Who is this relevant to?

Fans of bold dark chocolate

If cocoa flavour comes first for you, the stated cocoa solids content is a more useful guide than the word ‘dark’ alone. Albert Heijn lists different minimum percentages for two dark varieties from De Ruijter.

Buffet organisers

When catering for several guests, pack size and how you serve the sprinkles matter. Compare the weight you’re buying and check whether your preferred type of sprinkle is available.

Shoppers who want to check ingredients and portions

If guests need to avoid milk ingredients or soya, the label on the variety you choose is what matters. If you’re offering several toppings, you can also decide how much chocolate sprinkles to put out.

What should you look for when choosing?

First, decide what matters most for your garden party: a dark chocolate flavour, enough for the group, or control over ingredients and portions. Then compare the exact pack you plan to serve.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Dark cocoa flavour Compare the minimum cocoa solids percentage on the exact pack. Check the ingredients too if you want to take sweetness into account. I want to choose a distinctly dark chocolate flavour for my guests, rather than relying on the word ‘dark’ alone. Around 44% of consumers put flavour first.
Quantity and presentation Compare the weight in grams with the number of rusks you plan to serve, and check whether a specific XXL variety is available. For a buffet with several guests, I don’t want to run out of topping halfway through; the size of the sprinkles may matter to me too. For around 33% of consumers, catering for a group is the main consideration.
Ingredients and portions Read the ingredients and allergen information for the variety you choose, and decide how you’ll serve the sprinkles alongside other toppings. If guests need to avoid certain ingredients, I want to know exactly what’s in the bowl and how much I’m putting out. Around 23% of consumers put this kind of control first.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming all dark chocolate sprinkles have the same cocoa content

    Albert Heijn lists at least 52% cocoa solids for De Ruijter Specials Intens Puur and at least 43% for Royaal Extra Puur. So these varieties aren’t identical just because they’re both described as dark.

    Compare the percentage on the pack you’re buying. If you don’t know what it tastes like, don’t let the pack size be the only factor in your choice.

  • Serving dark chocolate sprinkles without checking for allergens

    The De Ruijter dark varieties reviewed list fractionated milk fat and soya lecithin, and warn that they may contain milk protein and lactose. Guests won’t be able to check this information if you put out an unlabelled bowl on its own.

    Keep the original packaging by the buffet and check the current label for each variety. Use a separate serving spoon if you want to limit cross-contact.

  • Planning to buy a specific XXL variety in advance

    A Jumbo listing for Venz XXL Puur indicated that the variety was no longer part of its online range. Availability can be a deciding factor if you particularly want to serve those larger sprinkles.

    Check the current range shortly before you shop, and think about which regular dark variety you could choose instead.

  • Offering sprinkles as the only topping

    The Netherlands Nutrition Centre points out that chocolate sprinkles contain a lot of sugar, saturated fat and calories. This is worth bearing in mind when guests are making up several rusks for themselves.

    Put out a small serving bowl and offer other toppings too, so guests can choose for themselves.

Brands to consider

De Ruijter

Two dark varieties with different stated minimum cocoa solids percentages and different pack sizes.

  • Albert Heijn lists Specials Intens Puur at 200 g with at least 52% cocoa solids. Royaal Extra Puur is 390 g and lists at least 43%.
  • Both varieties reviewed list soya lecithin and fractionated milk fat, and may contain milk protein and lactose.

Venz

Dark chocolate sprinkles in a standard pack, plus a separate XXL variety with larger sprinkles.

  • Jumbo lists Venz Puur Chocolade Hagelslag in a 400 g pack and describes the Venz XXL Puur sprinkles as extra-large.
  • Check that XXL Puur is currently available before counting on this specific variety.

Jumbo

Own-label dark chocolate sprinkles in a 600 g pack, for those working out how much they need for a group.

  • Jumbo lists its Chocoladehagelslag Puur in a 600 g pack.
  • If cocoa content will determine your choice, compare the percentage on the current label.

Kiekeboe

ALDI own-label dark chocolate sprinkles in a 600 g pack, with a separate XXL listing.

  • ALDI describes Kiekeboe Puur as a 600 g pack made with Rainforest Alliance cocoa, and says the XXL range has larger sprinkles.
  • Check the cocoa content and ingredients on the pack of the variety you choose.

Mister Choc

Lidl lists Mister Choc Hagelslag Puur as a possible shop-bought option in this type of topping.

  • The product listing makes it easier to find the dark variety you’re looking for.
  • Check the current label before choosing based on cocoa content or ingredients.

Dark chocolate sprinkles for rusks

These two packs of dark chocolate sprinkles suit different considerations for a garden party: a smaller pack with a stated cocoa content, or a 390 g pack if you’re thinking of buying a larger quantity. For both, check the current ingredients information if guests need to avoid allergens.

De Ruijter Intense Pure chocolate sprinkles, 200 g

De Ruijter Intense Pure chocolate sprinkles 200 g

Worth considering if the stated cocoa content is your main priority when choosing sprinkles for rusks.

The product information lists at least 52% cocoa solids and a pack size of 200 g. You may need extra for several guests.

The product information lists milk fat and soya, and notes the possible presence of milk ingredients or lactose. Check the current label before serving the sprinkles.

View at Joybuy
De Ruijter Hail Chocolate Pure chocolate sprinkles, 390 g

De Ruijter Hail Chocolate Pure chocolate sprinkles 390 g

A pack to consider if you’re planning to serve dark chocolate sprinkles on rusks for several guests.

The pack contains 390 g. If a bold dark flavour is your deciding factor, compare the cocoa content on the label of this exact variety.

The product information lists milk fat and soya. Check the current ingredients and allergen information before serving.

View at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Does ‘dark’ mean chocolate sprinkles don’t contain milk?

No. ‘Dark’ isn’t a reliable indication that a product is milk-free. The De Ruijter Specials Intens Puur and Royaal Extra Puur varieties reviewed list fractionated milk fat and soya lecithin, and warn that they may contain milk protein and lactose. Read the label on the exact pack you plan to serve.

What size pack is handy for serving rusks at a garden party?

Choose a pack size based on how many rusks you plan to serve and what other toppings are on the table. Albert Heijn lists De Ruijter Specials Intens Puur in a 200 g pack and Royaal Extra Puur in a 390 g pack; Jumbo lists its dark own-label variety in a 600 g pack. As well as the pack size, compare the ingredients and, if flavour comes first, the stated cocoa content.

How can I keep track of how much chocolate sprinkles to put out on the buffet?

Put out an amount that guests can serve themselves, and offer other toppings too. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says that chocolate sprinkles contain a lot of sugar, saturated fat and calories, so buying a large pack doesn’t mean you have to serve it all at once.

Do rusks with chocolate sprinkles always contain iodine from baker’s salt?

No. Don’t assume that every rusk is made with iodised baker’s salt. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre notes that baker’s salt can have iodine added to it. Check the label on the rusks you buy or ask the manufacturer which salt they use.