For anyone putting together a snack at home
You want to top Dutch rusks yourself and decide how much chocolate sprinkles to use. Choose your rusks and topping separately, and check the ingredients and nutritional information for both products.
Who is each option for?
For anyone looking for a small chocolate gift
You want something to share or give as a thank-you. Check that the packaging and contents are suitable for the occasion; don’t assume the pieces are individually wrapped without checking.
For anyone comparing ingredients carefully
You want to check sugars, ingredients or allergens before choosing a snack for yourself or someone else. Compare the exact product variants: information on the front doesn’t replace the full nutritional information and allergen list.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether you’d rather make up your own portion or share or give chocolate as a gift. Then check the packaging of the product you’re actually choosing.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who should prioritise this? |
|---|---|---|
| Making your own portion | Choose the rusks and chocolate sprinkles separately; consider how much topping you want to use on each rusk. | I want to top my own rusks and decide how many chocolate sprinkles to add, even though I still have to make the snack. Around 40% of consumers prioritise having control over their portion. |
| Sharing or giving as a gift | Check the contents and presentation of the box; see whether the pieces are individually wrapped if that matters to you. | For a thank-you or a snack to share, I want to offer a choice of chocolates. Around 30% of consumers place the most importance on sharing and presentation. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Compare sugars per 100 g and check the ingredients, allergens and any ‘may contain’ statement. | When choosing something sweet for others, I want to know which ingredients and allergens are listed on the exact product packaging. This is a priority for around 30% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Reading ‘less sugar’ as ‘low in sugar’
Albert Heijn compares its AH Hagelslag puur minder suiker with AH Chocolade hagel puur. That comparison alone doesn’t tell you anything about a box of chocolates or how much you sprinkle on your rusks.
Check the sugars per 100 g on the current packaging and take into account the portion you eat.
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Looking only at the front of an assortment box
A box containing assorted chocolates may include several allergens. For the Merci Gift Box, Albert Heijn lists milk, hazelnuts, almonds and soya, among other ingredients, as well as a ‘may contain’ statement for peanuts and eggs.
Read the full allergen information for the exact box before sharing it or giving it as a gift.
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Assuming all Dutch rusks contain the same type of salt
You can’t tell from the product name ‘Dutch rusk’ which type of salt has been used in a particular variant.
If iodised salt matters to you, check the ingredients list for those rusks or ask the manufacturer.
Chocolate sprinkle brands to consider
De Ruijter
De Ruijter offers chocolate sprinkles and flakes for a snack you can make yourself with bread or Dutch rusks.
- According to Albert Heijn, De Ruijter Kleintjes contains eight small portions of assorted chocolate sprinkles and flakes.
- Ingredients vary between the different products in the pack. Check the allergens for the portion you choose.
Venz
Venz offers milk, dark and white chocolate sprinkles and flakes, among other options, for anyone who mainly wants to choose between flavours and shapes.
- The range listed by Jumbo also includes XXL and Rimboe varieties.
- Ingredients and allergens vary by product. One milk-and-vanilla variant checked lists milk, soya and wheat; read the label on your pack.
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn has its own range of chocolate sprinkles, including AH Hagelslag puur minder suiker.
- According to Albert Heijn, this variant contains 30% less sugar than AH Chocolade hagel puur. The comparison applies to those two products, not to boxes of chocolates in general.
- Check the current nutritional information and allergens on the packaging; a comparative claim about sugar doesn’t tell you about the full ingredients.
Products for both snack occasions
This selection includes boxes of chocolates for gifting or sharing, as well as chocolate sprinkles and flakes for a snack you can make yourself. Chocolate flakes are a different type of product from chocolate sprinkles. First decide how you want to use them, then compare the exact products.
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Tony's Chocolonely Chocolate Gift Pack, 288 g
A chocolate gift for saying thank you or sharing. The pack weighs 288 g; check the contents and whether the pieces are individually wrapped if you want to offer individual portions.
If you’re sharing, check the current ingredients and allergen information on the packaging.
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g'woon milk chocolate sprinkles with smileys, 600 g
For a snack where you choose and top your own Dutch rusks. The pack contains 600 g of chocolate sprinkles; the rusks are sold separately.
Check the ingredients and allergens on the pack you choose before making your snack.
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De Ruijter dark chocolate sprinkles, 390 g
Dark chocolate sprinkles for a snack you can make yourself with Dutch rusks. The pack contains 390 g of topping; choose your rusks separately and decide how much to use.
Compare the current nutritional information per 100 g and check the allergens on the packaging.
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Milka Chocolate Assortment Party Pack, 143 g
An assortment of 143 g of chocolates to consider for a snack to share. Check the contents and packaging if you’re looking for individual portions or a particular gift presentation.
Check the current ingredients and allergens before sharing.
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Sprinkles Choca Flakes, 200 g
Chocolate flakes, 200 g, for anyone who wants a sweet topping rather than a box of chocolates. These are flakes, not chocolate sprinkles, so check that the texture works for your Dutch rusks.
Check the nutritional information and allergens on the current packaging.
Frequently asked questions
Is a box of chocolates a better afternoon snack than Dutch rusks with chocolate sprinkles?
Not for every occasion: a box of chocolates is suited to sharing or giving as a gift, while Dutch rusks and chocolate sprinkles let you choose the base and how much topping to use. For either option, compare the portion, ingredients and nutritional information on the packaging.
What should I look out for in the allergen information for chocolate sprinkles?
Read the allergen information for the exact product you’re buying. The examples checked list milk, lactose and soya, among other ingredients; wheat is also listed for one Venz milk-and-vanilla variant.
Does ‘less sugar’ on chocolate sprinkles mean I’ll eat less sugar per portion?
That also depends on how much you use. Albert Heijn compares its AH Hagelslag puur minder suiker with AH Chocolade hagel puur. Also check the nutritional information per 100 g and consider how much you sprinkle on yourself.
How should I store chocolate sprinkles or chocolate?
Follow the storage instructions on the packaging you choose. For the chocolate sprinkles checked, Albert Heijn advises storing them in a cool, dark and dry place.
Can I assume Dutch rusks contain iodised baker’s salt?
Don’t assume they do: check the ingredients list for the specific product or ask the manufacturer. The name ‘Dutch rusk’ doesn’t tell you which type of salt has been used.