Parents who want to decorate together
Individual rusks give children something they can top themselves; chocolate sprinkles can also be used to decorate bakes. Decide in advance whether the shape and size will suit what you want to make.
Who is this combination useful for?
Families comparing rusk options
If you’re also looking at fibre, you can compare plain rusks with wholemeal rusks. Bolletje Vezelrijk boeren beschuit volkoren, as listed by Albert Heijn, contains 10 g of fibre per 100 g. Check the ingredients and allergens too.
Shoppers who need to check allergens
Rusks and chocolate sprinkles have their own ingredients. So check both packages, even if you’ve already looked at the product information online.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether you need rusks or medium-sliced bread. Then choose the base and topping separately: shape, ingredients and allergens may matter more than flavour alone for your baking session.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Topping and decorating yourself | Check the shape and size of the base, and whether the topping is recommended for the bake you have planned. | If children are sprinkling and topping things themselves, I want individual pieces that suit our activity. For around 40% of consumers, decorating things themselves comes first. |
| Allergens and ingredients | Read the allergen declaration and any ‘may contain’ statements on both packages. | If an ingredient needs to be avoided, I want to check the rusks as well as the chocolate sprinkles. For around 30% of consumers, checking allergens is the top priority. |
| Fibre in the base | Compare the ingredients and fibre per 100 g of rusks; check the topping separately. | If we also eat the rusks regularly for breakfast or as a snack, I look at the ingredients in the base. For around 20% of consumers, fibre is the most important factor. |
| Cocoa flavour | Compare cocoa solids and sugars per 100 g within the same type of topping. | When decorating, I want to choose a chocolate flavour that suits our tastes. Around 10% of consumers give flavour choice the highest priority. |
Common mistakes
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Confusing rusks with medium-sliced bread
Rusks are individual, crisp pieces; ‘medium sliced’ doesn’t necessarily mean the same thing. The difference affects what children can top or decorate.
First decide whether you need round rusks or sliced bread, then look for a particular brand or flavour.
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Checking allergens in the chocolate sprinkles only
The base may also contain relevant ingredients. The rusk products described by Albert Heijn, for example, list wheat and egg, or various grains and sesame.
Read the ingredients and allergen information for both the base and the topping on the current packaging.
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Forgetting the topping when comparing the base
Rusks with more fibre don’t change the ingredients in the chocolate sprinkles. So don’t assess the two products as if they were a single nutritional value.
Compare the nutritional information for the rusks first, then decide which topping and portion you want to use.
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Assuming the product contains iodised baker’s salt based on its name
The word ‘rusk’ doesn’t tell you which salt was used in a particular product.
Check the ingredients or ask the manufacturer which salt was used if this is relevant to your choice.
Brands to consider
De Ruijter
A chocolate sprinkles brand to compare if you’re topping rusks or decorating bakes.
- The milk chocolate sprinkles described by Albert Heijn state that they contain at least 20% cocoa solids; the intense dark variant tested contains at least 52%.
- Both variants tested list milk and soya. Check the rest of the allergen information on each package too; these details don’t apply to the full range.
Albert Heijn
A point of reference for plain rusks if you’re looking for a base for chocolate sprinkles.
- AH Beschuit naturel contains 4.2 g of fibre per 100 g, according to Albert Heijn’s product information.
- The rusks tested contain wheat and egg, and may also contain milk and sesame, among other allergens. Albert Heijn recommends checking the packaging, as product information can change.
Bolletje
A point of reference if you want to compare wholemeal rusks as a base for chocolate sprinkles.
- Bolletje Vezelrijk boeren beschuit volkoren contains 10 g of fibre per 100 g, according to Albert Heijn’s product information.
- The product tested lists wheat, oats, barley and sesame, among other ingredients. Check the packaging before pairing it with a topping.
Chocolate toppings for rusks and bakes
These products are toppings for rusks or bakes, not a complete combination with rusks. So choose a base separately to suit what the children will be topping or decorating.
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De Ruijter Intense Pure Chocolate Sprinkles 200 g
A chocolate topping to consider for cupcakes as well as rusks. Milk and soya are listed; check the lactose information and the current packaging.
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De Ruijter Chocolate Chunks 390 g
A topping to consider if you also want to decorate cupcakes. Check the packaging for milk, soya and the statement that the product may contain traces of lactose.
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De Ruijter Hail Chocolate Pure 390 g
A chocolate topping for anyone who wants to top or decorate both bread products and cupcakes. Milk and soya are listed; check the statement about possible traces of lactose too.
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g'woon Pure Chocolate Sprinkles 400 g
A chocolate topping to compare for rusks or other bread you can add toppings to. Milk is listed, and the product may contain traces of wheat; read the current allergen declaration.
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De Ruijter Flake Feast 200 g
A flake topping to consider for rusks or cupcakes instead of ordinary chocolate sprinkles. Wheat gluten and soya are listed; the product may contain milk.
Frequently asked questions
Is ‘medium sliced’ a size of rusk?
Don’t use ‘medium sliced’ to choose rusks: check whether you mean individual rusks or medium-sliced bread. Then look at the shape and pack size to make sure the base is right for topping or decorating.
Which allergens should I check in rusks with chocolate sprinkles?
Check the packaging of both products. Depending on the variant, the examples described by Albert Heijn list wheat, egg, milk, soya, other grains or sesame, among other allergens. ‘May contain’ statements can also vary from product to product.
How should I store rusks after opening?
Store rusks in a cool, dry place in a sealed tin or closed pack, as indicated for the rusk products tested by Albert Heijn. Also follow the storage and use-by information on your own packaging.
What should I bear in mind when children help with decorating?
Wash your hands beforehand and use clean utensils. This follows the food hygiene advice from the Voedingscentrum; also check the ingredients in your chosen base and topping before you start.