Hosts looking for something to share
They’re looking for a small gift or treat for several guests. Individually wrapped chocolates and a range of flavours can be useful; Albert Heijn describes these features for the chocolate gifts reviewed.
Who should choose which option?
Cooks following a stew recipe
They need Dutch breakfast cake as an ingredient, not as a substitute for a chocolate gift. Albert Heijn lists dishes such as hachee and Limburg sour beef stew among the recipe ideas for Peijnenburg plain sliced ontbijtkoek.
Shoppers for whom allergens are a deciding factor
They need to be able to check the packaging of the product they choose before giving or serving it. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority states that pre-packed products must display allergen information on the label.
What should you look for when choosing?
Box of chocolates
Choose this when: you’re looking for a gift for your host or a treat to enjoy after the meal.
Bear in mind: ingredients and allergens can vary between chocolates in an assortment.
Dutch breakfast cake
Choose this when: the dish calls for Dutch breakfast cake as an ingredient, as some stew recipes do.
Bear in mind: Dutch breakfast cake doesn’t serve the same purpose as a gift box of chocolates.
| What to consider | What to look for | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| A gift to share | Check how many pieces there are and whether they’re individually wrapped. | I want to take something that guests can share without any preparation. For about 42% of consumers, a gift to share is the top priority. |
| Allergens | Check the allergen information and any cross-contamination warnings on the packaging. | If I don’t know what a guest can eat, I want to check before giving them anything. For about 33% of consumers, allergens are the most important consideration. |
| Recipe ingredient | Check whether the recipe calls for Dutch breakfast cake, and read the ingredients of the cake you choose. | My stew recipe calls for Dutch breakfast cake; a box of chocolates won’t help me cook it. For about 25% of consumers, using it in a recipe is the main consideration. |
Common mistakes
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Choosing a box of chocolates without checking for allergens
The assortments reviewed contain a range of ingredients and may include milk, nuts, soya, egg or gluten. You can’t assume that any one option will be safe for all your guests.
Ask in advance which allergens are relevant, and check the ingredients and any cross-contamination warnings on the packaging of the product you’re actually giving.
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Assuming Dutch breakfast cake always contains iodine from baker’s salt
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt. So you can’t assume that all Dutch breakfast cake contains iodine.
Choose Dutch breakfast cake for the purpose specified in the recipe, and check the label if baker’s salt is relevant to your choice.
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Relying solely on an online product description
Ingredients and allergen information can change. This is particularly important if a guest needs to avoid a specific ingredient.
Before serving or giving the product, check the current packaging of the one you’ve chosen.
Brands to consider
Peijnenburg
Worth considering if you’re looking for Dutch breakfast cake for a recipe or to enjoy on its own, rather than as an equivalent alternative to a chocolate gift.
- Albert Heijn describes the plain version reviewed as a 345 g sliced Dutch breakfast cake, and suggests using it in hachee and Limburg sour beef stew.
- This version contains rye and gluten; check the current packaging before using it.
Merci
Worth considering if you’re looking for a chocolate gift with a variety of milk and dark chocolates.
- The Merci Gift Box described by Albert Heijn contains 32 individually wrapped chocolates in eight varieties.
- The box reviewed contains milk, hazelnut, almond and soya, among other ingredients, and may contain peanuts and egg. Check the packaging with the recipient in mind.
Tony's Chocolonely
Worth considering if you’re looking for a smaller gift box with individually wrapped chocolates in a range of flavours.
- According to Albert Heijn, the Tiny’s gift box reviewed contains 22 individually wrapped chocolates in ten flavours.
- Ingredients and allergens vary by flavour, so check the packaging of all the varieties you plan to share.
Ferrero
Worth considering if you want to share pralines rather than individually wrapped chocolates.
- The Ferrero Collection described by Albert Heijn contains 15 pralines in three varieties: Rocher, Raffaello and Rondnoir.
- The packaging reviewed lists almond, hazelnut, milk, soya, wheat and gluten, among other ingredients. Check that these are suitable for your guests.
Related Joybuy products
Related products coming soon.
Frequently asked questions
Should I take a box of chocolates or Dutch breakfast cake to a Sunday roast?
Take a box of chocolates if you’re looking for a gift for your host or something to share after the meal; choose Dutch breakfast cake if the dish calls for it. Albert Heijn suggests using Peijnenburg Dutch breakfast cake in hachee and Limburg sour beef stew, while the chocolate boxes reviewed can be given as gifts or treats.
Where can I check the allergens in a box of chocolates?
Check the label on the packaging you buy, including any cross-contamination warnings. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority states that pre-packed products must display allergen information on the label; ingredients can vary between chocolates in an assortment.
Does Dutch breakfast cake always contain iodine from baker’s salt?
No, you can’t assume that all Dutch breakfast cake does. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt; check the label of the specific cake if this matters to your choice.
How should I store a box of chocolates until dinner?
Follow the storage advice on the packaging you’ve chosen. For the Merci Gift Box reviewed, Albert Heijn recommends protecting it from heat; the advice may be different for another box.