If you want to choose the type of dark chocolate used on your egg cakes, finish plain egg cakes with chocolate that states its cocoa percentage on the packaging, or bake them yourself with cocoa. Verkade states that its Cooking Chocolate contains at least 71% cocoa solids; this percentage applies to the chocolate, not the finished cake. Ready-made chocolate egg cakes take less preparation, but check the ingredients, allergens and portions for your group.
If you don't want to rely on a name such as ‘choco’, you can finish plain egg cakes with chocolate that states its cocoa percentage. Baking them yourself with cocoa is another option. The percentage of cocoa in the chocolate alone tells you nothing about the cocoa content of the whole cake.
For an Easter egg hunt with a group, the number of cakes, portion size and storage advice are practical things to check. For example, Albert Heijn lists its standard egg cakes as 12 portions of 30 g.
For a mixed group, check the label on both the egg cake and any chocolate topping. The products mentioned include ingredients such as egg, gluten-containing cereals or soya; allergens and ‘may contain’ warnings vary by product.
When: If you want to choose the cocoa or chocolate yourself. Jumbo suggests using melted dark chocolate to decorate plain egg cakes.
Consider: Baking or melting chocolate takes preparation, and the cocoa percentage of the chocolate is not the cocoa percentage of the whole treat.
When: If you want to hand out cakes without baking or finishing them yourself.
Consider: The Albert Heijn and Jumbo chocolate egg cakes described contain a cocoa-flavoured coating, but don't state the total cocoa percentage of the cake.
Decide what matters most for your Easter egg hunt, then check the packaging for the egg cakes and any topping.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it's important for |
|---|---|---|
| Dark chocolate flavour | Check the cocoa percentage of the chocolate and how much you use per cake. A percentage stated for the topping doesn't apply to the whole egg cake. | If I want a pronounced cocoa flavour for adults, I want to be able to choose the chocolate myself. This would be the main priority for around 45% of consumers. |
| Portions and preparation | Check the number of cakes, portion size and storage advice. Albert Heijn lists its standard egg cakes as 12 portions of 30 g. | For a large group, I want to know in advance how many cakes I can hand out without having to prepare them first. For around 33% of consumers, being able to hand them out quickly would be the main priority. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Check the ingredients, allergens and any ‘may contain’ statements on the current packaging for both the cake and the topping. | If anyone taking part has allergies, I want to know which allergens are listed for each product. For around 22% of consumers, this check would be the most important consideration. |
Albert Heijn describes the filled egg cakes mentioned as having a cocoa-flavoured coating; Jumbo also lists a cocoa-flavoured decoration for its version. This doesn't confirm the cocoa content of the whole cake.
If a stated cocoa percentage matters to your choice, check the chocolate separately and decide how much to add.
Jumbo stated that the chocolate egg cakes described were no longer available online. A temporary in-store offer, such as Lidl's offer on egg cakes, is only valid during the stated period.
Check that the egg cakes you want are available shortly before your Easter egg hunt, and have an alternative ready for your group.
A chocolate topping may contain different allergens or carry different ‘may contain’ warnings from the egg cake. Verkade states that its Cooking Chocolate contains soya and may contain traces of nuts, milk and gluten.
Check the exact packaging for both products, and keep treats containing different allergens clearly separate.
An option for chocolate to finish plain egg cakes yourself, rather than a ready-made dark chocolate egg cake.
Worth considering for plain egg cakes and cocoa powder if you want to bake or finish them yourself.
A place to look for standard egg cakes and a separate chocolate-filled version.
A possible base if you want to pair plain egg cakes with chocolate separately.
An in-store option for plain egg cakes when the relevant offer is running.
No. The name alone doesn't tell you the cocoa content of the whole egg cake. The Albert Heijn and Jumbo versions described list a cocoa-flavoured coating but no total cocoa percentage; check any percentage stated for the chocolate separately.
You can finish them with melted dark chocolate, as Jumbo suggests in its serving tip. Choose chocolate with a stated cocoa percentage if you want to check this, and allow extra time for preparation.
Check the allergen information for both the egg cakes and the chocolate you actually use. The products mentioned include ingredients such as egg, gluten-containing cereals or soya; Verkade Cooking Chocolate also carries warnings that it may contain traces of nuts, milk and gluten.
Make sure any batter containing raw egg is thoroughly cooked. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises thoroughly cooking dishes containing raw egg; when planning your treats, also allow time for baking and decorating.
