For a week’s supply of Dutch egg cakes, first choose the type and pack size you can use in time: plain egg cakes for several occasions, wholemeal if you want to compare nutritional values, or a flavoured variety for a treat. Check the number of cakes, nutritional information and allergens for each product. A box of chocolates as a gift is a different purchase and can’t be assessed using these criteria for egg cakes.
If you’re buying egg cakes for several people or days, check the number of cakes, the pack weight and the best-before date. Jumbo, for example, lists a pack of 10 cakes weighing 300 g, while Albert Heijn lists 12 portions weighing 360 g.
If fibre, sugar or portion size affects your choice, compare the nutritional information for the exact variety. Jumbo also lists wholemeal egg cakes; the portion values given by Voedingscentrum for plain and wholemeal egg cakes don’t necessarily apply to every brand.
If flavour or convenience is your priority, look for varieties with a flavoured coating or individual packaging. Albert Heijn says that Bolletje Brosse eierkoek melk is individually wrapped; with varieties like this, check the ingredients and allergens too.
When buying egg cakes for the week, first decide what you need them for; then compare the pack and label of your chosen variety. A box of chocolates as a gift serves a different purpose.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Week’s supply | Check the net weight, number of cakes and best-before date. | If I’m shopping for several days, I want to know whether the pack suits what we’ll actually eat. Around 37% of consumers choosing egg cakes for the week prioritise having enough in stock. |
| Nutritional information | Compare sugar and fibre per 100 g and per portion for the exact variety. | When weighing up a plain and a wholemeal egg cake, I want to see how the differences per portion affect my choice. Comparing nutritional values is a priority for around 27% of these consumers. |
| Flavour and portions | Check the variety, number of cakes and whether they’re individually wrapped. | For a treat or something to take with me, flavour and packaging matter more to me than a plain, standard variety. This is a priority for around 18% of these consumers. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the ingredients, allergens and any warnings about traces on the pack. | If I need to avoid certain ingredients, I need information about the exact pack I’m buying. For around 18% of these consumers, ingredients and allergens are the main factors in their choice. |
An egg cake with chocolate or a milk coating won’t necessarily have the same nutritional values or ingredients as a plain egg cake. For one specific chocolate variety, Jumbo listed 39,4 g of sugar and 7,2 g of saturated fat per 100 g; these values don’t apply to other varieties.
Compare the nutritional information for the products you’re considering, both per 100 g and per cake.
The number of cakes doesn’t tell you how much the pack weighs. Jumbo lists 10 cakes weighing 300 g for a plain variety; Albert Heijn lists 12 portions weighing 360 g.
As well as the number of cakes, check the net weight and choose an amount you can use in time.
A product you saw online before may no longer be available to order. Jumbo says that the chocolate egg cake variety it checked is no longer in its online range.
Check what’s currently available before choosing that flavour. Don’t assume a replacement product has the same ingredients.
Allergens vary between varieties. For Bolletje Brosse eierkoek melk, Albert Heijn lists wheat, egg, soya and milk, among other allergens. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that allergen information must appear on the label of prepacked products.
Read the allergen information on the pack you’re buying, including any warnings about traces.
Albert Heijn lists AH Eierkoeken in a 360 g pack containing 12 portions.
Jumbo’s egg cake range includes plain, wholemeal and mini varieties.
According to Albert Heijn, Bolletje Brosse eierkoek melk is individually wrapped.
ALDI lists Heerlijck Banket Scharreleierkoeken in a pack of 12 cakes weighing 360 g.
Lidl lists a pack of 12 egg cakes.
Compare them as separate products, rather than assuming they have the same ingredients or nutritional values. For one chocolate variety, Jumbo listed 39,4 g of sugar and 7,2 g of saturated fat per 100 g; always check the nutritional information for plain egg cakes and other flavoured varieties separately.
Compare the exact products per 100 g and per portion, as portion sizes can differ. Voedingscentrum gives 28,6 g of sugar and 1,2 g of fibre for an average extra-large plain egg cake weighing 75 g, and 10 g of sugar and 1,1 g of fibre for an average wholemeal egg cake weighing 30 g. These aren’t values for specific brands.
Read the allergen information on the pack of the variety you’ve chosen. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says this information must appear on the label of prepacked products; don’t rely only on the product name or a product page you viewed previously.
Follow the storage advice on the pack of the variety you’re buying. For AH Eierkoeken, Albert Heijn recommends storing them in a cool, dry place away from light and closing the pack securely after use; advice may differ for other varieties.
