Who is this choice relevant to?

Fans of a distinctly dark flavour

If you want to choose your sprinkles for New Year based on cocoa content, compare the stated minimum percentages. The word ‘dark’ alone won’t tell you how the options you’re looking at compare on this point.

Hosts catering for several guests

If you’re serving lots of rusks, pack size matters too. Think about how many you plan to serve, and check shortly before buying that your chosen option is available.

Shoppers checking for allergens

Check the labels for both parts of your topped rusk. The product information for the sprinkles discussed here lists milk and soya; the rusks you choose will also have their own ingredients and allergen list.

What should you look for when choosing?

Start with your flavour preference for the sprinkles and how much you’ll need. Then check the labels on both the sprinkles and the rusks, especially if anyone at the table needs to avoid certain allergens.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Cocoa content Compare the stated minimum cocoa solids percentage; don’t rely on the word ‘dark’ in the name alone. I want to choose an option for New Year with a clearly stated cocoa content, rather than going by the name. Around 36% of consumers give this priority.
Allergens Read the latest allergen information for both the sprinkles and the rusks. If someone joining us needs to avoid certain ingredients, I want to be able to check both packs before serving anything. Around 29% of consumers put this check first.
Portion and nutritional information Check the sugars and saturated fat per 100 g, and decide how many sprinkles you’ll use on each rusk. For a celebratory rusk, I want to decide for myself how much sweet topping to add, even when I choose a darker option. The amount is the first consideration for around 21% of consumers.
Pack size and availability Check the pack size and the current stock at the retailer you plan to buy from. When I’m hosting several guests, I want to have enough sprinkles at home without choosing based on cocoa content alone. Around 14% of consumers put this practical need first.

Common mistakes

  • Going by the word ‘dark’ alone

    The products we looked at state different minimum percentages: Albert Heijn lists 52% for De Ruijter Intens Puur and 43% for Royaal Extra Puur, while Jumbo lists 32% for Venz Puur. The names alone don’t show these differences.

    Compare the percentage on the pack, then choose a size that suits the number of guests.

  • Assuming a darker option is sugar-free

    Dark chocolate sprinkles also contain sugars and saturated fat. Voedingscentrum lists 9.1 g of sugar and 1.3 g of saturated fat in a 15 g portion of dark chocolate sprinkles.

    Choose a higher cocoa content to suit your taste, and check the nutritional information per portion to help decide how much to use.

  • Checking only the sprinkles for allergens

    The sprinkles discussed here list milk and soya. According to Albert Heijn’s product information, AH Beschuit naturel contains ingredients including wheat, rye and egg, so the rusks need checking separately.

    Read the latest labels on both products before buying, even if you’ve previously bought another option from the same brand.

  • Assuming a product listing means it’s in stock

    An option you find online may not be available when you’re shopping for New Year. For Venz XXL Hagelslag Puur, Jumbo stated that the item was no longer part of its online range.

    Check the current availability of the specific pack at the retailer you plan to order from or visit.

Brands and retailers to consider

De Ruijter

Within the range discussed here, you can choose between standard dark chocolate sprinkles and options with a higher stated minimum cocoa solids percentage.

  • Albert Heijn lists at least 52% for Specials Intens Puur and at least 43% for Royaal Extra Puur.
  • The product information for these two options lists milk and soya, and warns that lactose may be present.

Venz

Venz Puur is a standard dark chocolate sprinkle product in a 400 g pack.

  • Jumbo lists at least 32% cocoa solids for Venz Puur.
  • Check the label for milk, soya and the lactose warning; if you’re considering an XXL option, check that it’s currently available too.

Kiekeboe

An ALDI own-brand option to consider if you’re looking for a larger pack of dark chocolate sprinkles for several guests.

  • ALDI lists a 600 g pack made with Rainforest Alliance cocoa.
  • Check the label on the pack you buy for ingredients, allergens and nutritional information.

Albert Heijn

A retailer and own-brand option for the rusks beneath your sprinkles, with several varieties to choose from.

  • The range includes plain and wholemeal rusks, among other options.
  • According to Albert Heijn, AH Beschuit naturel contains ingredients including wheat, rye and egg; check each other variety separately.

Jumbo

A retailer to check for product information on options including Venz Puur and XXL dark chocolate sprinkles.

  • The product listing for Venz Puur gives a pack size of 400 g and a minimum cocoa solids percentage.
  • Check the stock of your chosen option: the listing for Venz XXL Hagelslag Puur said it was no longer part of the online range.

Related products on Joybuy

The product below is a dark chocolate flake topping you could use on rusks as an alternative. If you’re specifically looking for chocolate sprinkles for New Year, bear in mind that flakes and sprinkles are different types of product.

g'woon Dark Flakes, 300 g pack

g'woon Dark Flakes 300 g

An option if you’d like to use dark flakes instead of sprinkles on your rusks. The pack contains 300 g; compare the ingredients and allergens on the label with those of the rusks you’re serving.

View on Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Are sprinkles with ‘dark’ in the name always equally dark?

No, the stated minimum cocoa solids percentage varies between the products discussed here. Albert Heijn lists at least 52% for De Ruijter Intens Puur and 43% for Royaal Extra Puur, while Jumbo lists at least 32% for Venz Puur. Compare the percentage if it matters to your choice.

Does a higher cocoa content make sprinkles sugar-free?

No. Dark chocolate sprinkles can still contain sugars and saturated fat. Voedingscentrum lists 9.1 g of sugar and 1.3 g of saturated fat in 15 g of dark chocolate sprinkles; check the nutritional information for the specific option and the portion you use.

Which labels should I check when serving dark chocolate sprinkles on rusks?

Check both the sprinkles and the rusks. The sprinkles discussed here list milk and soya, and warn that lactose may be present. For AH Beschuit naturel, Albert Heijn lists ingredients including wheat, rye and egg. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority states that allergen information for prepacked products must appear on the label.

Does every rusk contain iodised baker’s salt?

You can’t assume that every rusk does. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains that iodine compounds may be used in bakery products, but this doesn’t tell you which rusk varieties contain them. Check the pack or ask the manufacturer about the ingredients in the product you want to buy.