Organisers of a shared festival table
If the gingerbread is part of the display, pieces of ginger or pearl sugar could be a reason to choose a flavoured variety. An uncut loaf does, however, need space and time for slicing.
Which option is right for you?
Organisers handing out portions
If visitors will take a portion with them, individually wrapped slices save you having to cut them while handing them out. Check how many portions are in the pack and how much each one weighs.
Shoppers who check nutritional information
If you want to compare wholegrain ingredients, fibre, sugars or sweeteners, the nutritional information per 100 g and per portion is more useful than the ‘premium’ label. If you have allergies, always check the packaging of the specific variety.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether the gingerbread will be sliced at the table or handed out in individual portions. Then compare the flavour and nutritional information of varieties suited to how you plan to serve it.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Flavour and presentation | Check whether the loaf is uncut and what flavouring is listed on the packaging. | I want to slice the gingerbread myself and display it on the table; around 31% of consumers prioritise flavour and presentation. |
| Handing out and taking away | Check how many individually wrapped portions are included and how much each one weighs. | Visitors will take their gingerbread with them, so I don’t want to have to slice it while handing it out. Around 31% of consumers prioritise portion convenience. |
| Nutritional information | Compare fibre and sugars on the same basis, for example per 100 g, and check which sweeteners or ingredients have been used. | If wholegrain ingredients or the amount of sugar determine my choice, I also want to know what’s in one portion; around 23% of consumers prioritise this nutritional profile. |
| Allergens and storage | Check the allergens, best-before date and any storage instructions on the packaging you buy. | When serving a group, I need to be able to check what’s in this particular variety. Allergens and the current label information are the main concern for around 15% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Taking ‘premium’ as a nutritional claim
Ginger, pearl sugar and eye-catching packaging can suit a festive table, but they don’t tell you anything about fibre, sugars or allergens.
First choose based on how you’ll serve it — for display or to hand out — then compare the nutritional information of varieties that suit your needs.
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Assuming ‘no added sugars’ means ‘sugar-free’
Jumbo also lists sugars and sweeteners for its Sliced Dutch Gingerbread 475 g. This product also carries a warning that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.
As well as checking the claim on the front, read the nutritional information, ingredients and warnings for the variety you choose.
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Relying on an old online label for the whole group
Ingredients and allergens vary between products and can change. Albert Heijn also notes that product information may change.
Check the packaging of the gingerbread you’re actually serving, and keep it available for visitors who want to check the ingredients.
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Assuming all Dutch gingerbread contains iodine
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bakers are not required to use bakers’ salt. So you can’t assume that a product contains iodised bakers’ salt just because it’s Dutch gingerbread.
If iodised salt is relevant to your choice, check the ingredients list of the gingerbread you choose.
Brands and product ranges compared
Peijnenburg
The range includes plain Dutch gingerbread, individually portioned packs and wholegrain varieties.
- According to Peijnenburg, the plain 10-pack contains ten individually wrapped slices of 28 g.
- The plain 10-pack contains rye and may contain milk, hazelnuts, almonds and other gluten-containing cereals; check allergens for each variety.
Koek & Bakker
ALDI Netherlands lists uncut Dutch gingerbread with pieces of ginger and a pearl sugar variety, both weighing 465 g.
- The uncut loaf lets you decide how to serve it on a shared table.
- For individual portions, you’ll need to slice the loaf on the spot; check the ingredients and allergens on the current packaging.
Jumbo
The nutritional information for Jumbo Sliced Dutch Gingerbread 475 g gives you specific values to compare with other products.
- Jumbo lists 17.4 g of fibre and 5.8 g of sugars per 100 g for this product.
- This variety contains sweeteners, gluten, rye and wheat, may contain barley and oats, and carries a warning that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn’s online category overview includes both AH Dutch gingerbread and Peijnenburg varieties.
- You can browse different brands and varieties side by side.
- Albert Heijn notes that ingredients, nutritional values and allergen information may change; check the packaging you buy.
Dutch gingerbread for different occasions
The rankings show a thematic order for presentation, handing out and nutritional information, based on the product features listed. They are not the result of a combined product test or an overall ranking across all three occasions.
| Rank | Dutch gingerbread | Features | Why it’s included | Retailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Koek & Bakker ginger Dutch gingerbread 465 g | Uncut; listed by ALDI Netherlands as containing pieces of ginger. | Presentation: a ginger flavour for a shared table where you’ll slice it yourself. | ALDI |
| 2 | Koek & Bakker pearl sugar Dutch gingerbread 465 g | Uncut; listed by ALDI Netherlands as containing pearl sugar. | Presentation: an alternative if a visible pearl sugar topping suits the table better than ginger. | ALDI |
| 1 | Peijnenburg plain 10-pack, individually wrapped | Ten individually wrapped slices of 28 g according to Peijnenburg. | Handing out: the stated number of portions makes it easier to plan for a group. | Peijnenburg |
| 2 | Peijnenburg pearl sugar 4-pack, individually wrapped | Four individually wrapped slices of 36 g according to Joybuy. | Handing out: individual portions with pearl sugar for anyone who’d like an extra flavour twist. | Joybuy |
| 1 | Peijnenburg wholegrain with no added sugars, 12 slices | Sliced; described by Peijnenburg as 100% wholegrain and with no added sugars. | Nutritional information: worth considering if you want to assess the ingredients and the no-added-sugars claim for this variety in particular. | Peijnenburg |
| 2 | Jumbo Sliced Dutch Gingerbread 475 g, Zero% Added Sugar | According to Jumbo, 17.4 g of fibre and 5.8 g of sugars per 100 g; contains sweeteners. | Nutritional information: specific values to compare per 100 g, with a warning that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect. | Jumbo |
Dutch gingerbread in individual portions on Joybuy
These Snelle Jelle varieties are suited to handing out Dutch gingerbread in bar form. If you’d rather serve one uncut loaf on the table, choose a different pack format.
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Snelle Jelle Dutch gingerbread with raisins 325 g
A raisin variety to consider if you want to hand out Dutch gingerbread bars rather than slice a loaf at the table.
Pack weight: 325 g. Check the packaging for the number of portions and the current ingredients and allergens before serving the bars to a group.
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Snelle Jelle plain Dutch gingerbread 325 g
A plain variety for anyone who wants to hand out Dutch gingerbread bars without choosing a raisin flavour.
Pack weight: 325 g. If you’re choosing based on sugars, fibre or allergens, read the nutritional information and ingredients on the current packaging.
Frequently asked questions
Should I choose an uncut loaf or individual portions?
Choose an uncut loaf of Dutch gingerbread if you want to slice it yourself on a shared festival table; choose individually wrapped portions if visitors will take theirs with them. For portion packs, check the number of pieces and the weight of each one.
Is Dutch gingerbread with no added sugars also sugar-free?
No, those claims don’t mean the same thing. Jumbo lists 5.8 g of sugars per 100 g for its Sliced Dutch Gingerbread 475 g; check both the claim on the packaging and the nutritional table for the variety you choose.
What should I check before serving Dutch gingerbread to a group?
Read the ingredients and allergens on the packaging you’re actually using, and check the best-before date and any storage instructions. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority highlights the importance of clear information on pre-packed food labels; keep the packaging so visitors can check it for themselves.
Does Dutch gingerbread always contain iodised bakers’ salt?
No, don’t assume that it does. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says bakers are not required to use bakers’ salt; check the ingredients list of the Dutch gingerbread you choose if iodised salt is relevant to you.