The sugar- and fibre-conscious snack buyer
You compare the sugar and fibre per slice. A wholemeal option with no added sugar may suit your preferences, provided you also consider the ingredients and any warning about sweeteners.
Who is this choice relevant to?
The practical shopper stocking up
You want to be able to grab a slice at home or at work without having to cut it. In that case, the number of slices, portion size and storage instructions after opening all matter.
The label-conscious shopper
You need to take rye, gluten or possible traces of other ingredients into account. So check the allergen information on the pack of the exact variant you choose.
What should you look for when choosing?
Start with the nutritional information per slice, then look at the number of portions and the ingredients. If you’re specifically looking for a medium-thick slice, check the portion size: ‘medium sliced’ doesn’t in itself indicate a fixed slice thickness.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Sugar and fibre | Compare sugar and fibre per 100 g and per slice; check the stated portion size and sweeteners. | For an afternoon snack, I want to know how much sugar and fibre one slice contains, as the options reviewed differ in this respect. For around 42% of consumers, this comparison comes first. |
| Convenience and portions | Check whether the cake is sliced, how many slices the pack contains and how to store it after opening. | If I want to grab a slice quickly at work, a pre-sliced pack and a practical number of portions are important. For around 33% of consumers, this convenience is the top priority. |
| Plain or with sweeteners | Read the ingredients for the variant you’ve chosen and compare the sugar per slice too. | If you prefer the standard plain option and would rather avoid sweeteners, give the ingredients more weight. For around 25% of consumers, this preference is decisive. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming ‘zero’ or ‘no added sugar’ means sugar-free
The options reviewed with no added sugar still contain sugar. Some also contain xylitol or maltitols; the product information carries a warning about a possible laxative effect if consumed in excess.
Compare the sugar per slice and read the ingredients and warnings for the variant you’ve chosen.
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Choosing plain Dutch spiced cake without checking the nutritional information
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre lists 11.2 g of sugar and 1.1 g of fibre for an average 30 g slice of Dutch spiced cake. The values for a specific product may differ.
Check the nutritional information per portion on the pack you’re buying, especially if you’re comparing different options.
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Inferring allergen information from the front of the pack
Information about rye, gluten and possible traces varies by option. The online allergen information for the g'woon Dutch spiced cake shown here is also contradictory.
If you have an allergy to consider, read the current label on the specific pack before buying it.
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Applying general acrylamide research to a single pack
In 2025, the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority investigated traditionally made Dutch spiced cake. Those findings do not provide a result for any specific pre-packed supermarket option.
Don’t use such research findings as a judgement on an individual brand or pack. If there’s a product recall, check the product and batch details listed.
Brands to consider
Peijnenburg
The products reviewed include a pack of plain sliced cake and a wholemeal sliced option with no added sugar.
- Albert Heijn lists 17 g of fibre and 4.9 g of sugar per 100 g for the wholemeal option reviewed; Jumbo lists 18 slices in the plain pack reviewed.
- The wholemeal option contains xylitol and carries a warning about a possible laxative effect if consumed in excess. The plain option reviewed contains 38 g of sugar per 100 g.
Albert Heijn
The own-brand products reviewed are a pack of plain sliced cake and a zero option, both weighing 485 g.
- Albert Heijn lists 16 portions of 30 g for the plain pack reviewed.
- According to Albert Heijn, the plain option contains 36 g of sugar per 100 g. The zero option reviewed contains xylitol and carries a warning about a possible laxative effect if consumed in excess.
Jumbo
The sliced zero option from Jumbo reviewed comes in a 475 g pack.
- Jumbo lists 17.4 g of fibre and 5.8 g of sugar per 100 g for this option.
- The option contains maltitols and carries a warning about a possible laxative effect if consumed in excess.
g'woon
A 485 g pack of sliced wholemeal Dutch spiced cake for anyone considering a wholemeal option as an afternoon snack.
- The Joybuy product information lists 5.9 g of fibre per 100 g.
- The same information lists 34 g of sugar per 100 g and contradicts itself about allergens. If you have an allergy to consider, check the label on the pack.
Sliced Dutch spiced cake on Joybuy
This product selection features sliced wholemeal Dutch spiced cake for an afternoon snack. Compare the stated sugar and fibre with your own preferences per slice.
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g'woon wholemeal Dutch spiced cake, sliced, 485 g
A sliced wholemeal option for anyone who wants to be able to grab a slice straight away for an afternoon snack.
The Joybuy product information lists 43% wholemeal rye among the ingredients, 5.9 g of fibre and 34 g of sugar per 100 g. If you want to compare portions, check the weight per slice on the pack.
The online ingredients list rye, but the allergen information on the same product page is contradictory. If you have an allergy to consider, check the label on the pack before buying.
Frequently asked questions
Is Dutch spiced cake with no added sugar also sugar-free?
No. For the Peijnenburg wholemeal option with no added sugar reviewed, Albert Heijn still lists 4.9 g of sugar per 100 g and 1.4 g per 28 g slice. Compare the nutritional information for the option you choose.
What should I check when choosing zero Dutch spiced cake for an afternoon snack?
Check the sugar and fibre per slice, the sweeteners and the warnings on the pack. The AH zero option reviewed contains xylitol, while the Jumbo zero option reviewed contains maltitols; both product pages warn of a possible laxative effect if consumed in excess.
How should I store an opened pack of sliced Dutch spiced cake?
Follow the storage instructions on the pack. For the products reviewed, storage in a cool, dark and dry place is recommended; for its plain option, Peijnenburg also recommends keeping it in a sealed container or tin after opening.
Can I rely on the brand name for allergen information?
No, check the label for the exact option. The Dutch spiced cakes reviewed list rye or cereals containing gluten, while warnings about possible traces vary by product.
Does Dutch spiced cake in the Netherlands always contain iodised baker’s salt?
No, don’t assume that. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre states that bakers are not required to use baker’s salt. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority describes baker’s salt as an approved way of adding iodine to bakery products; this says nothing about the amount of iodine in any specific pack of Dutch spiced cake.