For sharing and packing lunchboxes
Individually wrapped portions are easy to pack or hand out without having to slice them on the spot. For example, Jumbo lists a Peijnenburg 10-pack with 28 g portions.
Which size is right for you?
For Christmas bakers using larger quantities
If you’re using Dutch spiced cake in slices, cubes or crumbs for a Christmas dish, a larger loaf is an option. Jumbo lists both sliced and unsliced sizes.
For checking ingredients and allergens
If you have specific dietary requirements, size isn’t the only thing that matters. Compare the nutritional information and check the ingredients and allergen details for the product you choose.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether you want individual portions to pack or a loaf to use in a dish. Then choose between pre-sliced pieces and slicing it yourself, and check the product details on the label.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Individual portions | Check the number of individually wrapped portions and the weight of each one. | If I want to hand out Dutch spiced cake or pack it in a lunchbox, I don’t want to have to slice it each time. Around 34% of consumers say they prefer individual portions. |
| Quantity and shape | Compare the total weight and choose sliced or unsliced depending on what your dish needs. | For a Christmas dish, I want enough cake and the freedom to choose whether to use slices, cubes or crumbs. Around 33% of consumers prioritise how easy it is to use in a recipe. |
| Nutritional information | Compare sugars, fibre and salt per 100 g and, where provided, per portion. | When choosing between products, I want to know what’s in a portion before the pack size becomes the deciding factor. For around 20% of consumers, this comparison is the main priority. |
| Allergens | Check the ingredients, allergen details and any gluten-free statement on the exact product packaging. | If I’m buying for someone with an allergy or who needs to follow a gluten-free diet, I need to be able to check the cake I’ve chosen on the label. For around 13% of consumers, this check comes before pack size. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming ‘no added sugars’ means ‘sugar-free’
Peijnenburg’s plain version with no added sugars still contains 4.9 g of sugars per 100 g.
Check the nutritional information per 100 g and per portion for the product you choose.
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Overlooking other allergens when a product is labelled gluten-free
Jumbo Lekker Vrij Dutch spiced cake, which is labelled gluten-free, also lists lupin and milk as allergens.
If you have an allergy, check the full ingredients and allergen details on the exact product packaging.
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Assuming all Dutch spiced cake is made with iodine-fortified baker’s salt
The product name ‘Dutch spiced cake’ doesn’t tell you which type of salt has been used in a particular product.
If iodine is important to your choice, check the ingredients list or ask the manufacturer.
Brands compared
Peijnenburg
Jumbo and PLUS list Peijnenburg Dutch spiced cake in larger loaves and individually wrapped portions.
- A 10-pack gives you ready-portioned pieces, while larger loaves are suited to using in a dish.
- Ingredients and allergens can vary between products. The plain portion pack at PLUS lists rye flour.
Jumbo
The Jumbo range includes plain Dutch spiced cake as a 475 g sliced loaf, a 550 g unsliced loaf and a multipack.
- You can choose between a pre-sliced loaf and one you can slice yourself.
- Check the ingredients and weight on the packaging you choose.
Jumbo Lekker Vrij
This range includes a 300 g unsliced Dutch spiced cake labelled gluten-free, according to Jumbo.
- The gluten-free label is useful if you need to avoid gluten.
- According to Jumbo’s product listing, this cake contains lupin and milk and may contain other allergens.
Snelle Jelle
PLUS lists Snelle Jelle spiced cake in 5- and 9-packs, among other formats.
- These multipacks are worth considering if you want to share out individual portions.
- Compare the ingredients and nutritional information for the exact product; the pack name alone doesn’t tell you enough.
Bolletje
Jumbo lists a 500 g sliced Bolletje Dutch spiced cake.
- This size is worth considering if you’re looking for a larger, pre-sliced loaf.
- Check the label on the packaging you choose for ingredients and nutritional information.
Dutch spiced cake at Joybuy
These products show two ways to enjoy Dutch spiced cake: a portion-sized pack to take with you or share, and a larger sliced loaf for serving or using in a Christmas dish.
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Snelle Jelle Dutch spiced cake, Less Sugar-Free variant, 250 g
An option if you want to take Dutch spiced cake with you in portions or share it out. The pack contains 250 g in total. Don’t assume how much sugar the cake contains from the variant name alone; check the nutritional information on the pack.
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g'woon sliced Dutch spiced cake, 485 g
An option if you want to serve slices or need Dutch spiced cake for a Christmas dish. This loaf is pre-sliced and weighs 485 g. An unsliced loaf gives you more freedom to cut thicker pieces to your liking.
Frequently asked questions
How should I store Dutch spiced cake if I don’t finish a larger loaf straight away?
Seal the opened loaf carefully and follow the instructions on the packaging. The Voedingscentrum recommends keeping opened Dutch spiced cake in a kitchen cupboard for more than two months or in the freezer for three months. Check the cake for signs of spoilage before eating it, too.
Can I choose ordinary Dutch spiced cake if someone needs to eat gluten-free?
Don’t choose based on the product category alone. Check that the exact product is explicitly labelled gluten-free. The Peijnenburg plain portion pack at PLUS lists rye flour. Even with a gluten-free product, check for other allergens: Jumbo lists lupin and milk in its Lekker Vrij Dutch spiced cake.
Does Dutch spiced cake in the Netherlands always contain iodine-fortified baker’s salt?
You can’t tell from the name ‘Dutch spiced cake’. Check the ingredients on the specific product’s packaging, or ask the manufacturer if the label doesn’t answer your question.
What should I check if I’m sharing Dutch spiced cake with others?
Check the current ingredients and allergen details on the packaging you choose, especially if someone has an allergy. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains that allergens must be listed on the labels of prepacked foods. So don’t rely on the brand name or pack size alone.