Buffet hosts who want to cut thick slices themselves
If you want to use Dutch breakfast cake as a base for topped bites, an unsliced loaf lets you control the thickness of each slice. You’ll need to set aside time to cut the portions yourself.
Which type is right for you?
Hosts who want to serve portions quickly
A pre-sliced pack saves you the effort of cutting. When planning portions, check the weight and, if stated, the number of slices; neither confirms a specific slice thickness.
Buffet planners comparing labels
If you’re comparing varieties for their sugar, fibre or ingredients, check the nutritional information and allergen details on the pack you buy. Keep this information handy when serving the cake to guests.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether you want to cut the slices to your preferred thickness or simply serve them quickly. Then check the details on each pack so you know what you can tell your guests about the ingredients and nutritional value.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Slice thickness | Choose an unsliced loaf if you want to control the thickness yourself. Don’t try to work out the exact thickness from the weight or number of pre-sliced pieces. | For topped buffet bites, I want to decide how thick the slices are, even if that means cutting them myself; this is a priority for around 33% of consumers. |
| Allergens | Read the ingredients and allergen information on the exact pack, and keep it available at the buffet. | If guests ask about the ingredients, I want to be able to show them what’s in the Dutch breakfast cake; this is the main concern for around 27% of consumers. |
| Nutritional information | Compare sugar and fibre per 100 g and, if the portion size is given, per slice. Check the ingredients of wholemeal varieties. | I want to be able to choose between varieties with different sugar or fibre contents; around 20% of consumers prioritise this comparison. |
| Preparation and availability | Check that your preferred variety is available and look up your chosen shop’s opening hours around Boxing Day. | When I want to get the buffet ready quickly, it matters whether I can buy the cake in time and serve it straight away; this is the biggest consideration for around 20% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming all pre-sliced Dutch breakfast cake has thick slices
The number of slices or the pack weight won’t tell you their exact thickness. ‘Generously sliced’ is a product description, not a set measurement.
If thickness matters for your topped bites, choose an unsliced loaf and cut the slices yourself.
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Reading ‘no added sugars’ as ‘sugar-free’
Dutch breakfast cake with no added sugars may still contain sugar. The amount per slice also depends on the portion size.
Check the sugar and fibre figures in the nutrition table per 100 g, and only compare portions if you know their weight.
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Guessing allergens from the product name alone
Dutch breakfast cake may contain rye; the label may also mention other cereals in a warning about possible traces. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority points out that allergen information for pre-packed foods is shown on the label.
Read the label on the exact pack and keep it handy in case guests ask about the bites.
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Assuming normal opening hours on Boxing Day
Your planned shop could be difficult if your chosen store has different opening hours over the bank holiday.
Check your branch’s opening hours before planning your buffet shop. Lidl says that adjusted bank holiday opening hours can be checked using its store locator seven days in advance.
Brands to compare
Peijnenburg
Peijnenburg sells both sliced and unsliced plain Dutch breakfast cake, making it a useful brand to compare if you’re considering both types.
- Jumbo lists an unsliced plain variety weighing 345 g, among other products. Peijnenburg says its sliced plain variety, also weighing 345 g, contains 12 slices.
- The number of slices doesn’t confirm that they’re the thickness you want for your buffet.
PLUS
PLUS lists a 485 g pack of sliced plain Dutch breakfast cake and a 465 g pack of unsliced ginger cake.
- For its sliced plain variety, PLUS lists rye flour as an ingredient and says it may contain wheat, barley and oats.
- Check the ingredients and allergen information on the pack you actually buy for your buffet.
Koek & Bakker
ALDI lists pre-sliced wholemeal Dutch breakfast cake and a pre-sliced zero variety from Koek & Bakker.
- ALDI lists the wholemeal variety in a 485 g pack and describes the zero variety as having no added sugars.
- ‘Pre-sliced’ doesn’t tell you how thick each slice is.
Bolletje
An Albert Heijn product description calls Bolletje plain Dutch breakfast cake ‘generously sliced’.
- This description may help if you’re looking for a pre-sliced option for larger buffet portions.
- ‘Generously sliced’ doesn’t give an exact thickness. Albert Heijn also marked this product as discontinued, so check current availability before relying on it.
G'woon
This product selection includes both unsliced and sliced wholemeal Dutch breakfast cake from G'woon.
- Joybuy lists 43% wholemeal rye flour and 5.9 g of fibre per 100 g for the sliced wholemeal variety.
- The product information includes allergen details that conflict with the listed rye ingredient. Check the ingredients and allergens on the physical pack before serving it to guests.
Dutch breakfast cake for your buffet
These Joybuy products illustrate two options for your buffet: unsliced Dutch breakfast cake, which you can cut to your preferred thickness, and sliced wholemeal Dutch breakfast cake, which is ready to serve without any cutting. For both products, check the allergen information on the pack before serving them to guests.
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G'woon unsliced Dutch breakfast cake 550 g
A good choice if you want to control the slice thickness for topped buffet bites and have time to cut the cake yourself.
Unsliced Dutch breakfast cake in a 550 g pack.
The product information lists rye flour alongside conflicting allergen information. Before serving, check the ingredients and allergens on the physical pack.
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G'woon sliced wholemeal Dutch breakfast cake 485 g
An option if you want to serve pre-sliced portions and compare wholemeal varieties by their nutritional information; the slice thickness isn’t specified.
485 g pack. Joybuy lists 43% wholemeal rye flour and 5.9 g of fibre per 100 g.
The product information lists rye alongside conflicting allergen information. Before serving, check the ingredients and allergens on the physical pack.
Frequently asked questions
How can I cut thick slices of Dutch breakfast cake for buffet bites?
Choose an unsliced loaf if you want to control the slice thickness to suit your toppings. Pre-sliced cake saves time, but a stated weight or slice count won’t tell you the thickness in millimetres.
Is Dutch breakfast cake with no added sugars sugar-free?
No, Dutch breakfast cake with no added sugars may still contain sugar. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre lists 0.8 g of sugar in a 30 g slice of Dutch breakfast cake with no added sugar, compared with 11.2 g in a 30 g slice of regular Dutch breakfast cake. Check the label and portion size for the specific product you’re buying.
What allergen information should I keep handy at the buffet?
Keep the label from the Dutch breakfast cake you’re serving available so guests can check the ingredients and allergens. Look out for rye and any mentions of other cereals. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that allergen information for pre-packed foods is shown on the label.
Does Dutch breakfast cake naturally contain iodine from baker’s salt?
Don’t assume that Dutch breakfast cake contains iodine from baker’s salt. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says that bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt. Check the pack or ask the manufacturer which ingredients are used in the specific product.