Which packaging works best for you?

For travellers packing for several days

If you often take Dutch breakfast cake with you, you can slice portions from a large loaf at home for separate journeys. Just think about how you’ll store the rest once it’s opened.

For travellers who want to grab and go

If you don’t want to slice it in the morning, pre-sliced Dutch breakfast cake may suit your routine better. Check separately whether the slices are individually wrapped too; pre-sliced doesn’t automatically mean individually wrapped.

For travellers who compare labels

If sugar, fibre, the type of grain or allergens are important to you, compare the exact varieties. A description such as wholemeal doesn’t, on its own, give you the full picture of the nutritional value or allergens.

What should you look for when choosing?

First decide how much preparation you want to do at home and which type of packaging you’d prefer on the train. Then compare the labels of the varieties that suit you.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Enough for several journeys Check the pack weight and decide how many slices you want to cut and store yourself. If I’m packing for several days of travel, I want to be able to prepare portions from one pack at home. Around 25% of consumers prioritise this option.
Ready to take with you Check whether the cake is pre-sliced or individually wrapped; these are different types of packaging. For an early start, I want to be able to grab a slice without a knife. Around 25% of consumers value this convenience most.
Nutritional information Compare sugar and fibre per 100 g and, if shown, per portion. Check the ingredients for wholemeal varieties too. I want to know what’s in my usual portion, rather than judging by the variety name alone. Around 25% of consumers prioritise comparing labels.
Ingredients and allergens Read the current ingredients and allergen information on the exact pack; check any gluten-free claim separately. If I need to avoid certain ingredients, the information on the pack determines which variety I can choose. Around 25% of consumers make this check their first priority.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming pre-sliced means individually wrapped

    A pre-sliced loaf may still have all the slices in one pack. That matters if you only want to take one portion with you.

    Check the type of packaging and, if needed, take a resealable container or bag with you.

  • Treating a nutritional claim as the whole story

    Wholemeal or a claim about added sugar doesn’t, on its own, tell you how much sugar and fibre you’ll get per portion.

    Read the nutritional information per 100 g and per portion, along with the ingredients list.

  • Assuming all varieties have the same ingredients

    A gluten-free claim doesn’t mean a product is free from other allergens too. Nor can you tell from the Dutch breakfast cake category which type of salt a particular variety uses.

    Check the exact pack for allergens and ingredients, especially if this information determines your choice.

Brands to consider

These brands offer several types of Dutch breakfast cake. So compare the specific variety and packaging, not just the brand name.

Peijnenburg

Peijnenburg offers pre-sliced and wholemeal varieties, as well as Dutch breakfast cake specifically labelled gluten-free.

  • There are varieties to suit different packaging and ingredient preferences.
  • Check the nutritional information and other allergens for each variety; a gluten-free claim doesn’t tell you everything.

Albert Heijn

The own-brand range includes a large standard pack and several pre-sliced varieties.

  • You can choose the packaging to suit whether you want to slice it at home or take it with you straight away.
  • Check the label of your chosen variety when you buy it: Albert Heijn notes that ingredients, nutritional values and allergen information can change.

Jumbo

The own-brand range includes a large unsliced plain loaf, pre-sliced cake and bars.

  • The different formats suit both portioning at home and taking with you straight away.
  • An unsliced loaf needs preparing before you can put a single slice in your bag.

Koek & Bakker (ALDI)

ALDI offers, among other products under this own brand, pre-sliced wholemeal Dutch breakfast cake.

  • The 485 g pre-sliced wholemeal variety needs no preparation at home.
  • Compare the full nutritional information and ingredients when choosing between varieties.

Tastino (Lidl)

Lidl offers plain and wholemeal Dutch breakfast cake, as well as breakfast cake bars.

  • There are both larger loaves and bars, so you can compare the formats.
  • Check the exact variety and packaging for bars; they’re not the same product as a large loaf.

PLUS

The PLUS own-brand range includes Dutch breakfast cake with pearl sugar and ginger.

  • You can choose from a range of flavours.
  • The PLUS variety with pearl sugar lists wheat and rye, among other ingredients; check the allergens for the variety you buy.

Dutch breakfast cake at Joybuy

This pre-sliced Dutch breakfast cake is a good fit for travellers who don’t want to slice it at home. Before choosing, check that the packaging meets your needs when it comes to ingredients and allergens.

g'woon pre-sliced wholemeal Dutch breakfast cake, 485 g

g'woon pre-sliced wholemeal Dutch breakfast cake 485 g

The pre-sliced format suits anyone who wants to take a slice with them without having to cut it at home.

The pack contains 485 g. The product information about rye and allergens is contradictory; if you avoid gluten or other allergens, check the current packaging carefully.

View at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

What’s convenient to take on an NS train?

A pre-sliced portion means you won’t need a knife while travelling; you can also cut a portion from a large loaf yourself. Take something to reseal the packaging, and put any rubbish in a bin, as NS requests in its house rules.

Is wholemeal Dutch breakfast cake gluten-free too?

No, wholemeal doesn’t mean gluten-free. If you need a gluten-free product, check that the exact variety is labelled as such and read the information about other allergens too.

What does the nutritional information say about standard Dutch breakfast cake?

The Netherlands Nutrition Centre (Voedingscentrum) lists 11.2 g of sugar and 1.1 g of fibre for a 30 g slice of standard Dutch breakfast cake. Values can vary by product and portion, so compare the nutritional information on the pack you buy.

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

You can’t tell from the name Dutch breakfast cake alone. Check the ingredients for the specific variety, or ask the manufacturer which salt was used if this matters to your choice.

How should you store a large pack for several train journeys?

Follow the storage advice on the packaging and seal the pack well after opening. Cut only the portions you want to take with you, so you can store the rest according to the pack instructions.