A Christmas guest bringing a gift
A chocolate gift box is a good choice if you’re looking for a ready-to-give present for your host. Check whether the contents are suitable for sharing with the other guests.
Which option is right for you?
A host planning a coffee break
Sliced Dutch breakfast cake is a convenient option if you want to serve slices with coffee or breakfast. Compare the serving size and nutritional information for the variety you choose.
A shopper with questions about ingredients or allergens
Don’t rely on the product name or gift packaging alone. Before buying, read the label on the exact breakfast cake or chocolate gift box, including any warnings about possible traces of allergens.
What should you look for?
First decide whether you’re looking for a gift or something to serve. Then compare the packaging, serving sizes and labels of the products you’re considering for the occasion.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who should consider this? |
|---|---|---|
| Gifting and sharing | Is it a gift box or an individual bar? Check the number of pieces and the flavours. | If you’re bringing something for your host, you’ll want to be able to give it without extra wrapping and perhaps share it too. This would be the main gifting priority for around 44% of consumers. |
| Serving with coffee or breakfast | Choose between sliced and unsliced Dutch breakfast cake; compare the weight per serving and the nutritional information. | If I want to serve slices with coffee, easy portioning matters more than gift packaging. Practical serving would be the main need for around 33% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Check the ingredients, allergens and any warnings about traces on the exact pack. | If a guest has a known allergy, I’ll want to know which variety is suitable before serving it. Checking ingredients and allergens would be the top priority for around 23% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming Dutch breakfast cake is low in sugar
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, a 30 g slice of Dutch breakfast cake contains 11.2 g of sugars. The amount may vary for a particular cake.
Compare the nutritional values per 100 g and per serving on the label of the variety you’re buying. Even if a variety is labelled ‘no added sugars’, check the full nutritional information.
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Judging a chocolate gift box by its appearance alone
Fillings and product varieties can contain different ingredients and allergens. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority notes that allergens must be clearly stated on the labels of prepacked foods.
Ask your guests about any known allergies and read the label on the exact box before buying or serving it.
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Relying on a particular festive variety being available
A Peijnenburg variety with chocolate, caramel and sea salt that was sold previously was listed by Jumbo as no longer available. So, seeing a product name on your shopping list doesn’t mean you’ll be able to buy that variety.
Check availability before you shop and decide which type of cake or chocolate gift box would make a suitable alternative.
Brands to consider
Peijnenburg
A Dutch breakfast cake brand. Jumbo lists several varieties, including plain, wholemeal and individually wrapped options.
- The different pack formats give you a choice between serving slices and offering individual portions.
- Check the ingredients of the variety you choose; the standard Dutch breakfast cake described by Albert Heijn contains rye.
Bolletje
Jumbo lists a 500 g pack of sliced Bolletje Dutch breakfast cake.
- Sliced cake is a convenient option if you want to serve slices with coffee.
- Check the label on the exact pack for ingredients, allergens and nutritional information.
Tony’s Chocolonely
Tony’s Chocolonely’s own online shop lists chocolate gift boxes and personalised bars among its gift options.
- A good option if you’re mainly looking for a ready-to-give chocolate present.
- Check the flavours, allergens and availability of the specific box.
Sliced Dutch breakfast cake on Joybuy
This product selection features sliced Dutch breakfast cake for a coffee or breakfast occasion around Christmas dinner. If you’re looking for a gift to take to the dinner, consider the contents and packaging of a chocolate gift box separately.
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g'woon sliced Dutch breakfast cake, 485 g
An option if you’d like to serve slices of Dutch breakfast cake with coffee or breakfast.
Weight: 485 g. Check the number of slices, ingredients and allergens on the pack you choose.
Frequently asked questions
What should I bring as a gift to Christmas dinner?
A chocolate gift box or another gift-wrapped treat makes a thoughtful present for your host. Dutch breakfast cake is better suited to serving with coffee or breakfast; if you choose a chocolate gift box, check that the contents will suit the recipient.
Should I check the allergens in a sealed chocolate gift box?
Yes, read the allergen information on the exact box before offering it to your guests. Fillings and flavours can vary, and the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that allergens must be listed on the labels of prepacked foods.
Does all Dutch breakfast cake contain iodine from baker’s salt?
You can’t tell from the type of product alone. Check the ingredients list on the Dutch breakfast cake you choose to see whether baker’s salt is listed.
Is dark chocolate automatically a better choice for your guests?
No, the word ‘dark’ doesn’t tell you whether a product suits your guests’ tastes or dietary requirements. Compare the serving sizes, ingredients and nutritional information for the specific chocolate you plan to serve.