If you want to cut your own thick slices
If the thickness of your snack is your priority, an unsliced loaf of Dutch breakfast cake lets you choose how thick to cut each slice. You will need a knife, though.
Which type is right for you?
If you want to grab a slice straight away
A pre-sliced pack can be handy for breakfast or a snack when you’re doing your first shop. Albert Heijn, Jumbo, PLUS, ALDI and Lidl offer sliced varieties, but ‘sliced’ doesn’t tell you how thick they are.
If you want to compare labels
If sugar, fibre, ingredients or allergens influence your choice, compare the nutritional information for the specific varieties. A label such as ‘wholemeal’ doesn’t tell you how thick the slices are.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether cutting your own slices or grabbing one straight from the pack matters more to you. Then check the nutritional information and ingredients on the pack you’re considering.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who is this most important to? |
|---|---|---|
| Choosing the thickness yourself | Choose an unsliced loaf if you want to cut your own slices. For a pre-sliced pack, look for a specific slice-size measurement; the total weight alone doesn’t confirm how thick the slices are. | I want to be able to cut a thicker slice than the ones in a standard pack, even if it means a little extra effort. For around 42% of consumers, having control over the thickness comes first. |
| Grabbing a slice straight away | Check whether the pack is pre-sliced and look at the number of slices or servings, if stated. | For a quick snack, I don’t want to need a knife and I’m happy with a set slice size. For around 33% of consumers, convenience is the main reason. |
| Nutritional information and ingredients | Compare sugar, fibre and salt per 100 g and per serving; if you have a relevant allergy, read the allergen information too. | I want to know what’s in the slice I’ve chosen, especially if I cut myself a larger portion. Around 25% of consumers put checking the label first. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming ‘sliced’ means ‘thickly sliced’
A sliced pack gives you individual slices, but the word doesn’t tell you how thick they are. Even a label such as ‘XL’ is worth checking against the actual slice size.
If thickness is essential, choose an unsliced loaf of Dutch breakfast cake. If you want pre-sliced cake, check the size information or look at the slices shown on the pack.
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Assuming a slice you cut yourself is a standard serving
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre uses a 30 g reference slice of Dutch breakfast cake, containing 92 kcal. A slice you cut thicker yourself may weigh more than that reference serving.
If you cut a larger slice, compare its weight with the nutritional values per 100 g on your pack.
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Confusing a claim on the front with the full ingredients list
‘No added sugars’ doesn’t mean the same as sugar-free. Ingredients and any warnings can also vary between varieties.
Read the sugar information in the nutrition table, the ingredients list and the warnings on the specific pack.
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Assuming the product category tells you whether it contains iodine
The label ‘Dutch breakfast cake’ doesn’t tell you whether iodised baker’s salt was used in the product.
If the presence of iodised salt matters to your choice, check the ingredients list on the pack.
Brands to compare
Peijnenburg
Peijnenburg offers sliced and unsliced Dutch breakfast cake, including varieties with different ingredients.
- According to Albert Heijn, Peijnenburg Naturel Gesneden 550 g contains 18 slices.
- The number of slices doesn’t confirm how thick they are. The unsliced variety labelled gluten-free is a separate Peijnenburg product.
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn offers sliced Dutch breakfast cake under its own brand alongside branded varieties.
- The range gives you a starting point for comparing regular and wholemeal sliced varieties.
- A product appearing in the range tells you nothing about the actual slice thickness or whether it’s available in your shop.
Jumbo
Jumbo offers both sliced and unsliced Dutch breakfast cake, so you can choose between ready-to-eat convenience and cutting your own slices.
- According to Jumbo, the Naturel Gesneden 475 g pack contains 19 servings.
- The number of servings doesn’t tell you how thick the slices are. Check the information about rye, wheat and potential allergens for this variety.
PLUS
PLUS offers a 485 g sliced plain variety to compare with other sliced Dutch breakfast cakes.
- PLUS provides nutritional values per 100 g for its sliced plain variety.
- Check the allergen information on the pack for this variety; ‘sliced’ doesn’t tell you how thick each slice is.
Koek & Bakker (ALDI)
This ALDI own-brand range includes a pre-sliced wholemeal variety and a pre-sliced zero variety.
- ALDI lists both of these varieties in 485 g packs.
- The names and pack weights don’t tell you how thick the slices are; check the label when assessing nutrition claims.
Lidl
Lidl offers a 485 g wholemeal sliced Dutch breakfast cake for in-store purchase.
- According to Lidl, this variety is pre-sliced and only available in store.
- Check the pack in store if the slice size or availability is important to your choice.
Dutch breakfast cake on Joybuy
These three packs offer two options for your first shop: cut your own slices from an unsliced loaf of Dutch breakfast cake, or grab a slice straight from a pre-sliced pack. If thickness or ingredients are important to you, compare the slices and the label on the product you choose.
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g'woon unsliced Dutch breakfast cake, 550 g
For anyone who wants to cut themselves a thicker slice. The cake is unsliced and weighs 550 g; you’ll need a knife and can choose your own serving size.
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g'woon sliced wholemeal Dutch breakfast cake, 485 g
For anyone looking for a pre-sliced wholemeal variety and wanting to grab a slice straight away. The pack weighs 485 g; check the slices on the pack if their thickness matters to you.
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g'woon sliced Dutch breakfast cake, 485 g
For anyone who wants to grab a slice without cutting it themselves. The pack contains 485 g of sliced Dutch breakfast cake; check the slice size and allergen information on the packaging.
Frequently asked questions
Is sliced Dutch breakfast cake also thickly sliced?
No, ‘sliced’ only confirms that the cake has been cut into slices. If you want to choose the thickness yourself, opt for an unsliced loaf; for a pre-sliced pack, check the actual slice size.
How do I compare the nutritional values of a thick slice?
Use the nutritional values per 100 g on the specific pack and take into account the weight of the slice you eat. A slice you cut yourself may not weigh the same as the serving used for any per-slice information.
Can I choose regular Dutch breakfast cake if I need to avoid gluten?
Don’t rely on the product name alone: the regular varieties mentioned from Jumbo and PLUS contain rye or gluten-containing grains. Peijnenburg has a separate unsliced variety labelled gluten-free; always check the allergen statement on the specific pack before buying.
How should I store an opened pack of Dutch breakfast cake?
Follow the storage and best-before instructions on your own packaging. For its sliced plain variety, Jumbo recommends storing it in a sealed tin after opening.