Choose sprinkles for serving with Dutch rusks at Christmas dinner based on the flavour and presentation you want, how much you plan to serve and which ingredients matter to your guests. Individual portions let guests choose between different types of sprinkles, while a larger pack may be more suitable if you’ll use the same sprinkles again later. A stated cocoa percentage can help you compare chocolate varieties, but it won’t tell you which flavour your guests will prefer.
For a serving of Dutch rusks, a biscuit or a small dessert, choose sprinkles that suit the flavour and presentation you have in mind. Chocolate sprinkles, chocolate flakes and fruit sprinkles are different options. Remember to check the ingredients and allergens for your guests, too.
If guests can choose their own topping, individual portions with different types of sprinkles can be handy. De Ruijter Kleintjes is one example, with eight portions according to the product information from Albert Heijn.
If you’ll also use the sprinkles after Christmas dinner, compare the amount you need with the contents of a larger pack. Jumbo, ALDI and Lidl each list 600 g packs of dark chocolate sprinkles; check the ingredients and allergens for each product separately.
First, decide whether you want to serve chocolate sprinkles, another type of sprinkles or a choice of both. If you’re serving medium-sliced bread rather than Dutch rusks, check the bread’s slice thickness: it doesn’t describe the sprinkles.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Flavour and presentation | Check whether you’re buying chocolate sprinkles, chocolate flakes or fruit sprinkles. Only compare a stated minimum cocoa content between chocolate products that provide this information. | When I’m finishing off Dutch rusks or a small dessert, I mainly want a topping that suits the flavour and look I have in mind. Around 40% of consumers prioritise flavour and presentation. |
| Portions for guests | Check the number of portions, the amount per portion and which types of sprinkles are included in the pack. | My guests can choose their own topping without me having to open several large packs. Around 30% of consumers prioritise this convenience when serving. |
| Quantity and future use | Compare the net weight with what you need for your gathering and what you’d like to use afterwards. | I want enough sprinkles for several guests, and I can use a larger pack after dinner, too. Around 20% of consumers prioritise the quantity they need. |
| Ingredients and nutritional information | Read the label for the variety you’ve chosen to check its ingredients, allergens, sugars and nutritional value per 100 g or per portion. | I need to be able to check exactly what’s in the topping for my guests, especially if an allergen is a concern. For around 10% of consumers, this is their first priority. |
At Christmas dinner, sprinkles are better suited as a topping for Dutch rusks, a biscuit or a small dessert than as a dish in their own right.
Decide in advance what you’ll serve the sprinkles on and how much you’ll need. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre describes sprinkles as a sweet bread topping that falls outside the Dutch Wheel of Five.
Nutritional information per 100 g isn’t the same as information per portion. Portions of 15 g and 20 g also contain different amounts of sprinkles.
First compare the nutritional information on the same basis, then consider how much you’ll actually serve each guest.
The dark chocolate sprinkles from De Ruijter and Venz described by Albert Heijn list milk and soya. So the word ‘dark’ is no substitute for checking the allergen information for the specific product.
If a guest has a relevant allergy or intolerance, read the label on the exact pack when you buy it and before serving.
These brands offer different types and pack sizes to compare. The features mentioned apply to the products described, not to every product from each brand.
Worth considering if you’re choosing between a chocolate variety with a stated cocoa content and small portions containing different types of sprinkles.
The Venz variety described is dark chocolate sprinkles in a 400 g pack.
Jumbo’s dark chocolate sprinkles are available in the described 600 g and 380 g packs.
In the products described, this ALDI brand offers both dark chocolate sprinkles and fruit sprinkles.
A Lidl brand to consider if you’re looking for dark chocolate sprinkles in a larger pack.
Choose based on the type of chocolate sprinkles you want and how much you’ll serve, rather than relying on the word ‘dark’ alone. Albert Heijn states that De Ruijter Specials Intens Puur contains at least 52% cocoa solids and Venz Hagelslag puur at least 32%; Jumbo also states at least 32% for its described dark variety. These product specifications aren’t a taste test.
Individual portions are handy if guests can choose between different types of sprinkles and you want to put out small amounts. According to Albert Heijn, De Ruijter Kleintjes contains eight portions: four of 15 g and four of 20 g. Check which types of sprinkles and allergens are in the pack.
Read the allergen information on the exact pack you’re serving. The dark sprinkles from De Ruijter and Venz described here list milk and soya; additional information about ingredients such as lactose or milk protein varies by product.
No, that conclusion doesn’t follow from the information about baker’s salt. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority states that iodine compounds are found in bread, bread substitutes and other bakery products only through the addition of baker’s salt. This tells you nothing about the ingredients in an individual topping. If iodine is relevant to your choice, check the labels on the bread or Dutch rusks and the sprinkles separately.
Follow the storage instructions on the pack you’ve opened. The product information described for De Ruijter, Venz and Jumbo says to store in a cool, dry place. Check the best-before date on the pack itself.
