Who is this choice relevant to?

Fans of cocoa flavour

Looking for a breakfast cake with a hint of cocoa or chocolate for adults? Compare the listed ingredient and percentage. A dark-sounding name doesn’t tell you what the variety tastes like.

Shoppers looking to avoid added sugar

If you want a variety with no added sugar, check which sweeteners it contains too. According to Albert Heijn’s product information, Peijnenburg Zero Cacao contains xylitol and carries a warning about excessive consumption.

Families sharing snacks

If you’re buying for several snack times or for guests, check whether the breakfast cake is pre-sliced, what portion you want to serve and what the current packaging says about allergens.

What should you look for when choosing?

First decide what matters most to you: a cocoa or chocolate flavour, the sugar information or how easily you can share the snack. Then compare the labels of the varieties you can actually buy.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Cocoa or chocolate Compare the listed percentage of cocoa powder or chocolate, and see what other flavourings have been added. Don’t treat the two percentages as equivalent. I’m looking for a hint of cocoa for adults and want to know what’s behind a dark-sounding flavour name. For around 40% of consumers, this clear flavour profile would be the top priority.
Sugars and sweeteners Check sugars per 100 g and per portion. For a variety with no added sugar, also check the sweeteners and any usage warnings. If I want to serve this snack more often, I also want to know what else is on the label alongside the sugar claim. Around 30% of consumers would put sugars and sweeteners first.
Portions and allergens Check whether the cake is pre-sliced, how many portions you want to share and which allergens and traces are listed on the current packaging. When sharing snacks with several people, I want to serve suitable portions and take account of everyone eating. For around 30% of consumers, this would be their main concern when buying.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming a dark-sounding name means lots of cocoa

    According to Albert Heijn’s product information, Peijnenburg Zero Cacao contains 1% cocoa powder and Banoffee Choc contains 4% chocolate. Neither variety’s name proves that it contains lots of cocoa.

    Check the listed percentage and look at other flavourings too, such as banana or caramel.

  • Assuming ‘no added sugar’ means ‘no sweeteners’

    According to Albert Heijn’s product information, Peijnenburg Zero Cacao contains xylitol and 24 g of polyols per 100 g. The packaging warns that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.

    Read the ingredients and warnings alongside the sugar information. Keep products containing xylitol out of pets’ reach.

  • Assuming a product listing means it’s in stock

    A product page you viewed earlier doesn’t tell you whether the breakfast cake will be available when you’re planning your holiday snacks.

    Check the current store listing or shop shelf. If necessary, choose another variety using the same label criteria.

  • Assuming all breakfast cakes contain iodine

    A reference to iodised baker’s salt doesn’t tell you which salt was used in a particular breakfast cake.

    Don’t assume a standard iodine content. Check the ingredients or ask the manufacturer if this matters to your choice.

Brands to consider

These brands and retailers can help you narrow down the varieties to consider. Their inclusion here doesn’t mean a specific product is available.

Peijnenburg

Alongside its regular breakfast cake, it offers cocoa and chocolate varieties that are relevant to this choice.

  • Albert Heijn’s product information lists 1% cocoa powder and no added sugar for Zero Cacao.
  • Zero Cacao contains xylitol and carries a warning about excessive consumption; Banoffee Choc lists 38 g of sugars per 100 g.

Albert Heijn

Offers its own chocolate breakfast cake variety, alongside products from other brands.

  • The product information for AH Bio Ontbijtkoek Chocolade describes a resealable pack containing seven slices.
  • Check current availability and the label before planning to buy this variety for the holidays.

Jumbo

Offers various types of breakfast cake and spiced cake, including varieties with different ingredients or shapes.

  • The range includes an unsliced gluten-free breakfast cake and a zero-sugar spiced cake.
  • A category listing won’t tell you how much cocoa an individual variety contains, so check the product label.

PLUS

Offers own-brand breakfast cake in plain, wholemeal and zero-sugar varieties.

  • The range includes pre-sliced varieties, which can be useful if you want to share the cake.
  • These varieties won’t necessarily suit you if you’re specifically looking for a cocoa or chocolate flavour.

Lidl

Lists products including Ontbijtkoek Zero and Luxe Ontbijtkoek.

  • The product listing for Ontbijtkoek Zero gives a pack size of 485 g.
  • Lidl lists this product as available in store only. If cocoa is your main priority, check the store and the label.

ALDI

Lists Koek & Bakker breakfast cake, as well as separate cocoa snacks.

  • The Koek & Bakker listing describes an unsliced breakfast cake with pearl sugar.
  • The separately listed Snack Cacao isn’t a breakfast cake, so it isn’t a like-for-like breakfast cake alternative.

Breakfast cake on Joybuy

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Does ‘dark’ mean a breakfast cake contains lots of cocoa?

No, the name alone doesn’t tell you how much cocoa it contains. Albert Heijn’s product information lists 1% cocoa powder for Peijnenburg Zero Cacao and 4% chocolate for Banoffee Choc. Check the ingredient and percentage for the variety you choose.

Is breakfast cake with no added sugar also free from sweeteners?

Not always: according to Albert Heijn’s product information, Peijnenburg Zero Cacao contains xylitol. Also check the sugars and polyols per 100 g, the portion size and any usage warnings.

What should I check if children will be sharing the holiday snack?

Check the portion size and the current allergen information on the packaging. Don’t choose based only on a cocoa or sugar claim: it won’t tell you whether a particular variety is suitable for everyone eating it.

Does every breakfast cake contain iodised baker’s salt?

You can’t assume that every breakfast cake does. Check the ingredients for the specific product or ask the manufacturer which salt was used if this matters to your choice.