If you want guests to help themselves quickly
A pre-sliced cake saves you cutting it up during the party. Peijnenburg states that its 550 g sliced plain version contains 18 slices, which can help you plan how many to serve.
Which pack is best for you?
If you want to tailor the amount to your group
Compare the net weight with the number of guests and what else you’re serving. PLUS lists an unsliced 550 g Dutch breakfast cake, while Albert Heijn lists a 600 g cake. With an unsliced cake, you decide how large the pieces should be.
If you need to check ingredients and allergens
Don’t rely on the product category alone: check the ingredients, nutrition information and allergen warnings on the pack you plan to serve. This is particularly important if any of your guests have specific dietary requirements or allergies.
What should you look for when choosing?
First, work out how much cake you want to serve and how guests will help themselves. Then check what information you’ll need to meet their dietary requirements.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Amount | Compare the net weight with the stated number of slices or portions. | I want to serve enough cake and estimate how many pieces I can hand out. For around 37% of consumers, the amount is the top priority. |
| Ease of serving | Check whether the cake is unsliced, pre-sliced or individually wrapped. | If guests are helping themselves from the table, I don’t want to have to stop and cut it up. Ease of serving is the most important factor for around 27% of consumers. |
| Dietary preferences | Compare the ingredients and nutritional values of the exact product, including sugars and fibre per 100 g. | I want to check that a specific preference, such as a wholemeal option, is reflected in the actual nutrition information. This is the most important consideration for around 18% of consumers. |
| Allergens | Check the current pack for ingredients and any warnings about the possible presence of allergens. | Before offering a guest a slice, I want to know which allergens are listed for this product. This check is a priority for around 18% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming the weight means a set number of portions
Two cakes of a similar weight won’t necessarily give you the same number of ready-to-serve pieces. Peijnenburg explicitly states that its 550 g sliced version contains 18 slices; with an unsliced cake, the number depends on how you cut it.
Use any stated portion information to plan ahead. If there isn’t any, decide in advance how you’ll divide up the cake.
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Taking a product name as a complete picture of its nutritional value
A description such as ‘zero’ or ‘wholemeal’ doesn’t tell you on its own how much sugar or fibre the Dutch breakfast cake contains.
Check the nutrition table and ingredients for the exact product. Compare values on the same basis, for example per 100 g.
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Assuming every cake contains iodine-enriched baker’s salt
The fact that one Dutch breakfast cake lists baker’s salt doesn’t tell you exactly what’s in another product.
If iodine is important to your choice, check the ingredients list on the pack you actually plan to serve.
Brands to consider
Always compare the specific pack within each brand: the slicing, weight and ingredients can vary between products.
Peijnenburg
Peijnenburg offers, among other products, a 550 g sliced plain Dutch breakfast cake and individually wrapped slices.
- The sliced version lists 18 slices, which can help you plan how many to serve.
- Check the ingredients and allergens for each product; the pack of individually wrapped slices is not the same as the large sliced cake.
Albert Heijn
Its own-brand range includes a 600 g Dutch breakfast cake for anyone comparing pack weights.
- The stated net weight can help you plan how much to buy.
- Check the information on the pack you buy, including the ingredients and allergens.
Jumbo
Jumbo lists, among other products, a 475 g sliced plain Dutch breakfast cake and a 550 g plain version.
- These options give you a choice of size and slicing.
- When planning portions, don’t rely on the weight alone; also check the pack details for the product you choose.
PLUS
PLUS lists a 550 g unsliced plain Dutch breakfast cake.
- With an unsliced cake, you can decide how large the pieces should be.
- You’ll need to slice the cake yourself before serving.
Koek & Bakker
ALDI lists 485 g pre-sliced zero and wholemeal versions from Koek & Bakker.
- The versions listed are pre-sliced.
- Check the nutritional values, ingredients and allergens on the pack you choose, rather than relying on the product name alone.
Tastino
Lidl lists Tastino Dutch breakfast cakes in sizes from 465 to 550 g, including an unsliced plain version.
- These sizes are worth considering if you’re looking for a cake to share with several guests.
- For the product you choose, check both whether it’s sliced and the latest information on the pack.
Dutch breakfast cake for different ways of serving
These Dutch breakfast cakes suit three ways of serving: cutting your own slices, putting out a pre-sliced cake or handing out smaller portions. Choose a pack weight to suit your group and always check the label if guests have dietary requirements.
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g'woon unsliced Dutch breakfast cake 550 g
For anyone who wants to decide how large the pieces should be at the party; remember you’ll need to slice it before serving.
If any guests have allergen requirements, check the ingredients and allergen information on the pack.
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Snelle Jelle Breakfast Cake Less Sugar-Free 250 g
A smaller pack to consider if you want to hand out individual portions rather than cut into a large cake.
Don’t infer the nutritional value from the product name: compare the sugar and other values on the pack, and check the allergen information.
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g'woon sliced Dutch breakfast cake 485 g
For anyone who wants to put a sliced cake on the table without having to cut it during the party. Use the pack details and what else you’re serving to decide whether 485 g is enough for your group.
If your guests have dietary requirements, check the nutrition information, ingredients and allergens on the pack.
Frequently asked questions
How much Dutch breakfast cake should I serve at a birthday party?
Use the net weight and, if stated, the number of slices to plan. Peijnenburg lists 18 slices for its 550 g sliced plain cake. Then think about how many guests will want some and what else you’ll be serving.
Should I choose sliced, unsliced or individually wrapped Dutch breakfast cake?
Choose a sliced cake if you want guests to be able to take a slice straight away, or an unsliced cake if you want to decide the portion size yourself. Individually wrapped slices are handy for handing out one per person; just check that the pack contains enough for your group.
How do I check Dutch breakfast cake for a guest with an allergy?
Check the ingredients and allergen warnings on the exact pack before serving the cake. Rye is a gluten-containing grain, so don’t assume a product is suitable based on its name.
How can I tell whether a Dutch breakfast cake contains iodine-enriched baker’s salt?
Check the ingredients list on the specific pack; don’t assume every Dutch breakfast cake contains the same salt. If this information matters to your choice, check the label of the product you plan to serve.