibre and 1.4 g of sugars per 28 g slice for its wholemeal variety. The Choco bar lists chocolate and cocoa ingredients.
- The nutritional values for the wholemeal slice don’t tell you anything about those of the Choco bar. If you’re looking for a cocoa flavour, check the ingredients of the specific variety too.
Albert Heijn
AH Ontbijtkoek zero gesneden is an option for anyone looking to compare sliced Dutch spiced cake sweetened with a sweetener.
- Albert Heijn lists 0 g of added sugars and 16 g of fibre per 100 g for this variety.
- This variety contains xylitol and rye. The nutritional values and ingredients listed don’t indicate a cocoa flavour; check the current packaging.
PLUS
The range includes sliced Zero and Wholemeal Dutch spiced cake, so you can compare their nutritional information side by side.
- PLUS lists 0 g of added sugars and 15.6 g of fibre per 100 g for its Zero variety.
- PLUS Wholemeal lists 34.1 g of sugars and 5.7 g of fibre per 100 g. So don’t take ‘wholemeal’ to mean low in sugars.
Snelle Jelle
The range includes individually wrapped Kruidkoek Zero bars for anyone looking for a bar format.
- Product information for Kruidkoek Zero lists 17 g of fibre and 4.9 g of sugars per 100 g.
- This variety contains xylitol and carries a warning about excessive consumption. These details don’t automatically apply to other Snelle Jelle bars.
Dutch spiced cake to take on the go from Joybuy
This Dutch spiced cake bar is an option if you’re looking for a handy addition to lunch. If you specifically want a cocoa flavour, check the current ingredients for this variety first.
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Snelle Jelle Breakfast Cake Less Sugar-Free 250g
A bar you can take with you as a sweet addition to lunch. The product name states that the pack contains 250 g; compare fibre and sugars using the portion information on the current packaging. If cocoa, rye, milk or nuts are important to your choice, check the ingredients and allergens too.
Frequently asked questions
Does dark Dutch spiced cake automatically contain more cocoa or less sugar?
No. A dark colour or the word ‘dark’ in the name won’t tell you how much cocoa or sugar a product contains. Check the ingredients, any stated cocoa percentage and the nutritional information for the specific Dutch spiced cake or bar.
What should I look for in Dutch spiced cake with no added sugars?
Check the total sugars, portion size and sweeteners used too. Albert Heijn lists 22 g of polyols per 100 g for AH Ontbijtkoek zero and, like the product information for Snelle Jelle Kruidkoek Zero, warns of a possible laxative effect if consumed in excess.
Is the Dutch spiced cake mentioned suitable if I need to avoid gluten?
Don’t assume it is: the standard and zero varieties described may contain rye, and some products also list other gluten-containing grains. Always check the current label for the exact product you’re considering.
Can I tell how much iodine it contains from the name Dutch spiced cake?
No. The product name doesn’t tell you the iodine content or what type of salt has been used. If you need this information to make your choice, ask the manufacturer about the ingredients of the specific Dutch spiced cake.