Which option is right for you?

Home bakers who want to control the cocoa flavour

If a pronounced, dark flavour matters to you, start with a basic egg cake recipe and try your own variation on a small scale first. This won’t guarantee a particular flavour or texture.

Anyone looking for a quick dessert base

A ready-made egg cake can be used as the base for a dessert. Check the ingredients if you specifically want cocoa in the cake: a standard variety, or a product with ‘chocolate’ in its name, may not have a high cocoa content.

Anyone for whom allergens are a deciding factor

It’s important to check the exact product. The varieties described contain ingredients including egg and wheat; some also list milk and soya. Read the current ingredients list and any warnings on the packaging.

What should you look for when choosing?

First decide whether you want to control the mixture and flavour yourself, or use a ready-made egg cake as a dessert base. Then check what the variety you’ve chosen says about cocoa and allergens.

What to consider What to check Who should consider it?
Rich cocoa flavour Check whether a cocoa percentage is given, and whether the cocoa is in the mixture or only in the decoration or filling. If you want the egg cake itself to have a rich cocoa flavour, the product name ‘chocolate’ alone tells you very little; around 42% of consumers put this flavour question first.
Control over baking Consider whether you want to use an oven and mixer, and whether you have room to test-bake an adapted version first. If you value a light texture more than speed, you’ll want to experiment with the mixture; around 33% of consumers put this control over baking first.
Allergens Read the current ingredients list and any ‘may contain’ warnings for the exact product. If you’re baking or serving for yourself or someone else with an allergy, you need to know which ingredients are in the variety you choose; this is the main concern for around 25% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming ‘choco’ or ‘chocolate’ means a high cocoa content

    The Jumbo chocolate egg cakes described list chocolate ingredients or cocoa-flavoured decoration. That doesn’t mean the egg cake as a whole has a high cocoa content.

    For a current variety, check whether a cocoa percentage is given and where the cocoa is used: in the mixture, decoration or filling.

  • Treating an old product page as a current buying option

    Jumbo says that the two chocolate egg cakes described are no longer in its online range.

    Check whether the exact product is currently available before planning your dessert around it.

  • Guessing allergens from the product name

    The allergens listed vary between egg cake varieties. The products described include ingredients such as egg, wheat, milk and soya; warnings about the possible presence of other allergens may also be relevant.

    If you’re choosing a product for someone with an allergy, read the ingredients list and warnings on the current packaging for the exact variety.

  • Assuming a temporary supermarket offer will always be available

    A supermarket listing with a limited offer period tells you nothing about whether the product will be available for a future baking occasion.

    Before buying, check that the product is in stock, then read the ingredients and allergen information on the packaging in store.

Brands and supermarket own-label options

Albert Heijn

Egg cakes in standard, wholemeal and spelt varieties, among others, can be used as a ready-made dessert base.

  • For AH Egg Cakes, Albert Heijn lists the ingredients and allergens. The standard pack is 360 g and, according to the product information, contains 20% free-range egg.
  • This standard variety isn’t automatically a dark cocoa option. Check the current label if the ingredients or allergens matter to you.

Jumbo

The egg cake range includes several varieties for anyone looking for a ready-made base.

  • The Jumbo online category listing described includes standard, mini, wholemeal and gluten-free egg cakes.
  • According to their Jumbo product pages, the two chocolate egg cakes described are no longer in the online range. Their names also don’t confirm a high cocoa content.

Bolletje

The crisp egg cakes described, with a milk coating or cinnamon, are different from a soft, freshly baked egg cake.

  • The product information distinguishes between the milk and cinnamon varieties.
  • The varieties described list allergens including wheat, egg, milk and soya. They don’t confirm a dark variety with a high cocoa content.

Lidl

The 12-pack described is an option to consider if you’re looking for a ready-made base.

  • The store listing specifies a pack of 12.
  • Check current availability in store, and read the ingredients, allergens and any cocoa information on the pack.

ALDI / Heerlijck Banket

The barn-egg cakes described are a standard option if you want to serve several egg cakes.

  • ALDI lists a pack of 12, weighing 360 g, made with barn eggs.
  • Don’t assume these details mean the cakes have a dark cocoa flavour or are suitable for someone with an allergy. Check the packaging for the exact product.

Joybuy products

Explore baking essentials on Joybuy, including cocoa powder for a richer chocolate flavour, eggs for your mixture and flour for baking.

Frequently asked questions

Does ‘choco’ or ‘chocolate’ mean an egg cake will taste dark?

No. The name alone doesn’t confirm a high cocoa content or a particular flavour. The Jumbo chocolate egg cakes described list chocolate ingredients or cocoa-flavoured decoration, but according to their product pages they’re no longer in the online range. For a current variety, check the ingredients and see whether a cocoa percentage is given.

Are egg cakes suitable for someone with an egg, gluten, milk or soya allergy?

You can only assess that for the exact variety by checking its current ingredients and warnings. The egg cakes described contain ingredients including egg and wheat; some varieties also list milk and soya. If you have an allergy, always read the packaging before using the product.

Can I adapt a basic egg cake recipe by adding cocoa?

You can try your own variation in a small test batch first, but the basic Albert Heijn Allerhande recipe doesn’t specify an amount of cocoa or guarantee a particular result for a dark variety. The recipe says to whisk the eggs and sugar until light and fluffy for five minutes; bear in mind that the mixture spreads during baking.

Why should I read the label if I’ve already viewed the egg cake online?

The packaging for the exact product matters when making your final choice, as ingredients and allergen information can change. Albert Heijn therefore advises customers to read the packaging. If it matters for your dessert, also check whether the cocoa is in the mixture or only in the decoration or filling.