Choose a portion of Dutch spiced cake if you want to pack a single snack that doesn’t need slicing; check the ingredients and the rules at the school or childcare setting first. A box of chocolates is better suited to a gift or sharing. If the spiced cake claims to have no added sugars, it’s also worth checking the sweeteners and nutritional information per portion.
An individually wrapped slice of Dutch spiced cake doesn’t need to be cut first. For example, Peijnenburg lists ten individually wrapped 28 g slices in its plain 10-pack. Check the label of the variety you’ve chosen before packing it.
If you’re keeping an eye on added sugars, you can also compare the sugars and fibre per portion, as well as the sweeteners used in Dutch spiced cake. The claim on the front of the pack doesn’t tell you everything about its ingredients.
For a thank-you gift or something to share, the size of the box, its contents and the allergens listed on the exact pack all matter. A box of chocolates serves a different purpose from an individual snack to put in a bag.
First, decide whether the product is for you to snack on, to pack for someone else or to give as a gift. Then compare the packaging and label of the exact variety.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Allergens and school rules | Read the ingredients and the ‘may contain’ information on the exact pack; check the rules at the school or childcare setting. | If I’m packing or handing out food, I want to know which ingredients may matter to the people receiving it. Around 33% of consumers put this check first. |
| Nutritional information | Compare sugars and fibre per equal-sized portion; for varieties with sweeteners, check the ingredients and warnings too. | For a regular snack, I want to see what a portion contains rather than relying on a claim alone. For around 27% of consumers, the ingredients are the top priority. |
| Portions for on the go | Check the weight per portion and whether the slices or bars are actually individually wrapped. | A snack that can go straight into a bag means less preparation for me after school. Convenient portions are the top priority for around 27% of consumers. |
| Gift or sharing occasion | Check the size of the box, its contents and the allergens listed on the chocolate packaging you’ve chosen. | For a thank-you gift, I’m looking for something to give or share, not a set snack portion. That’s the top priority for around 13% of consumers. |
The Peijnenburg variety listed by Jumbo contains rye; Jumbo Ontbijtkoek Gesneden lists rye and wheat. So the product category alone doesn’t tell you whether a variety is suitable for someone who needs to avoid gluten.
If you need a gluten-free option, choose a product explicitly labelled gluten-free. Check the current packaging and the rules at the school or childcare setting before packing it.
According to Jumbo, the Peijnenburg and Jumbo varieties reviewed contain naturally occurring sugars and sweeteners. Their product pages warn that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.
Compare the nutritional information per portion and check which sweeteners are used in the variety you’ve chosen.
The ingredients list for the merci Chocolade Assorti Doos shown by Jumbo includes milk, hazelnuts, almonds and soya, among other ingredients. Other boxes may have different ingredients.
For a gift or treat, check the ingredients on the exact box and ask about any rules on allergens before handing it out.
According to the Voedingscentrum, bakers’ salt is iodised, but bakers aren’t required to use it. So this doesn’t tell you anything about any particular Dutch spiced cake.
Check the packaging for information about a product’s ingredients rather than relying on the product category.
Peijnenburg offers plain Dutch spiced cake in portion packs, as well as a separate variety with no added sugars.
Jumbo offers sliced Dutch spiced cake as one of its own-brand products.
Albert Heijn’s category overview features several types of Dutch spiced cake, including a Peijnenburg variety specifically labelled gluten-free.
PLUS offers Dutch spiced cake bars in portion packs, both under its own brand and from other brands.
As well as regular Dutch spiced cake, Lidl offers a zero version.
These products include chocolate packs for a gift or sharing occasion, and Dutch spiced cake for a snack. If you’re packing a product for school or childcare, check the label and the rules on bringing in or handing out food too.
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A small box of chocolates to give as a gift or share.
Check the current packaging before handing these out: allergens listed for this product include milk, almond, hazelnut, soya, wheat and gluten; it may contain peanuts.
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An assortment of chocolates for a gift or sharing occasion, rather than a single snack portion.
Listed allergens include milk, peanuts, wheat, gluten, soya, barley and egg; check the ‘may contain’ information on the current packaging too.
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A chocolate gift for someone who wants to try different flavours or share the contents.
Allergens listed for this product include almond, egg, hazelnut, milk and soya. Check the current packaging for ingredients the product may contain too.
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Dutch spiced cake to take along as a snack; check the packaging if individual portions are important to you.
Listed allergens include rye and gluten; the product may contain nuts and milk. Check the label before comparing nutritional values per portion.
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Dutch spiced cake to consider as a snack; check the packaging to see how many pieces are included and whether they’re individually wrapped.
The product lists rye and may contain wheat, barley, oats, milk, almond and hazelnut, among other ingredients. Check the current allergen information before packing it.
Don’t assume it is: the regular varieties reviewed list rye and sometimes wheat. If you need a gluten-free snack, choose a product explicitly labelled gluten-free and check the current packaging.
Check the rules at the school or childcare setting before packing or handing anything out. Also check the exact packaging for the allergens and any ‘may contain’ information that applies.
No. According to Jumbo, the Peijnenburg and Jumbo varieties reviewed contain naturally occurring sugars and use xylitol and maltitols respectively. So compare the nutritional information per portion and read the ingredients list.
For the varieties reviewed, Jumbo states that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect. Read the warning on the pack you’ve chosen, especially if several portions may be eaten in one day.
It depends on the exact box. The merci Chocolade Assorti Doos shown by Jumbo lists milk, hazelnuts, almonds and soya, among other ingredients. For a different pack, check the full ingredients and allergen information again.
