If you want to put something out quickly
You can serve sliced Dutch spiced cake straight away. Check the variety and the number of slices if you’re sharing it with friends.
Which option is right for you?
If you want both wholegrain and no added sugars
Check that both features are stated on the same pack. The sliced Peijnenburg variety we looked at lists both, but according to the product information it also contains xylitol.
If you need to consider your guests’ ingredients
If rye, other cereals containing gluten, milk, nuts or sweeteners matter to your guests, check the ingredients and any warnings on the pack you’re serving.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether both wholegrain and no added sugars matter to you. Then compare the nutritional information and ingredients of the varieties that meet your needs.
Wholegrain with no added sugars
A good fit if: you want sliced cake where the manufacturer states that it is both 100% wholegrain and has no added sugars.
Bear in mind: the Peijnenburg variety we looked at contains rye and xylitol, and may contain nuts and milk.
Ordinary wholegrain Dutch spiced cake
A good fit if: you mainly want a sliced wholegrain variety and don’t require it to have no added sugars.
Bear in mind: the Peijnenburg variety we looked at lists 39 g of sugars per 100 g. Wholegrain alone tells you nothing about the sugar content.
Plain with no added sugars
A good fit if: you want a plain variety with no added sugars and don’t need it to be wholegrain.
Bear in mind: the Peijnenburg variety we looked at contains xylitol and doesn’t carry the explicit 100% wholegrain statement found on the other option.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Easy to share | Check whether the cake is sliced and how many slices are in the pack. | If you want to put something on the table that guests can share without having to slice it, serving convenience matters. This would be the main need for around 43% of consumers. |
| Wholegrain, sugars and fibre | Read the ingredients and compare sugars and fibre per 100 g; check the portion size too. | If you want one cake that is both labelled wholegrain and has no added sugars, you’ll want to see both features on the same pack. This combination would also be a priority for around 43% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the current ingredients list, allergen information, possible traces and sweeteners on the pack. | If a guest needs to avoid certain ingredients, you’ll want to check the label before serving the cake. This would be the top priority for around 14% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming wholegrain means low in sugars too
According to Peijnenburg, the ordinary wholegrain variety we looked at contains 39 g of sugars and 5.1 g of fibre per 100 g. The nutritional information for the wholegrain variety with no added sugars lists 4.9 g of sugars and 17 g of fibre per 100 g. These figures apply to different varieties, not to all wholegrain Dutch spiced cake.
So compare both the ingredients and the sugars and fibre per 100 g on each pack.
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Overlooking sweeteners
The Peijnenburg varieties with no added sugars that we looked at contain xylitol. According to the product information, excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.
Read the ingredients list if sweeteners matter to your guests. Keep cake containing xylitol out of reach of pets.
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Not having the allergen information to hand
The varieties we looked at differ in their ingredients and warnings about possible traces. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, allergens must be listed on the label.
Keep the current pack by the coffee so guests can read the ingredients and any warnings for themselves.
Brands worth comparing
Peijnenburg
Among the Dutch spiced cake varieties we looked at, you can compare ordinary sliced wholegrain with sliced wholegrain and plain varieties with no added sugars.
- The nutritional information for the wholegrain variety with no added sugars we looked at lists 4.9 g of sugars and 17 g of fibre per 100 g, compared with 39 g of sugars and 5.1 g of fibre per 100 g for the ordinary wholegrain variety.
- These figures don’t apply to the whole brand. The variety with no added sugars we looked at contains xylitol and may contain nuts and milk, according to the product information.
Snelle Jelle
The Zero spiced cake we looked at is an alternative if you’d rather put out individually wrapped bars than slices of Dutch spiced cake on a plate.
- According to Albert Heijn’s product information, the pack we looked at contains four individually wrapped 42 g bars.
- This spiced cake contains xylitol. The product information warns that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect, and notes that it may contain milk, nuts and other cereals containing gluten.
G'woon
The ordinary Dutch spiced cake we looked at is a useful comparison if wholegrain or no added sugars isn’t a requirement.
- Joybuy’s product information lists 37.3 g of sugars and 3.1 g of fibre per 100 g for this Dutch spiced cake.
- The same product information notes that it may contain traces of wheat, barley, oats, milk, almonds and hazelnuts. Check the label if any of these ingredients matter to your guests.
Dutch spiced cake on Joybuy
Related products coming soon.
Frequently asked questions
Which Dutch spiced cake combines wholegrain with no added sugars?
According to the product information, the Peijnenburg Volkoren zonder toegevoegde suikers gesneden we looked at is labelled as having both features. The nutritional information lists 4.9 g of sugars and 17 g of fibre per 100 g. Check the ingredients too, as this variety contains rye and xylitol, and may contain nuts and milk.
Does Dutch spiced cake with no added sugars also mean sugar-free?
No, those statements don’t mean the same thing. According to the nutritional information, the Peijnenburg wholegrain variety with no added sugars we looked at still contains 4.9 g of sugars per 100 g, as well as xylitol.
What should I check if a guest has a food allergy?
Read the ingredients and allergen information on the pack you’re actually serving, including any warnings about possible traces. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, allergens must be listed on the label. Ask your guest to check the current information before you offer them the cake.
Can I assume Dutch spiced cake contains iodised baker’s salt?
You can’t tell from the product type alone. If the type of salt used matters to you, check the ingredients for the exact variety on the current pack or ask the manufacturer.