Organisers who want to shop carefully
You want enough rusks and toppings for several guests, without buying packs that will barely be used.
Who is this choice for?
Hosts who want to offer a choice of flavours
You’d like to serve a simple option alongside, for example, milk or dark chocolate sprinkles, without opening a large pack of every flavour.
Organisers who need to consider allergens
You want to know which ingredients are in both the rusks and the toppings, so guests can check the exact packs.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide how many rusks you want to put out, then choose the type and pack size of the topping to match.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Quantity | Check how many rusks are in each pack and the weight of the topping. Choose both to suit how much you expect to use. | If I’m expecting several guests, I want to put out enough without having lots of unopened packs left over. For around 42% of consumers, getting the quantities right is the top priority. |
| Flavour | First choose between chocolate sprinkles, fruit sprinkles and chocolate flakes; then compare pack sizes. | I want to give my guests a choice, but an extra flavour should be used too. Around 25% of consumers put variety of flavour first. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the label on the exact rusks and topping you’re buying, including any warnings about possible traces of allergens. | If guests need to avoid certain ingredients, I want to be able to show them the packaging at the buffet. Checking this comes first for around 17% of consumers. |
| Shopping plans | Check your local store’s opening hours and buy the longer-life items in advance if that suits you better. | If I can only shop on Boxing Day, I need to know whether my store is open. For around 16% of consumers, availability over the bank holiday is the main consideration. |
Common mistakes
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Not matching pack size to the number of guests
A large pack of topping isn’t necessarily practical for a small buffet; you could have a lot left over afterwards.
First estimate how many rusks you want to serve, then choose an amount of topping to match.
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Treating fruit sprinkles, chocolate sprinkles and chocolate flakes as the same thing
These are different types of topping. An extra pack only adds worthwhile variety if the flavour suits what you want to serve.
Choose the types before deciding on pack sizes; a smaller second option may be enough to offer a little variety.
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Assuming you know the allergens from the brand name
Ingredients vary between products and varieties. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that allergens must be listed on food labels.
Check the exact packs of both the rusks and the topping before serving, and keep them handy for guests who want to read the label for themselves.
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Assuming a shop will be open on Boxing Day
According to the Dutch Government, local authorities can allow shops to open on public holidays. So you’ll need to check separately whether your local store is open.
If necessary, buy the rusks and chocolate sprinkles in advance. If you’re shopping on the bank holiday, check your store’s current opening hours.
Brands to consider
AH
Own-brand plain rusks that could make a good base for the buffet.
- Albert Heijn lists AH Beschuit naturel as a 125 g pack containing 13 portions.
- The product information lists egg and gluten-containing cereals; check the label for guests with relevant allergies.
Jumbo
Own-brand plain rusks, as well as a separate multigrain variety.
- Jumbo Beschuit Naturel is listed as a 125 g pack containing 13 rusks.
- For this plain variety, Jumbo lists wheat and egg and warns that other allergens may be present. Check the pack you choose.
Kiekeboe
ALDI own brand, with several types of sprinkles.
- ALDI lists Kiekeboe Vruchtenhagel in a 400 g pack and Hagelslag Puur in a 600 g pack.
- Fruit sprinkles aren’t the same as chocolate sprinkles; choose the type to suit the flavour you want.
Venz
A branded option if you want to serve milk or dark chocolate sprinkles.
- Jumbo lists Venz milk and dark chocolate sprinkles in 400 g packs.
- Check the ingredients and allergens for each flavour; the brand name doesn’t mean the ingredients are the same.
De Ruijter
A brand with several chocolate varieties, including a smaller pack of dark chocolate sprinkles.
- Albert Heijn lists De Ruijter Specials Intens Puur in a 200 g pack, with at least 52% cocoa solids.
- The product information for this variety lists milk and soya. Always check the exact pack for allergens.
Buffet toppings at Joybuy
These products are sweet toppings for the buffet. Choose your rusks separately, and match the quantity of sprinkles to the number of guests and the flavours you want to offer.
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Venz Milk Chocolate Sprinkles 400 g
A good choice if you want to serve milk chocolate sprinkles as a topping. The pack contains 400 g; check the label for ingredients and allergens.
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De Ruijter Chocolate Chunks 390 g
An option if you’d like to serve chocolate chunks alongside sprinkles. This pack contains 390 g; don’t treat the chunks as the same variety as De Ruijter Specials Intens Puur.
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De Ruijter Flake Feast 200 g
A smaller pack of chocolate flakes if you want to serve a different type of topping alongside sprinkles. Check the ingredients and allergens on the label for this variety.
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De Ruijter Hail Chocolate Pure 390 g
A dark chocolate option if you’d like to offer that flavour at the buffet. The pack contains 390 g; check the exact ingredients and allergens before serving.
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De Ruijter Intense Pure Chocolate Sprinkles 200 g
A 200 g pack if you want to serve a dark chocolate option alongside another topping. Check the ingredients and allergens on the pack you’re serving.
Frequently asked questions
How much chocolate sprinkles should I put out for a buffet?
First decide how many rusks you want to serve, and take the other buffet options into account. Then check the weight and serving information on the pack you’ve chosen; a serving for a slice of bread isn’t automatically the right amount for a rusk.
Which allergens should I check in Dutch rusks with chocolate sprinkles?
Check the exact packs of both products. Albert Heijn lists egg and gluten-containing cereals in AH Beschuit naturel; milk and soya are listed for De Ruijter Specials Intens Puur. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says allergens must be listed on the label. Also read any warnings about possible traces.
Can I still do my shopping on Boxing Day?
That depends on your local authority and the shop. The Dutch Government says local authorities can allow shops to open on public holidays. So check your store’s current opening hours before relying on being able to shop that day.