Fans of a pronounced cocoa flavour
You want to choose dark chocolate sprinkles for Dutch rusks on your first shop and are looking for an option with a clearly stated cocoa content.
Who are these options relevant to?
Shoppers comparing sugar content
You want to keep using chocolate sprinkles as a sweet topping, but you check the nutritional information and the basis for any reduced-sugar claim before choosing.
Shoppers thinking about pack size
You want to buy an amount that suits how often you use chocolate sprinkles: a smaller pack to try a flavour, or a larger one if you eat them regularly.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether cocoa flavour, sugar content or pack size matters most to you. Then compare the label on the specific chocolate sprinkles you want to use on Dutch rusks.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Cocoa flavour | Look for a stated percentage of cocoa solids for the exact product; don’t rely on the word ‘dark’ alone. | If I want Dutch rusks with a pronounced cocoa flavour, I look for an option that states its cocoa content. For around 50% of consumers, cocoa flavour comes first. |
| Sugars | Check the sugars per 100 g and, if there’s a reduced-sugar claim, see which product it’s compared with. | If you want to keep using sweet toppings but are watching your sugar intake, you’ll want to know what the nutritional information on your chosen pack means. This is the main consideration for around 33% of consumers. |
| Pack size | Compare the net weight with how often you expect to use the chocolate sprinkles, and check the best-before date. | If I’m trying chocolate sprinkles for the first time, I want a pack I can finish; if I use them regularly, a larger size might suit me. For around 17% of consumers, pack size is the deciding factor. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming ‘dark’ means ‘low in sugars’
The description doesn’t tell you how much sugar a specific chocolate sprinkle product contains. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre does not include chocolate sprinkles in its Wheel of Five.
Use ‘dark’ to identify the type of product, then compare the sugars, saturated fat and serving size on the pack.
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Reading a reduced-sugar claim without checking the comparison
Albert Heijn states that AH Hagelslag puur minder suiker contains 30% less sugar than AH Chocolade hagel puur. This is not a comparison with every other chocolate sprinkle product.
Check which product is used as the reference, and also look at the sugars per 100 g in the option you want to buy.
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Assuming ‘dark’ means there are no allergens
De Ruijter Specials Hagelslag Intens Puur lists milk and soya. ‘Dark’ therefore doesn’t mean that a product is free from these ingredients.
If you have a relevant allergy or intolerance, always check the current ingredients list and allergen information. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says allergen information for prepacked products is shown on the label.
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Choosing a large pack before you know the flavour
When shopping for the first time, you may not yet know how often you’ll use your chosen chocolate sprinkles on Dutch rusks.
Choose a pack size that suits how much you expect to use, and check the best-before date on the packaging.
Brands to consider
De Ruijter
De Ruijter Specials Hagelslag Intens Puur 200 g is a specific option to consider if you want to choose based on cocoa solids.
- Albert Heijn states that this product contains at least 52% cocoa solids.
- The product information lists milk and soya. If you have dietary restrictions, check the other allergen information on the current pack too.
Albert Heijn
AH Hagelslag puur minder suiker 250 g is worth considering if you want to make a specific sugar comparison within sweet bread toppings.
- Albert Heijn states that this product contains 30% less sugar than AH Chocolade hagel puur, and 43 g of sugars per 100 g.
- The claim applies to that product comparison, not to all chocolate sprinkles. The product lists milk and lactose.
Venz
Venz XXL Hagelslag Puur 380 g is an option for anyone looking for larger chocolate sprinkles.
- Jumbo’s product description describes the sprinkles as extra large.
- Before buying, check the latest product information and the label for this specific option.
Dark chocolate sprinkles and chocolate flakes at Joybuy
Here you’ll find two packs of dark chocolate sprinkles and one pack of dark chocolate flakes. Flakes are a different type of product from chocolate sprinkles, so choose the texture you want on your Dutch rusks and check the information on the pack you select.
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De Ruijter Intense Pure dark chocolate sprinkles 200 g
A smaller pack of dark chocolate sprinkles to consider for your first shop. Pack size: 200 g.
If cocoa content or allergen information will influence your choice, check the label on this pack.
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De Ruijter dark chocolate sprinkles 390 g
A larger pack of dark chocolate sprinkles to consider if you use them regularly. Pack size: 390 g.
If you want to choose based on cocoa content, check the information on the packaging. If you have dietary restrictions, check the allergen label too.
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g'woon Flakes dark chocolate flakes 300 g
For anyone considering chocolate flakes instead of chocolate sprinkles. Pack size: 300 g.
Check that these flakes suit the way you want to top your Dutch rusks. If you have allergies, check the latest information about milk and wheat.
Frequently asked questions
Does ‘dark’ mean chocolate sprinkles are low in sugars?
No, that description doesn’t tell you how much sugar the chocolate sprinkles you’ve chosen contain. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre describes chocolate sprinkles as a sweet topping containing sugars and saturated fat, so check the nutritional information for the specific pack, per 100 g and, if needed, per serving.
Should I check for milk and soya in dark chocolate sprinkles?
Yes, if these ingredients matter to you, check the allergen information for the option you’ve chosen. De Ruijter Specials Hagelslag Intens Puur lists milk and soya. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says allergen information for prepacked products is shown on the label.
Does the rule about iodine in bakers’ salt mean that chocolate sprinkles contain iodine?
No, a rule for bakers’ salt tells you nothing about the iodine content of an individual pack of chocolate sprinkles. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority discusses iodine compounds in bread, bread substitutes and other bakery products; check the information on the chocolate sprinkles’ own label.
How should I store an opened pack of chocolate sprinkles?
Follow the storage instructions on the packaging of the product you buy. De Ruijter Intense Puur and AH Hagelslag puur minder suiker should be stored in a cool, dry place; the AH product should also be kept out of direct light.