Gamers who like to portion snacks in advance
If you don’t want to slice or portion anything during your session, look for sliced Dutch breakfast cake, bars or individually wrapped pieces. Check how many portions the pack contains.
Who is each snack for?
Anyone bringing a gift to a gaming night
If you want the snack to work as a gift or something to share, a box of chocolates is worth considering. Check the number of pieces and the flavours, which vary from box to box.
Shoppers comparing labels
If allergens or nutritional value will influence your choice, compare the specific products rather than just the Dutch breakfast cake and chocolate categories. Check sugars and fibre per 100 g and per portion, and read the latest allergen information.
What should you look for when choosing?
The packaging can help you decide what will be easy to share during your gaming night; the label tells you which product is right for everyone there.
Dutch breakfast cake
Choose this if: you want to set out slices or bars as portions in advance.
Bear in mind: the shape of the product tells you nothing about its nutritional value; compare the product you choose per portion and per 100 g.
Box of chocolates
Choose this if: giving a gift and having a choice of flavours are your priorities.
Bear in mind: the number of pieces, allergens and storage instructions vary by selection.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Portions and sharing | Check whether the Dutch breakfast cake is sliced or comes in bars, whether the chocolates are individually wrapped, and how many pieces the pack contains. | I want to portion out the snacks before the session so no one has to slice anything while gaming. For around 25% of consumers, portioning is the top priority. |
| Gifting and variety | Compare the presentation, number of pieces and flavours listed on the box of chocolates. | If I’m bringing something for the group, I want it to work as a gift and offer a choice. Gift appeal and variety matter most to around 25% of consumers. |
| Nutritional value | Compare sugars and fibre per 100 g and per portion, and check the size of that portion too. | During a long session, I want to know what I’m getting with each portion. Nutritional value is the main consideration for around 31% of consumers. |
| Allergens and storage | Read the latest ingredients and allergen information, including any warnings, and follow the storage instructions. | When I’m sharing snacks, I want to know which ingredients matter to others and how to store the product. For around 19% of consumers, checking the label comes first. |
Common mistakes
-
Judging Dutch breakfast cake by its name
The name tells you little about the nutritional value of a portion. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, an average 30 g slice of Dutch breakfast cake contains 11.2 g of sugars; the product and portion size you choose will determine how it compares.
Check sugars and fibre per 100 g and per portion, and work out how many portions you want to have ready.
-
Sharing a box of chocolates without checking allergens
An assortment can contain different ingredients in each variety. For its Merci Gift Box, Albert Heijn lists milk, hazelnuts, almonds and soya, among other ingredients, and notes that it may contain peanuts and egg. Other boxes may contain different ingredients.
Ask which allergens are relevant to the people there and check the latest packaging before sharing the chocolates.
-
Relying only on an online product description
When you’re putting together a snack table to share, the information on the pack you’re actually serving is important, especially when it comes to ingredients, allergens and storage.
When your order arrives or when you’re in the shop, check the label, best-before date and storage instructions.
-
Assuming every Dutch breakfast cake is made with iodised baker’s salt
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre discusses bread as a source of iodine. This doesn’t tell you which salt has been used in a particular Dutch breakfast cake.
If the type of salt used matters to your choice, check the information on the specific pack.
Brands to compare
Peijnenburg
Peijnenburg is worth considering if you want to compare Dutch breakfast cake in different formats, including sliced cake and individually portioned packs.
- Albert Heijn lists plain and wholemeal varieties, among others; PLUS offers an individually portioned pack.
- For the individually portioned pack reviewed, PLUS lists rye and possible traces of nuts, milk and other gluten-containing cereals, among other ingredients. Check the allergens for each product.
AH
Albert Heijn’s own brand offers sliced Dutch breakfast cake, among other products, for anyone who wants to have slices ready to serve.
- According to Albert Heijn, the wholemeal variety reviewed contains 41% wholemeal rye flour.
- Albert Heijn also lists 34 g of added sugars per 100 g for that same product. Compare the full nutritional information rather than relying on the word ‘wholemeal’.
Koek & Bakker
This ALDI brand is worth considering if you want to compare different sliced Dutch breakfast cakes.
- ALDI lists a sliced wholemeal variety and a sliced Zero variety, both weighing 485 g.
- The name of a variety is no substitute for checking the ingredients, nutritional information and allergens on the pack you choose.
PLUS
The own-brand range includes Dutch breakfast cake in formats such as sliced cake and bars.
- PLUS lists plain, wholemeal and Zero as separate Dutch breakfast cake varieties.
- According to PLUS, the plain sliced variety reviewed contains 36 g of sugars per 100 g and may contain wheat, barley and oats. Check the label for each of the other varieties.
Merci
Merci is worth considering if you want to bring chocolates to give as a gift and share.
- The Gift Box described by Albert Heijn contains 32 individually wrapped bars in eight varieties.
- For this box, Albert Heijn lists milk, hazelnuts, almonds and soya, among other ingredients, and advises keeping it away from heat. Check the label on the box you buy.
Dutch breakfast cake and chocolate at Joybuy
This selection includes Dutch breakfast cake for a snack break and chocolate packs to share or give as a gift. Check each product’s portion sizes and packaging to see what will suit your gaming night.
Image unavailable
Snelle Jelle Breakfast Cake Less Sugar-Free, 250 g
For anyone who wants to have Dutch breakfast cake ready for a gaming session. Check the pack to see how many portions it contains, and compare sugars and fibre per 100 g and per bar. Don’t assume the nutritional value from the product name.
If allergens are relevant, read the latest information, including details of rye, gluten-containing cereals, nuts and milk.
Image unavailable
Tony's Chocolonely Chocolate Gift Pack, 288 g
A chocolate gift for anyone who wants to offer a choice of flavours during a gaming night. Check the pack to see how many pieces it contains and whether they’re individually wrapped if you want to portion them out in advance.
Before sharing, check the latest allergen information, including details of nuts, milk, soya and egg.
Image unavailable
Milka Chocolate Assortment Party Pack, 143 g
A chocolate assortment to share with others. Before planning how to serve it, compare the number of pieces and whether they’re individually wrapped with the size of your group.
Check the latest label if milk, nuts, gluten-containing cereals or soya are relevant to anyone there.
Image unavailable
g'woon Breakfast Cake, 6 pieces
A pack of six Dutch breakfast cakes for anyone who wants to portion out snacks in advance. Check whether the pieces are individually wrapped if that matters when serving, and compare the nutritional information per 100 g and per piece.
Before sharing, read the latest allergen information, especially if wheat, barley, oats, milk or nuts are relevant to anyone in your group.
Frequently asked questions
Should I check the allergens in both snacks for a gaming night?
Yes. Check the packaging of both the Dutch breakfast cake and the chocolate before serving anything. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says allergen information must appear on the label of prepacked foods; check for any warnings about possible traces too.
Is a box of chocolates easier to share than Dutch breakfast cake?
It depends on the packaging. Albert Heijn describes a Merci Gift Box with 32 individually wrapped bars; you can also portion out sliced Dutch breakfast cake or bars in advance. Compare the number of pieces, portion size and allergens when choosing.
Does the name Dutch breakfast cake tell you enough about its nutritional value?
No. Compare the nutritional information for the product you choose. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre lists 11.2 g of sugars in an average 30 g slice of Dutch breakfast cake, but portion size and ingredients can vary between products. So check sugars and fibre per 100 g and per portion.
Is iodised baker’s salt a reason to choose Dutch breakfast cake?
Not as a general rule for Dutch breakfast cake. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre discusses bread as a source of iodine, but that doesn’t tell you which salt is used in a particular product. Check the pack if the type of salt used matters to your choice.
How should I store the snacks until gaming night?
Follow the storage instructions and best-before date on the pack you buy. For the Dutch breakfast cake variety reviewed, PLUS recommends a cool, dry and dark place; Albert Heijn advises keeping the Merci Gift Box away from heat.