Who is this choice relevant to?

Bakers with a strict sugar-free requirement

You’re looking for a decoration for biscuits where ‘sugar-free’ is a must, not just ‘less sugar’. The nutrition claim and the amount of sugars per 100 g are what matter.

Home bakers who want to use aniseed sprinkles

You want to use recognisable, sweetened aniseed sprinkles as a decoration. If sugar-free isn’t a requirement, you could consider regular crushed aniseed sprinkles.

Bakers who need to avoid wheat or gluten

You check the ingredients and allergen information before baking for someone else. Albert Heijn lists wheat starch in the regular De Ruijter variety.

What should you look for when choosing?

First decide whether sugar-free is an absolute requirement. Then you can compare suitable decorations by aniseed flavour, texture and allergens.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters most to
Sugar-free Check the ‘sugar-free’ claim and the amount of sugars per 100 g. Under EU rules on nutrition claims, the limit for solid products is no more than 0.5 g per 100 g. If sugar-free is a must for my biscuits, I don’t want to rely on phrases such as ‘sugar-conscious’. This is the top priority for around 50% of consumers.
Aniseed flavour and decoration Compare the flavour description and shape of the sprinkles; try a small amount on biscuits to see if you like the look. For festive biscuits, I mainly want to keep the familiar aniseed flavour and visible sprinkles, even if the decoration is sweetened. This is the top priority for around 30% of consumers.
Wheat and gluten Read the current ingredients and allergen information. Albert Heijn lists wheat starch in regular De Ruijter Gestampte Muisjes. If I’m baking for someone who needs to avoid wheat or gluten, the allergen information determines which decoration I can use. This is the first consideration for around 20% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Reading ‘less sugar’ as ‘sugar-free’

    These terms aren’t interchangeable. Under EU rules on nutrition claims, ‘sugar-free’ means no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g or 100 ml.

    For a solid biscuit decoration, check both the exact claim and the amount of sugars per 100 g.

  • Judging by the product name

    According to Jumbo’s product information, regular De Ruijter Gestampte Muisjes contains 79 g of sugars per 100 g. The name ‘Gestampte Muisjes’ alone doesn’t tell you whether it’s suitable for a sugar-free choice.

    Compare the ingredients and nutrition information on the specific pack before choosing a decoration.

  • Checking allergens only after buying

    Albert Heijn lists wheat starch in the ingredients of regular De Ruijter Gestampte Muisjes. This matters if wheat or gluten needs to be avoided.

    Check the current ingredients and allergen information on the pack every time you buy it.

  • Skipping the decision about when to add the decoration

    A decoration for cakes may not look the same at every stage of the biscuit-baking process.

    Try a small batch first to see whether adding it before or after baking gives you the look you want.

Relevant brand for reference

De Ruijter

Albert Heijn and Jumbo list De Ruijter Gestampte Muisjes as a regular, sweetened aniseed decoration, sold in a 270 g pack.

  • The aniseed sprinkles described are a good match for anyone looking for a traditional flavour and decoration.
  • Jumbo lists 79 g of sugars per 100 g; Albert Heijn includes wheat starch in the ingredients. This regular variety isn’t suitable if you have a strict sugar-free requirement or need to avoid wheat.

Products on Joybuy

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

When can a biscuit decoration be called ‘sugar-free’?

Under EU rules on nutrition claims, ‘sugar-free’ can only be used if a product contains no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g or 100 ml. For a solid decoration, check the claim and the amount of sugars per 100 g; ‘less sugar’ doesn’t mean the same thing.

Is regular De Ruijter Gestampte Muisjes sugar-free?

No. Jumbo lists 79 g of sugars per 100 g for regular De Ruijter Gestampte Muisjes, while Albert Heijn lists sugar as the first ingredient.

Can I use crushed aniseed sprinkles on homemade biscuits?

You could consider regular crushed aniseed sprinkles as a biscuit decoration if sugar-free isn’t a requirement; retailers also suggest using them to decorate other baked goods. Try a small batch to see when to add them for the look and texture you want.

Is regular De Ruijter Gestampte Muisjes gluten-free?

No, don’t assume that the regular variety is gluten-free: Albert Heijn lists wheat starch and identifies wheat and cereals containing gluten in the allergen information. Always check the current packaging before use.