If you want a pronounced dark chocolate flavour for a wedding buffet, don’t choose based on a brown finish alone: the supermarket options described as having a cocoa-based coating or a milk chocolate layer won’t necessarily meet that requirement. Decorating plain egg cakes with dark chocolate gives you control over the chocolate you choose. De Maro also offers egg cakes with pieces of dark chocolate and a choice of sizes. For every option, ask in advance about the exact ingredients, allergens and whether the quantity you need can be supplied.
If you’re serving egg cakes with coffee or on a dessert table, you’ll want to know whether the chocolate is more than just a dark-coloured decoration. Ask the supplier what chocolate is used in your chosen option, and try it in advance if the flavour is a key factor in your decision.
For a buffet, the number of pieces, their size and how they’ll be served all matter. Check that you can get the egg cakes you’ve chosen in the quantity you need and in time, especially if you’re buying them from a shop or placing a bespoke order.
At a buffet with a range of guests, it should be clear which allergens each option contains. Keep the information for the egg cakes you actually use, as well as any chocolate you add, so guests can get accurate details before choosing.
A good choice when: A pre-packaged egg cake with a chocolate-style finish is enough, and a dark chocolate flavour isn’t essential.
Consider: Albert Heijn describes the Gulden Krakeling option as having a cocoa-based coating and cream filling, and says it is sold in store. This description doesn’t indicate a pronounced dark chocolate flavour.
A good choice when: You want to choose the chocolate used to decorate plain egg cakes. Jumbo suggests using melted dark chocolate as a decoration.
Consider: Decorating takes preparation. Remember to check the allergens in both ingredients and consider the effect of warm temperatures when displaying them.
A good choice when: You want to discuss quantities or sizes with a supplier. De Maro describes both these options and a variety with pieces of dark chocolate.
Consider: Discuss the ingredients, quantity required and delivery before confirming this option for your buffet.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Dark chocolate flavour | Ask which chocolate is used and whether any stated cocoa percentage applies to the chocolate or to the whole egg cake. Try your chosen option in advance if flavour is a deciding factor. | If I want a distinct dark chocolate flavour, a dark appearance alone isn’t enough. For around 42% of consumers, that flavour would be their main concern. |
| Quantities and presentation | Check the number of pieces per pack or the agreed size, and confirm the delivery time and serving method. | I want to have enough neat portions ready without relying on shop availability on the day of the wedding. Around 33% of consumers would focus mainly on planning and presentation. |
| Allergen information | Use the up-to-date information for your chosen egg cake and any decorations. If serving them unpackaged, make sure guests can ask about allergens before choosing. | If I unpack or decorate the egg cakes myself, I still need to be able to tell guests which allergens they contain. This information would be the top priority for around 25% of consumers. |
Jumbo and Albert Heijn describe the chocolate egg cakes in question as having a cocoa-based coating. This doesn’t confirm that the finish is made from dark chocolate or has the rich flavour you’re looking for.
Decide whether you want dark chocolate, a specific cocoa percentage or simply a dark appearance. Ask the supplier about the ingredients and try the option you plan to serve.
Jumbo says its chocolate egg cakes are no longer available in its online range. Albert Heijn says the Gulden Krakeling option is sold in store.
Before confirming your buffet portions, check that you can get the quantity you need for your wedding date.
Once egg cakes are arranged unpackaged on a platter, guests can no longer see the original packaging. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, information about allergens present must also be available for unpackaged food.
Keep the product specifications with your catering information. Use labels or a menu at the buffet, or make it clear to guests that they can ask about allergens in person. Keep different varieties and their serving utensils separate.
De Maro describes egg cakes in a range of sizes, as well as an option with fine pieces of dark chocolate.
Jumbo’s egg cake recipe suggests decorating egg cakes with melted dark chocolate.
Albert Heijn lists plain AH egg cakes, with twelve portions per pack, and a Gulden Krakeling option with a cocoa-based coating and cream filling.
The Bolletje Brosse eierkoek melk described by Albert Heijn is individually wrapped and has a milk chocolate layer.
ALDI lists free-range egg cakes from Heerlijck Banket in a pack of twelve.
No. The Jumbo options described here and the Gulden Krakeling listed by Albert Heijn have a cocoa-based coating. This doesn’t confirm that they contain dark chocolate or have a particular cocoa percentage. If a dark chocolate flavour matters for your buffet, ask about the ingredients.
According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, guests must be able to get information about allergens present in unpackaged food. You can provide this in writing, for example on labels or a menu, or verbally, as long as it’s clearly indicated that guests can ask. Use the information for all the ingredients actually served at the buffet.
Check the current labels for both the egg cake and any chocolate you add. The product examples described here include egg, wheat, soya and milk. The allergens in your buffet option will depend on the products you actually use.
Follow the storage instructions for your chosen egg cakes and chocolate, and bear in mind that heat can affect a chocolate decoration. Before serving, check that the finish still looks neat and that the allergen information is displayed with the correct option.
