Guests who want a pronounced cocoa flavour
For a small Christmas brunch or dessert table, the stated minimum percentage of cocoa solids is a more concrete point of comparison than the word ‘dark’ on its own.
Who is this choice important for?
Hosts serving a large number of guests
If you’re putting out sprinkles for several slices of bread, bowls of yoghurt or desserts, it’s worth choosing a pack size that suits the number of portions. The packs considered range from 200 g to 600 g.
Hosts with guests who have allergies
If your guests need to avoid milk or soya, you’ll need to check the label on the pack you’re serving. The Intens Puur and Royaal Extra Puur varieties considered list milk and soya.
What should you look for when choosing?
Decide whether the stated cocoa content, having enough to go round or the label is the deciding factor for your Christmas table. Then compare the packs that suit your needs.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Stated cocoa content | Look for a minimum percentage of cocoa solids on the pack; don’t infer it from the word ‘dark’. | If I’m using sprinkles to add a distinct cocoa note to desserts, I want to be able to compare varieties by their stated percentage. Around 42% of consumers put this first. |
| Quantity | Compare the weight of each pack with how much you want to put out for your guests. | For a full brunch table, I don’t want to run out of sprinkles halfway through. Around 33% of consumers put having enough first. |
| Allergens and portions | Read the ingredients, allergen information and nutritional information on the current pack, and decide how much you want to serve. | If guests need to avoid milk or soya, I want to know exactly what’s in the sprinkles before putting them out. Around 25% of consumers prioritise these checks and portion size. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming ‘dark’ means a particular cocoa content
Albert Heijn states that De Ruijter Intens Puur contains at least 52% cocoa solids, and Royaal Extra Puur at least 43%. The product name alone won’t tell you the minimum percentage in another variety.
If the stated cocoa content is your main criterion, compare the percentages on the packs.
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Choosing a small pack without working out how much you need
A 200 g pack may suit a small dessert table, but you may need more for a larger group.
First work out how many portions you want to serve sprinkles with, then compare pack weights.
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Assuming dark chocolate sprinkles are free from milk or soya
The De Ruijter Intens Puur and Royaal Extra Puur varieties considered list milk and soya. So ‘dark’ is no substitute for checking the allergen information.
Ask guests about any relevant allergies in advance and keep the pack handy so they can read the current label.
Brands to consider
De Ruijter
Intens Puur and Royaal Extra Puur are two dark varieties with a stated minimum percentage of cocoa solids.
- Albert Heijn states at least 52% for Intens Puur and at least 43% for Royaal Extra Puur.
- Both varieties considered list milk and soya; check the label before serving them to guests.
Venz
Jumbo lists Venz Puur chocolate sprinkles in a 400 g pack.
- The stated pack weight helps you plan how much you’ll need.
- Check the pack for cocoa content, ingredients and allergens if these details will affect your choice.
Jumbo
Jumbo lists its own dark chocolate sprinkles in packs including 380 g and 600 g sizes.
- The 600 g pack is worth considering if you’re serving a large number of guests.
- For a comparison of cocoa content and allergens, check the details on the specific pack.
Kiekeboe (ALDI)
ALDI lists Kiekeboe Hagelslag Puur in a 600 g pack.
- The pack weight gives you a useful starting point for a table with several guests.
- Check the label for ingredients, allergens and any stated cocoa content.
Mister Choc (Lidl)
Lidl lists Mister Choc Hagelslag Puur in its range.
- A dark variety to consider alongside other packs.
- Check the pack’s weight, ingredients, allergens and any cocoa content before comparing.
Dark chocolate sprinkles on Joybuy
This 200 g pack is aimed at a small Christmas table where the stated minimum cocoa content is a factor in choosing.
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De Ruijter Intens Puur dark chocolate sprinkles 200 g
An option if you’re looking for dark sprinkles with a stated minimum cocoa content for a small dessert table.
Albert Heijn states that De Ruijter Intens Puur contains at least 52% cocoa solids. The pack contains 200 g, so check whether that’s enough for your guests.
The product information lists milk and soya. If you’re catering for guests with allergies, also read the rest of the allergen information on the current label.
Frequently asked questions
Which dark chocolate sprinkles should I choose if cocoa content matters?
Compare the minimum percentage of cocoa solids on the pack. Albert Heijn states at least 52% for De Ruijter Intens Puur and at least 43% for Royaal Extra Puur. Those figures alone don’t tell you which flavour your guests will prefer.
Are dark chocolate sprinkles suitable for guests who avoid milk or soya?
Don’t assume so: the De Ruijter Intens Puur and Royaal Extra Puur varieties considered list milk and soya. Check the ingredients and allergen information on the exact pack you’re serving.
How much should I put out on a dessert table?
Base the amount on the number of guests and what else you’re serving. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre uses 15 g of dark chocolate sprinkles as a portion in its nutritional information. This is a reference for dark chocolate sprinkles in general, not the nutritional value of a specific product.
How should I store an opened pack after the Christmas celebration?
Follow the storage advice on the pack. Joybuy’s product information for De Ruijter Intens Puur recommends a cool, dry place away from sunlight, heat and moisture. Also check the best-before date on the pack.