Who is this choice relevant to?

Organisers looking for Fairtrade cocoa

You want to be able to justify your choice of cocoa for the Easter eggs, with breakfast cake as an optional extra treat at most. So check the Fairtrade claim on the Easter egg packaging itself.

People handing out treats who want to compare nutritional information

You’re looking for breakfast cake for a group and want to compare wholemeal ingredients, fibre, sugars or sweeteners. This information tells you nothing about whether the Easter eggs carry a Fairtrade claim.

Organisers with questions about allergens or gluten

Before handing out the treats, you need to know the ingredients and allergens in both. Breakfast cake labelled gluten-free may be an option, but you should still check the current label.

What should you look for?

First, make your Fairtrade choice for the Easter eggs. Then compare breakfast cakes on the features that matter to your group and the occasion.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Fairtrade cocoa Look for the Fairtrade claim on the specific Easter egg product and check where you can buy it. If I want to offer Fairtrade cocoa, the chocolate I choose must carry the claim. Around 40% of consumers put this choice of cocoa first.
Nutritional information Compare ingredients and nutritional values per 100 g and, where shown, per portion; check for sweeteners too. For an extra treat, I want to know how the breakfast cakes differ in wholemeal ingredients, fibre and sugars. Around 30% of consumers put this consideration first.
Gluten and allergens Check the current ingredients, allergens and any cross-contamination warning for each product. I want to check which treat meets the group’s allergen requirements before handing them out. For around 20% of consumers, this is their first consideration.
Easy to hand out Check whether the cake is sliced or individually wrapped, and how many portions you need. When getting ready for the egg hunt, I want to be able to hand out the extra treat easily. Around 10% of consumers prioritise this convenience.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming a Fairtrade claim on chocolate also applies to breakfast cake

    Fairtrade Nederland includes chocolate in Albert Heijn’s Fairtrade range. That doesn’t make breakfast cake from the same shop a Fairtrade product. The PLUS product page for one Easter egg variety specifically states Fairtrade Cocoa.

    Check the claim on the exact Easter eggs you’re buying. Only describe breakfast cake as Fairtrade if the packaging for that cake supports the claim.

  • Handing out regular rye cake without checking allergens

    The regular varieties from Peijnenburg and Jumbo described here contain rye. The Peijnenburg variety also states that it may contain milk and nuts, among other allergens.

    Check the current label for every treat and keep any separate gluten-free option away from products containing gluten.

  • Assuming ‘Zero’ means you don’t need to check the portion

    The Jumbo Zero breakfast cake described here contains sweeteners. Jumbo states that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.

    Check the ingredients and portion size before choosing this variety for a group.

Brands to consider

Recipes, packaging and nutritional information can vary between breakfast cakes from the same brand. So compare the specific variety, not just the brand name.

Peijnenburg

Peijnenburg offers a range of breakfast cakes, including wholemeal, individually wrapped and gluten-free-labelled varieties.

  • The wholemeal variety with no added sugars states that it is 100% wholemeal and contains 17 g of fibre per 100 g.
  • The gluten-free plain variety has a different recipe and lists 42 g of sugars per 100 g, so compare the varieties separately.

Albert Heijn huismerk

Albert Heijn lists a 350 g sliced own-brand breakfast cake.

  • The fact that it’s sliced is worth considering when planning portions.
  • Fairtrade chocolate in Albert Heijn’s range, as mentioned by Fairtrade Nederland, says nothing about the Fairtrade status of this breakfast cake.

Jumbo huismerk

Jumbo offers a sliced Zero breakfast cake containing sweeteners.

  • For the variety described, Jumbo lists 17.4 g of fibre and 5.8 g of sugars per 100 g.
  • Jumbo warns that excessive consumption of this variety may have a laxative effect.

Koek & Bakker

This ALDI own brand offers pre-sliced wholemeal breakfast cake, as well as a pre-sliced Zero variety.

  • ALDI lists the pre-sliced wholemeal variety in a 485 g pack.
  • Check the ingredients and allergens on the pack you choose; the name ‘Zero’ is no substitute for checking.

Tastino

Lidl has sold Tastino breakfast cake as a store-exclusive product.

  • The listed pack sizes ranged from 465 to 550 g; check which variety you’re looking at.
  • Check the latest in-store information if you’re looking for a specific variety.

Breakfast cake on Joybuy to serve with Easter eggs

You can consider these breakfast cakes as a separate treat to serve alongside your chosen Easter eggs. Check the Fairtrade cocoa claim on the eggs, and always check the current label on the cake.

Snelle Jelle Less Sugar-Free breakfast cake, 250 g

Snelle Jelle Less Sugar-Free breakfast cake, 250 g

A handy extra treat if you want to serve breakfast cake in portions. The variety name alone doesn’t tell you how much sugar the cake contains, so check the nutritional information on the packaging. Check the ingredients and allergens too before handing it out.

View on Joybuy
g'woon wholemeal sliced breakfast cake, 485 g

g'woon wholemeal sliced breakfast cake, 485 g

Ideal if you want to portion out the cake without slicing it yourself. This wholemeal variety comes in a 485 g pack. If you have questions about gluten or other allergens, check the current label; ‘wholemeal’ doesn’t provide that information.

View on Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Can I serve Fairtrade Easter eggs with regular breakfast cake?

Yes, as long as you only apply the Fairtrade claim to the chocolate product that carries it. The PLUS Easter eggs described here state Fairtrade Cocoa; that says nothing about the breakfast cake you choose to serve with them.

Is rye breakfast cake gluten-free?

No, rye contains gluten. If you need a gluten-free option, choose a variety labelled gluten-free and check its current ingredients and allergen information too.

Does ‘no added sugars’ mean breakfast cake contains no sugars or sweeteners?

No. For the Peijnenburg variety described as having no added sugars, the label lists 4.9 g of sugars per 100 g and xylitol; the Jumbo Zero variety described here also contains sweeteners. Compare both the nutritional values and the ingredients.

Can you assume breakfast cake contains iodised baker’s salt?

No, the product type alone doesn’t tell you. Check the ingredients list or ask the manufacturer which salt was used. Voedingscentrum points out that baker’s salt isn’t always used.

How should I store the treats before the Easter egg hunt?

Follow the storage instructions on both packs. The PLUS Easter eggs and Jumbo breakfast cake described here both state that the product should be stored in a cool, dry place.