Home bakers using a dry topping
Want to scatter crushed aniseed sprinkles over pepernoten without putting them in a bottle? Sprinkle them on separately, and use a squeeze bottle only if you’re also adding a suitable liquid decoration.
Who is this relevant to?
Decorating small batches
A small dispensing bottle can be handy for adding lines or dots of liquid decoration. A capacity of around 200 ml is ideal when you’re only using a little at a time.
Bakers dispensing several batches
If you’re using more batter or liquid decoration, consider a larger capacity to reduce the need for refills. With batter, also check that its consistency will pass through the opening.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether you want to sprinkle on the dry aniseed sprinkles or dispense a liquid ingredient. Only then do the nozzle and bottle capacity become useful factors to consider.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Dry or liquid | Sprinkle on dry aniseed sprinkles separately; if using a bottle, check that the contents you want to dispense are liquid or semi-liquid. | If I mainly want to scatter the sprinkles themselves, I don’t want to choose a bottle for something it isn’t designed for. This suitability is the top priority for around 45% of consumers. |
| Dispensing control | Check the nozzle and make sure the bottle is intended for food contact. | For small lines or dots, I want to apply liquid decoration precisely. Around 33% of consumers give this the highest priority. |
| Capacity | Choose a capacity to suit how much you use in each session, and allow for refilling and cleaning. | When I’m making several batches, I don’t want to keep refilling, but I don’t want to clean an unnecessarily large bottle either. This consideration matters most to around 22% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Buying a squeeze bottle for dry aniseed sprinkles
Albert Heijn describes De Ruijter Crushed Aniseed Sprinkles as dry, sugar-coated aniseed. Baktotaal, by contrast, describes squeeze bottles as being for liquid or semi-liquid decoration. A narrow nozzle therefore isn’t an obvious way to dispense the sprinkles themselves.
Use the bottle for a suitable liquid ingredient and scatter the sprinkles over the pepernoten separately.
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Looking only at the bottle’s capacity
A larger capacity doesn’t tell you whether thick batter or icing will pass easily through the opening.
Check what the bottle is designed for and, if in doubt, try a small amount of your mixture first.
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Using any old plastic bottle for food
A bottle for edible decorations must be intended for food contact. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority sets out the requirements that apply to these types of products in the Netherlands.
Check the product information for food-contact suitability and follow the instructions for use and cleaning.
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Forgetting about allergens in the topping
De Ruijter Crushed Aniseed Sprinkles lists wheat and cereals containing gluten. This is important if you’re baking for someone who avoids gluten.
Check the current packaging before serving and take care to avoid cross-contamination during preparation.
Relevant brands to consider
HENDI
HENDI offers dispensing bottles for kitchen use, including transparent 0.2 L and 0.7 L versions.
- HENDI lists a narrow nozzle, cap and wide filling opening among the features of these bottles.
- The stated uses include sauces and dressings, not dispensing dry crushed aniseed sprinkles directly.
Patisse
Patisse lists a poffertjes batter dispenser, item 02021, with a capacity of 350 ml.
- As it’s designed for batter, it’s worth considering for mixtures that can be dispensed.
- Check that the opening is suitable for the consistency of the batter you want to use.
De Ruijter
De Ruijter is the topping brand featured here: Crushed Aniseed Sprinkles are dry, sugar-coated aniseed.
- The topping can be scattered over baked goods separately.
- This dry product isn’t a liquid filling for a standard squeeze bottle; also check the allergens on the current packaging.
Related products on Joybuy
Related products will be available soon.
Frequently asked questions
Can I dispense crushed aniseed sprinkles directly from a squeeze bottle?
A standard squeeze bottle isn’t suitable for this. The sprinkles are dry, whereas squeeze bottles are generally described as being for liquid or semi-liquid decorations. Scatter the topping on separately.
What bottle capacity is right for a small batch of pepernoten?
For a small amount of liquid decoration, you could consider a bottle of around 200 ml. A 350 ml batter dispenser may suit a larger quantity of batter that can be dispensed; only choose a bigger capacity if you’ll make use of it while baking.
Does a squeeze bottle for icing need to be suitable for food contact?
Yes. Choose a bottle designed to come into contact with food. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority states that products intended for food contact must meet certain requirements in the Netherlands. You should also follow the bottle’s instructions for use.
How should I store leftover liquid decoration?
Treat perishable, homemade decoration like any other prepared leftover: cool it quickly and store it in a sealed container in the fridge. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises not leaving leftovers out of the fridge for more than two hours and eating refrigerated leftovers within two days.
What should I check if someone avoids gluten?
Check the current packaging of the crushed aniseed sprinkles before using them. De Ruijter Crushed Aniseed Sprinkles lists wheat and cereals containing gluten; also take care to avoid cross-contamination during preparation.