Who is this for?

Fans of a bold dark chocolate topping

You’re looking for chocolate sprinkles for cupcakes, yoghurt or porridge, and want to compare the stated minimum cocoa content of the product variant you choose.

Organisers of a toppings station

You want to choose a pack size that will cover several portions and keep the sprinkles cool, dry and sealed during transport and serving.

Shoppers with dietary requirements or allergies

You check the ingredients and warnings on the pack you’ll actually be using. For the product variants reviewed, soya and the possible presence of milk are among the things to look out for.

What should you look for?

Decide what matters most for your festival: the stated minimum cocoa content, how you’ll use the pack at the venue, allergens or whether your preferred product variant is available.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Cocoa content Compare the stated minimum cocoa solids for the exact product variant. Albert Heijn lists 40% for De Ruijter Royaal Extra Puur 240 g, Jumbo lists 35% for its dark sprinkles 300 g, and PLUS lists 32% for its dark sprinkles 300 g. If I want a bold dark chocolate flavour from my topping, I’d like more to go on than just the words ‘extra dark’; around 37% of consumers prioritise the minimum cocoa content.
Pack size and storage Compare the pack size with the portions you’re planning and follow the storage instructions on the pack. Keep opened sprinkles cool, dry and sealed. For a toppings station, I want to be able to top up the supply without it getting warm or damp; around 27% of consumers are most concerned about using the product at the venue.
Allergens Read the ingredients and the ‘contains’ and ‘may contain’ statements on the pack you’re serving. Consider a vegan label separately from allergen warnings. If I need to take an allergy or dietary requirement into account, I need to know exactly which product variant I’m putting out; around 18% of consumers prioritise this check.
Availability Before buying, check whether your preferred product variant is available from your chosen shop or in your delivery area. If you choose an alternative, check its label again. If I’m counting on a particular pack for the event, I want to know in good time whether I can get it; availability is also a top priority for around 18% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming ‘extra dark’ means a set cocoa percentage

    The product name alone doesn’t tell you the minimum cocoa solids listed on the pack you’ve chosen. A higher minimum also doesn’t guarantee that everyone will find the flavour more intense.

    Compare the percentage stated on the exact product variants you’re considering, rather than just the wording on the front.

  • Confusing a vegan label with being allergen-free

    According to PLUS product information, its dark Fairtrade variant is labelled vegan, but it also carries a warning that it may contain milk and lactose.

    Check both the ingredients and the allergen warnings on the pack you’ll actually be serving.

  • Comparing pack sizes alone

    The De Ruijter Royaal pack reviewed contains 240 g and, according to Albert Heijn, lists at least 40% cocoa solids. Jumbo’s dark variant contains 300 g and, according to Jumbo, lists at least 35%. A bigger pack therefore doesn’t necessarily have the same minimum cocoa content.

    Choose the number of packs to suit your portions, and compare the stated percentage for the product variant you’ve chosen too.

  • Leaving the sprinkles open during transport or serving

    Heat and moisture are factors to consider when setting up a toppings station outdoors. The storage instructions for the products reviewed recommend keeping them cool and dry, and sealing them after use.

    Keep your supply dry and sealed, and check in advance whether you can follow the storage instructions at the venue.

Brands to consider

De Ruijter

De Ruijter Royaal Chocoladevlokken Extra Puur 240 g is a specific product variant for anyone wanting to compare stated minimum cocoa content. Albert Heijn lists at least 40% cocoa solids.

  • The stated minimum is higher than that of the Jumbo and PLUS dark variants discussed here.
  • Jumbo lists soya as an ingredient and warns that this Royaal variant may contain milk. Check the pack before use.

Jumbo

Jumbo Chocolade Vlokken Puur comes in a 300 g pack. Jumbo lists at least 35% cocoa solids for this product variant.

  • The pack contains 300 g, compared with 240 g for the De Ruijter Royaal variant discussed here.
  • The stated minimum cocoa content is lower than for that Royaal variant. If you have an allergen requirement, check the current packaging.

PLUS

PLUS Chocoladevlokken Puur Fairtrade comes in a 300 g pack. PLUS lists at least 32% cocoa solids and describes this product variant as vegan in its product information.

  • The stated pack size and minimum cocoa content make it possible to compare this product with the other specific variants.
  • According to the product information, this variant may contain milk and lactose. The vegan label is no substitute for checking allergen warnings.

Kiekeboe (ALDI)

ALDI lists Kiekeboe chocolate sprinkles in milk and dark varieties, in 300 g packs, and states on the product page that they are Rainforest Alliance certified.

  • The 300 g pack gives you a specific size to compare with the portions you need.
  • If you want to assess this dark variant for its cocoa content or allergens, check the information on the pack you choose.

Chocolate toppings on Joybuy

These two De Ruijter products can both be used as chocolate toppings, but they come in different forms and pack sizes: chocolate chunks in a 390 g pack and dark chocolate sprinkles in a 200 g pack. Choose sprinkles if that’s the form you need for your dish. To check the minimum cocoa content and allergens, always refer to the product information and packaging for the exact variant.

De Ruijter Chocolate Chunks, 390 g pack

De Ruijter Chocolate Chunks 390 g

Consider these chocolate chunks if you’re looking for a topping in pieces rather than sprinkles. Compare the 390 g pack size with the number of portions you’re planning, and check the allergens and storage instructions on the pack.

View on Joybuy
De Ruijter Intense Pure Chocolate Sprinkles, 200 g pack

De Ruijter Intense Pure Chocolate Sprinkles 200 g

These dark chocolate sprinkles are a good fit for dishes that call for a topping you can scatter. Choose the 200 g pack size to suit your portions, and check the cocoa content, allergens and storage instructions for this product variant.

View on Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Which of the dark sprinkles discussed lists the highest minimum cocoa content?

Of the supermarket products discussed here, De Ruijter Royaal Chocoladevlokken Extra Puur 240 g lists the highest minimum: at least 40% cocoa solids, according to Albert Heijn. Jumbo lists 35% for its 300 g dark sprinkles, and PLUS lists 32% for its 300 g dark Fairtrade variant. This comparison doesn’t tell you the minimum cocoa content of other packs with similar names.

How should I store chocolate sprinkles for a festival?

Follow the storage instructions on the pack you’ve chosen, and keep opened chocolate sprinkles cool, dry and sealed. Before transporting and serving them, check whether you can maintain these conditions at the venue. Don’t rely on the packaging alone if the sprinkles will be left outdoors for a long time.

Are dark chocolate sprinkles automatically vegan and milk-free?

No. The term ‘dark’ on its own doesn’t mean that a product is vegan or milk-free. PLUS describes its dark Fairtrade sprinkles as vegan in its product information, but also warns that they may contain milk and lactose. Always check the packaging you’ll actually be using for allergen information.