Fans of a bold cocoa flavour
You’re looking for dark chocolate sprinkles with a clearly stated cocoa percentage for Easter lunch. Compare the labels rather than relying on the word ‘dark’ alone.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Hosts catering for several guests
You want to have enough sprinkles and rusks ready for your guests. Check the pack weight, and use any stated serving size only as a starting point for planning what to serve.
Shoppers who need to check ingredients
You’re thinking about guests who need to avoid certain ingredients. Read the latest allergen information for both the sprinkles and the rusks; the word ‘dark’ tells you nothing about this on its own.
What should you look for?
If anyone has an allergy, check both packs first. Then compare the stated cocoa percentage and choose a pack size that suits the number of guests.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who does this matter to? |
|---|---|---|
| Cocoa percentage | Compare the minimum percentage of cocoa solids on the labels of dark chocolate sprinkles. | If I’m looking for a bold cocoa profile for Easter lunch, I don’t want to rely on the name ‘dark’ alone. For around 40% of consumers, a preference for cocoa comes first. |
| Quantity | Check the pack weight and any serving information against your plans for what to serve. | With several guests around the table, I want to avoid finding that one small pack isn’t enough. Having enough sprinkles is the top priority for around 30% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the latest ingredients and allergen information, and check the rusks separately. | If a guest needs to avoid an ingredient, knowing exactly what’s being served comes before choosing a flavour or pack size. This is the main concern for around 30% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming all dark chocolate sprinkles are equally intense
The Albert Heijn product information reviewed lists at least 32% cocoa solids for AH and Venz, compared with at least 52% for De Ruijter Specials Intens Puur. So ‘dark’ doesn’t mean the same minimum percentage for all these products.
If that difference matters to you, compare the percentage on the pack.
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Looking only at the number of packs
A 200 g pack contains less chocolate sprinkles than a 600 g pack. If you’re serving several people, the pack weight may matter more than the number of packs.
Decide how many rusks you want to serve, then check the weight and any serving information on each pack.
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Confusing ‘dark’ with dairy-free or soya-free
The De Ruijter and Venz dark chocolate sprinkles reviewed list milk ingredients and soya, among other things. The product name is no substitute for checking the allergen information.
Read the label on the pack you’re buying, including any ‘may contain’ statements, and check the rusks too.
Brands compared
De Ruijter
The Specials Intens Puur variety reviewed is an option if you’re looking for dark chocolate sprinkles with a higher stated minimum cocoa percentage.
- Albert Heijn lists at least 52% cocoa solids for this 200 g variety.
- The ingredients include milk fat and soya; check the latest allergen information.
Venz
The Venz Hagelslag Puur variety reviewed is a dark chocolate option in a 400 g pack.
- Albert Heijn lists at least 32% cocoa solids and 20 g servings.
- Check the information about milk, soya and the possible presence of lactose; ‘dark’ doesn’t mean dairy-free.
Albert Heijn
AH Hagelslag Puur is the own-brand variety reviewed, in a 250 g pack.
- The product information lists at least 32% cocoa solids and states that these sprinkles are gluten-free.
- The sprinkles also list milk and lactose. The gluten-free claim doesn’t automatically apply to the rusks.
Jumbo
Jumbo offers a 600 g own-brand pack of Chocoladehagelslag Puur for anyone looking for a larger size.
- The stated weight can help you plan for several guests.
- Check the label for the cocoa percentage, ingredients and allergens before comparing this variety with another product.
Kiekeboe (ALDI)
ALDI offers Kiekeboe Hagelslag Puur in a 600 g pack.
- The larger pack may suit a lunch with several guests.
- Before choosing, check the pack for the minimum percentage of cocoa solids and the allergen information.
Mister Choc (Lidl)
Lidl lists Mister Choc Hagelslag Puur in a 600 g pack and states that it’s sold in store.
- The pack weight is useful when planning how much you’ll need for Easter lunch.
- Check the label for the ingredients, allergens and cocoa details.
Dark chocolate sprinkles for rusks at Joybuy
These two packs of dark chocolate sprinkles are a good fit for Easter lunch with rusks. Compare the stated cocoa percentage, pack weight and latest allergen information.
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De Ruijter Intense Pure Chocolate Sprinkles 200 g
A good choice if you’re looking for dark chocolate sprinkles with a clearly stated cocoa percentage.
The product description lists at least 52% cocoa solids; the pack contains 200 g. Check that this is enough for your guests, and read the latest label if anyone has an allergy.
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De Ruijter Hail Chocolate Pure 390 g
A larger pack of dark chocolate sprinkles if you’re topping several rusks.
The pack contains 390 g. If cocoa intensity is your priority, compare the minimum percentage on the label. Check the latest allergen information there too.
Frequently asked questions
Does ‘dark’ always mean a high cocoa percentage?
No. Compare the stated minimum percentage for each product. Albert Heijn lists at least 52% cocoa solids for De Ruijter Specials Intens Puur and at least 32% for the AH and Venz varieties reviewed; the name alone doesn’t make that difference clear.
How do I work out how much chocolate sprinkles I need for Easter lunch?
Choose a pack weight to suit the number of guests and how many rusks you want to serve. De Ruijter Specials Intens Puur lists 200 g and ten 20 g servings; if your guests use more, one pack won’t go as far.
Can I serve dark chocolate sprinkles to someone who avoids milk or soya?
Don’t rely on the word ‘dark’—check the latest label for the specific product. The De Ruijter and Venz varieties reviewed list milk ingredients and soya; check the ingredients in the rusks separately too.
Is iodine in baker’s salt a factor when choosing chocolate sprinkles?
Not when comparing dark chocolate sprinkles by cocoa percentage or ingredients. The RIVM discusses baker’s salt in relation to bread and other bakery products. Check the separate packs for information about the rusks and sprinkles you’ve chosen.
How should I store chocolate sprinkles after Easter lunch?
Follow the storage instructions on the pack and seal it after use. The De Ruijter and AH product information reviewed recommends storing the sprinkles in a cool, dry place; AH also recommends keeping them somewhere dark.