Who is this choice relevant to?

Dark chocolate lover

You’re looking for sprinkles for an Easter dessert or cupcakes and want to compare the minimum cocoa solids content of the exact variety. The word ‘dark’ on the front of the pack alone isn’t enough.

Easter brunch organiser

You need sprinkles for several rolls or desserts. In that case, pack size matters too, alongside the cocoa content you’re looking for in a topping.

Label-conscious shopper

You want to check the sugars per 100 g and the ingredients before buying, even if the packaging says ‘dark’ or ‘less sugar’. If you’re catering for guests with an allergy, check the current label as well.

What should you look for when choosing?

First decide whether the stated cocoa content, nutritional information or quantity you need for your Easter brunch or dessert is your main priority. For every option, check the ingredients and allergens on the packaging separately.

What to consider What to check when buying Who is this most important to?
Cocoa content Compare the stated minimum percentage of cocoa solids for the exact variety. Albert Heijn states a minimum of 52% for De Ruijter Specials Intens Puur and 43% for De Ruijter Royaal extra puur. For a dessert for adults, I want to be able to compare a specific cocoa percentage, not just the word ‘dark’. Around 50% of consumers put cocoa content first.
Sugars and ingredients Check the sugars per 100 g alongside the ingredients list. Albert Heijn states that AH Hagelslag puur minder suiker contains 43 g of sugars per 100 g. For Easter bread or desserts, I want to know how much sugar the sprinkles contain and which ingredients have been used. Around 30% of consumers put checking the label first.
Pack size Compare the net weight with the quantity you need. Both Jumbo and Albert Heijn list a 600 g variety of dark chocolate sprinkles. If I’m preparing rolls and desserts for a group, I want to choose a pack that suits the amount I’ve planned. Around 20% of consumers prioritise this.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming all dark chocolate sprinkles have the same cocoa content

    ‘Dark’ doesn’t indicate one fixed minimum percentage. Albert Heijn and Jumbo’s product pages state minimums of 32% to 52% cocoa solids for the varieties mentioned; that percentage alone doesn’t tell you how they taste.

    If cocoa content is your main criterion, check the minimum percentage on the packaging of the variety you want to buy.

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

    Albert Heijn still lists 43 g of sugars per 100 g for AH Hagelslag puur minder suiker. According to the product information, another variety from Céréal contains maltitols and carries a warning about excessive consumption.

    Check the sugars per 100 g, the ingredients used and any warnings together, rather than relying only on the wording on the front of the pack.

  • Choosing based on pack size alone

    A 200 g pack and a 600 g pack suit different quantities. Their weight doesn’t tell you what cocoa content or ingredients the sprinkles contain.

    Work out how much you need for rolls and desserts, then compare the labels on packs of a suitable size.

  • Assuming ‘dark’ means free from milk or soya

    According to their product information, the De Ruijter Intens, De Ruijter Royaal and Venz Puur varieties mentioned contain milk and soya. Warnings about possible traces can also vary from pack to pack.

    If you have an allergy, check the current ingredients list and any cross-contamination warning every time. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority highlights the requirement to list allergens on food labels.

Brands and supermarket own-labels compared

These brands and supermarket own-labels offer different pack sizes and stated cocoa percentages. Always compare the exact variety: a feature of one type of sprinkles doesn’t automatically apply to another from the same brand.

De Ruijter

Albert Heijn states that Specials Intens Puur contains at least 52% cocoa solids, while Royaal extra puur contains at least 43%.

  • Two specific minimum percentages to compare for an Easter dessert.
  • According to the product information, the varieties mentioned contain milk and soya; check the rest of the allergen information on the pack too.

Venz

Jumbo states that Venz Puur chocolate sprinkles, 400 g, contain at least 32% cocoa solids.

  • A stated minimum percentage to compare with other dark varieties.
  • According to the product information, this variety contains milk and soya.

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn’s own-label range includes a 600 g pack of dark chocolate sprinkles and a 250 g ‘dark, less sugar’ variety.

  • Albert Heijn states a minimum of 32% cocoa solids for the standard variety and at least 50% for the less-sugar variety.
  • The less-sugar variety lists 43 g of sugars per 100 g and, according to the product information, contains milk and lactose.

Jumbo

Jumbo states that its 600 g pack of dark chocolate sprinkles contains at least 32% cocoa solids.

  • The net weight makes this variety worth considering when you’re shopping for a group.
  • The product information mentions possible traces of milk; if you have an allergy, check the current packaging.

Lidl

Lidl lists Mister Choc Hagelslag puur in a 600 g pack and directs shoppers to its stores for this variety.

  • A pack size to consider when planning a larger brunch.
  • Check the label in store if cocoa content, ingredients or allergens will determine your choice.

ALDI

ALDI Netherlands lists 600 g of Kiekeboe Hagelslag puur, made with Rainforest Alliance cocoa.

  • A large pack to compare when you’re shopping for several guests.
  • Check the in-store label for the cocoa percentage, ingredients and allergens.

Dark chocolate sprinkles for Easter desserts and brunch

These two packs of De Ruijter dark chocolate sprinkles are suitable for desserts or an Easter brunch. Compare their weights, and check the label on your chosen variety if cocoa content, sugars or allergens are important factors.

De Ruijter Intense dark chocolate sprinkles 200 g

De Ruijter Intense dark chocolate sprinkles 200 g

A 200 g pack for anyone looking for dark chocolate sprinkles to top an Easter dessert or cupcakes.

Check the current packaging for the minimum cocoa solids percentage, sugars per 100 g and allergen information.

View at Joybuy
De Ruijter dark chocolate sprinkles 390 g

De Ruijter dark chocolate sprinkles 390 g

A 390 g pack to consider if you need dark chocolate sprinkles for more rolls or desserts.

If you’re looking for a high cocoa content in particular, check the minimum percentage on the exact pack. Also check the ingredients and allergen information.

View at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Does ‘dark’ automatically mean a high cocoa content?

No, the stated minimums vary by variety. Jumbo lists at least 32% cocoa solids for Venz Puur; Albert Heijn lists 43% for De Ruijter Royaal, 50% for AH puur minder suiker and 52% for De Ruijter Specials Intens Puur. If this matters for your Easter dessert, compare the percentage on the exact pack.

Can I serve dark chocolate sprinkles to a guest with a milk or soya allergy?

Don’t assume that dark chocolate sprinkles are suitable. According to their product information, the De Ruijter Intens, De Ruijter Royaal and Venz Puur varieties mentioned contain milk and soya. Check the current ingredients list and any cross-contamination warning for the pack you’ve chosen.

Which pack size is right for an Easter brunch with several guests?

Choose the net weight based on the rolls and desserts you plan to use the sprinkles for. Albert Heijn and Jumbo list 600 g own-label varieties of dark chocolate sprinkles; De Ruijter Specials Intens Puur comes in a 200 g pack. Then compare the cocoa content and ingredients of the variety that suits the quantity you’ve planned.

How should I store the sprinkles after Easter brunch?

Follow the storage instructions on the packaging and seal the pack carefully after use. Check the pack to see where the best-before date is shown.