Commuter who wants to grab something and go
Wants to pop a portion in a bag or desk drawer without having to slice it. An individually wrapped portion is handy; with a pre-sliced pack, you’ll need to wrap the slice yourself.
Which format is handy for you?
Coffee drinker comparing nutritional information
Wants to compare sugar and fibre alongside portion size, sweeteners and allergens. A claim on the front of the pack is no substitute for the nutritional information and ingredients list.
Fan of distinctive flavours
For coffee, perhaps you’re looking for pearl sugar, ginger or a spiced breakfast cake. The ingredients and sugars per 100 g are still relevant to your choice.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether you need a ready-to-go portion. Then compare the nutritional information for the formats and flavours that work for you.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Nutritional information | Compare sugars and fibre per 100 g or for the same portion size; also read the ingredients and allergens. | If sugar and fibre determine my choice, I want to know what’s in one slice and whether it contains sweeteners. Around 36% of consumers prioritise this comparison. |
| Easy to take with you | Check whether the slices are pre-sliced and individually wrapped; these are two different things. | For coffee on the go, I want to be able to grab a portion without first opening a large pack. This convenience comes first for around 29% of consumers. |
| Flavour with coffee | Look for additions such as pearl sugar or ginger, and check the ingredients list. | I’d rather choose a distinctive spiced or sweeter flavour than a plain variety. For around 21% of consumers, flavour is the first thing they consider. |
| Pack size | Check the number of slices and the storage instructions once opened. | If I take Dutch spiced breakfast cake with me on several working days, I want to know whether a larger pack suits the way I use it. Pack size is a priority for around 14% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming ‘luxury’ means better nutritional value
The name mainly tells you about the product’s positioning or flavour. Albert Heijn lists 40 g of sugars per 100 g for AH Pearl Sugar Dutch spiced breakfast cake, so a distinctive flavour is no reason to skip the nutritional information.
Choose the flavour you want first, then compare the nutritional information for the varieties you’re considering.
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Confusing ‘no added sugars’ with sugar-free
Peijnenburg still lists 1.4 g of sugars per 28 g portion for its wholemeal variety with no added sugars. The ingredients list also includes xylitol.
Read both the nutritional information and the ingredients, and check the label on the specific pack if you have allergies.
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Assuming pre-sliced means individually wrapped
A pre-sliced pack saves you the effort of cutting it, but you’ll still need to wrap a slice yourself to take it with you.
If you want to grab a portion and go, check whether each one has its own wrapper.
Individually wrapped portions also mean more packaging than slices from one large pack.
Brands to compare
Peijnenburg
Offers pre-sliced Dutch spiced breakfast cake and individually wrapped portions, so you can choose the format that suits you from its range.
- For its wholemeal variety with no added sugars, Peijnenburg lists 4.7 g of fibre and 1.4 g of sugars per 28 g portion.
- This variety contains xylitol and rye, and may contain nuts and milk; check the current label.
AH
Offers plain Dutch spiced breakfast cake and flavoured varieties for anyone looking for a particular pairing with coffee.
- AH Pearl Sugar Dutch spiced breakfast cake lists 12% pearl sugar.
- This pearl sugar variety lists 40 g of sugars per 100 g and contains rye and wheat gluten.
Jumbo
Offers both a large pack of sliced plain Dutch spiced breakfast cake and a pack of six with raisins.
- The different pack formats let you choose based on quantity and flavour.
- Compare the nutritional information for the variety you choose; it differs from product to product.
Koek & Bakker
At ALDI, it offers both pre-sliced wholemeal Dutch spiced breakfast cake and an unsliced ginger variety.
- The pre-sliced wholemeal variety comes in a 485 g pack.
- Check the pack for nutritional information and allergens for the variety you choose.
Bolletje
Presents its sliced plain Dutch spiced breakfast cake as a spiced option for anyone who puts flavour first.
- The product information lists cinnamon and cloves among the ingredients.
- The variety listed contains lupin, wheat and rye, among other ingredients, and may contain nuts.
Dutch spiced breakfast cake on Joybuy
These products come in different formats for coffee on the go: a breakfast cake bar, a pre-sliced wholemeal cake and a pack of six. Check how you can take a portion with you for each product.
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Snelle Jelle Breakfast Cake Less Sugar-Free 250 g
An option if you’d rather take a bar with you for coffee on the go. Check the sugars and fibre per portion on the label before comparing this Dutch spiced breakfast cake with a slice from another pack.
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g'woon wholemeal Dutch spiced breakfast cake, sliced, 485 g
A pre-sliced pack for anyone who wants to grab a slice at home to take with them. Check whether you’ll need to wrap the slice yourself. If you have allergies, read the current label: the available product information about rye and allergens is contradictory.
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g'woon Dutch spiced breakfast cake, 6 pieces
A pack of six for anyone planning several coffee breaks. Before buying, check whether the pieces are individually wrapped or pre-sliced if you want to take something with you without any preparation.
Frequently asked questions
Is Dutch spiced breakfast cake with no added sugars also sugar-free?
No: Peijnenburg lists 1.4 g of sugars per 28 g portion for its wholemeal Dutch spiced breakfast cake with no added sugars. Read the nutritional information and ingredients list for the variety you’re buying; it also contains xylitol.
What should I look for in the allergens in Dutch spiced breakfast cake?
Check the ingredients and allergens for the specific product, as these vary by variety. The product information discussed here lists rye, wheat and lupin, among other ingredients, while some varieties may also contain milk or nuts.
How should I store a pack that I’ll use over several working days?
Follow the storage instructions on the pack. PLUS says to store its sliced plain Dutch spiced breakfast cake in a cool, dry, dark place; Albert Heijn recommends keeping its pearl sugar variety in a sealed tin once opened.
Does Dutch spiced breakfast cake in the Netherlands have to contain iodine from baker’s salt?
No, don’t assume that every Dutch spiced breakfast cake contains iodine from baker’s salt. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, iodine compounds may be present in bakery products through the addition of baker’s salt containing no more than 65 mg of iodine per kg of salt. Check the label if the ingredients matter to you.