If you want to serve coffee with verifiably Fairtrade cocoa, you can pair plain Dutch egg cakes with individually packaged chocolate that clearly displays its Fairtrade claim. A chocolate-filled egg cake is quicker to serve, but cocoa or chocolate filling alone does not prove Fairtrade status. Whichever option you choose, check the allergen information for your guests too.
You want to be able to show your guests which product carries the Fairtrade claim. Serving Dutch egg cakes with separately served chocolate labelled Fairtrade makes it clear that the claim applies to the chocolate, not automatically to the cake.
You’re looking for something sweet that you can serve with minimal preparation. A ready-to-eat or individually wrapped egg cake could be a good choice, as long as you check any Fairtrade claim and the allergen information separately.
You’re serving guests for whom ingredients matter. Check the current packaging for both the egg cakes and any chocolate, and keep it available so guests can read the information for themselves.
Choose this: if you want to show the Fairtrade claim on the chocolate separately, without implying that it applies to the egg cake.
The trade-off: you’re buying and serving two products instead of one ready-to-eat cake.
Choose this: if you mainly want a filled cake that’s ready to serve.
The trade-off: a chocolate filling doesn’t prove that the cocoa is Fairtrade. The current packaging must carry an appropriate claim.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who does this matter to? |
|---|---|---|
| Fairtrade cocoa | Look for the FAIRTRADE mark and the accompanying claim on the packaging. For composite products, check which ingredient the claim applies to. | I want to be able to identify which cocoa is certified, without calling the whole treat Fairtrade. Around 50% of consumers prioritise being able to verify their choice of cocoa. |
| Ease of serving | Compare the portions and packaging; choose between a plain egg cake and a filled or crisp variety. | When guests arrive, I want to be able to serve the cakes straight away without setting out chocolate separately. For around 30% of consumers, convenience matters most. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the current allergen information on each pack, including any chocolate served separately. | I want to know in advance what I’m offering my guests, so they can check the ingredients for themselves. For around 20% of consumers, this is their top priority. |
A cocoa filling tells you what’s inside the egg cake, but not whether the cocoa is covered by a Fairtrade claim.
Before presenting the cake as Fairtrade, check the FAIRTRADE mark and the accompanying claim on the current packaging.
A plain, crisp or filled egg cake may contain ingredients that matter to a guest. A previous purchase won’t tell you what’s on the current packaging either.
Read the allergen information before serving, and leave the packaging available for guests who want to check it themselves.
When you serve chocolate separately with Dutch egg cakes, each product has its own ingredients and any certification claim. A claim on the chocolate doesn’t automatically apply to the cakes.
Be specific about what you’re serving, for example, Dutch egg cakes with Fairtrade chocolate on the side.
These brands offer different options for Dutch egg cakes or chocolate to serve on the side. Check the packaging you choose before making a claim about the product.
Plain egg cakes and a separate chocolate-filled variety.
Plain and wholemeal egg cakes to pair with chocolate of your choice.
A crisp egg cake with a milk coating, for anyone who wants to serve a smaller cake with coffee.
Chocolate to serve with Dutch egg cakes, rather than an egg cake brand for this choice.
Barn-egg cakes as a base for a coffee table with chocolate chosen separately.
No. Cocoa as an ingredient or a chocolate filling doesn’t prove Fairtrade certification. Check the FAIRTRADE mark and the accompanying claim on the current packaging. According to Milieu Centraal, a logo with a white background may apply to one certified ingredient.
The mention of cocoa in the filling isn’t enough to make that claim. Before presenting these egg cakes as Fairtrade, check the current packaging for the FAIRTRADE mark and a claim that clearly states what is certified.
For egg cakes, always check the packaging information for egg, milk, cereals containing gluten and soya. Check any chocolate packaging too, and look for information about possible traces that may be relevant to your guests.
Follow the storage instructions on the packaging you choose. For the egg cakes reviewed, Albert Heijn and Jumbo recommend storing them in a cool, dry, dark place. Albert Heijn also advises sealing the pack securely after use.
