Which option is right for you?

If you like seeds in your breakfast cake

You want seeds as an ingredient in the breakfast cake, not just a wholemeal claim on the packaging. So, check which seeds are listed in the ingredients before choosing a bar or cake.

If you want to share breakfast cake

You want to serve several portions easily at Mother’s Day breakfast. A sliced cake offers a different format from individually wrapped bars, so also compare how many slices or bars are in the pack.

If you need to check the label carefully

You take ingredients such as rye and other gluten-containing cereals, or possible traces of nuts and milk, into account when serving. Check the packaging of the product you choose; don’t assume it contains iodised baker’s salt based on the product category either.

What should you look for when choosing?

First decide whether seeds, serving at the table or nutritional information matters most to you. Then check the packaging of the variety you choose: a sliced wholemeal breakfast cake and a seeded bar won’t necessarily meet the same needs.

What to consider What to check when buying Who is this important to?
Seeds and texture Look for the type of seeds in the ingredients list and check whether you’re buying a bar, sliced cake or unsliced cake. If I specifically want seeds in my breakfast cake, a wholemeal claim alone doesn’t tell me enough. For around 36% of consumers, having seeds is the most important factor.
Portions and easy sharing Compare the number of bars or slices and check whether they’re individually wrapped or pre-sliced. For breakfast with several people, I want to serve everyone without having to do lots of cutting; individual bars and slices are both suitable, in different ways. Around 29% of consumers put serving first.
Wholemeal and nutritional information Check which wholemeal ingredients are listed and compare fibre and sugars per 100 g; also look out for sweeteners. When I’m mainly looking for wholemeal ingredients and fibre, I want to compare those details, even if the cake doesn’t contain seeds. That’s the main consideration for around 21% of consumers.
Allergens and ingredients Check the latest allergen information and ingredients list; don’t assume the product contains iodised baker’s salt based on its name. If I’m serving someone with a relevant allergy or want to check for a specific ingredient, I need to be able to assess the packaging before breakfast. For around 14% of consumers, this check comes first.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming wholemeal means the cake contains seeds

    The ingredients list for the sliced wholemeal variety described by Peijnenburg doesn’t mention seeds. So a cake may meet your wholemeal preference without giving you the texture you chose it for.

    Check wholemeal ingredients and seeds separately on the label.

  • Assuming ‘no added sugars’ means sugar-free

    According to Peijnenburg, its sliced wholemeal variety contains 4,9 g of sugars per 100 g and includes xylitol. So the front of the pack doesn’t tell you everything about the nutritional information and ingredients.

    Check the ‘of which sugars’ figure, ingredients list and serving size before comparing varieties.

  • Checking allergens only once the cake is on the table

    The Korenlanders plain breakfast cake described by PLUS contains wheat and rye and may contain various nuts. Which warnings are relevant depends on the product you’re serving.

    Check the latest packaging when you buy the product and before serving. If you’re buying unwrapped breakfast cake, ask for the allergen information.

  • Assuming breakfast cake contains iodine because of its name

    Dutch regulations provide for iodine to be added via baker’s salt to certain bakery products. For bread, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre points out that bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt. So the product category alone doesn’t confirm which salt is used in a particular breakfast cake.

    Check the ingredients list for that breakfast cake or ask the manufacturer.

Brands to consider

Peijnenburg

Peijnenburg describes both individually wrapped breakfast cake bars and a sliced wholemeal breakfast cake with no added sugars.

  • The pack of bars described contains four individually wrapped bars of 36,7 g each. The sliced wholemeal variety contains 12 slices in a 345 g pack.
  • The ingredients list for that wholemeal variety doesn’t mention seeds. If you choose a bar, check its label separately to see whether it contains the seeds you want and which allergens and sweeteners are listed.

Koek & Bakker

Koek & Bakker is ALDI’s own brand for the sliced wholemeal breakfast cake and sliced zero variety described here.

  • ALDI describes both as pre-sliced 485 g packs and labels the zero variety ‘no added sugars’.
  • Check the packaging of the variety you choose to see whether it contains seeds and what nutritional information and allergens apply.

PLUS Korenlanders

PLUS describes a 500 g Korenlanders plain breakfast cake that you can slice into portions yourself.

  • The larger, unsliced cake lets you divide it into slices at the table.
  • PLUS lists wheat and rye and says it may contain various nuts. The plain variety shouldn’t be assumed to contain seeds based on its name.

Products for Mother’s Day breakfast

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Is seeded breakfast cake the same as wholemeal bread with seeds?

No, breakfast cake and wholemeal bread are different products. If you specifically want seeds for Mother’s Day breakfast, check the ingredients list for the breakfast cake itself rather than assuming it contains seeds because it includes cereals or is described as wholemeal.

Is breakfast cake with no added sugars also sugar-free?

No, ‘no added sugars’ doesn’t mean sugar-free. According to the brand’s nutritional information, Peijnenburg’s sliced wholemeal variety contains 4,9 g of sugars per 100 g and includes xylitol. Compare the nutritional information and ingredients of the variety you want to buy.

What should I look out for if a guest has a food allergy?

Check the allergen information for the specific breakfast cake you’re serving. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains that allergens must be listed on the labels of prepacked foods; also read any warnings about the possible presence of other ingredients. If you’re buying unwrapped cake, ask for the allergen information.

Does all breakfast cake contain iodine because of baker’s salt?

You can’t tell from the name breakfast cake. Dutch regulations provide for the use of iodised baker’s salt in certain bakery products, while the Netherlands Nutrition Centre explains that baker’s salt isn’t compulsory for bread. Check the ingredients list for the breakfast cake you’ve chosen or ask the manufacturer.