People keeping an eye on sugar
You want a small sweet snack late in the evening and compare the sugar content of each slice. With no-added-sugar options, you’ll also want to check which sweeteners they contain.
Who are these options for?
People who prefer a set portion
A pre-sliced or individually wrapped piece makes it easier to decide how much to have in advance. Its nutritional values still depend on the product you choose and the weight of your portion.
People looking for a sourdough flavour
You’re specifically after the flavour you associate with sourdough and want to know whether sourdough starter was actually used in this Dutch spiced cake, rather than judging by its artisan look.
What should you look for when choosing?
First, decide what matters most for your late-night snack: sugar content, a measured portion, clear confirmation of sourdough or the ingredients. Then compare the nutritional information with the amount you actually plan to eat.
| What to consider | What to look for | Who is it important to? |
|---|---|---|
| Sugars | Compare ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g and per planned portion. For no-added-sugar options, check the ingredients list for sweeteners too. | If I want a sweet slice late at night, I want to know how much sugar it contains. For around 33% of consumers, less sugar per snack portion is the priority. |
| Portion size | Check the weight of a slice or piece, and whether the nutritional information is also given per portion. | A pre-measured piece suits me if I don’t want to decide how much to cut from an unsliced cake. Around 27% of consumers prefer a clearly defined portion. |
| Sourdough | Look for sourdough starter or sourdough in the information for the specific product, or ask the baker how it is made. | I’m looking for the flavour I expect from sourdough, but I want to base my choice on how this particular Dutch spiced cake is made. This is the top priority for around 20% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the current ingredients list and check both ‘contains’ and ‘may contain’ statements. | If certain grains or other ingredients matter to me, I want to be able to check the packaging before buying. This is the top priority for around 20% of consumers. |
Common pitfalls
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Assuming ‘zero’ means ‘sugar-free’
For the no-added-sugar options mentioned, Peijnenburg and PLUS both list 4.9 g of sugars per 100 g. So ‘no added sugars’ doesn’t mean the nutrition table will show zero sugars.
Compare ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g and for the portion you plan to have. Check which sweeteners have been used, too.
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Mistaking an artisan look for sourdough
Words such as ‘artisan’ and ‘rye’ don’t, by themselves, tell you whether sourdough starter was used. Information about sourdough bread doesn’t confirm how a specific Dutch spiced cake was made either.
Only choose it for this feature if the product information mentions sourdough starter or the baker confirms how it was made.
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Checking allergens only on the front of the pack
The Dutch spiced cakes mentioned include rye; other grains or ‘may contain’ statements may also be relevant for specific products.
Read the full allergen information on the packaging of the product you buy.
Brands to consider
Peijnenburg
Offers, among other options, pre-sliced Dutch spiced cake and a no-added-sugar variety.
- For its sliced Naturel no-added-sugar variety, Peijnenburg lists 4.9 g of sugars and 17 g of fibre per 100 g; each slice weighs 28 g.
- These values apply to that variety, not all of the brand’s Dutch spiced cakes. For products containing xylitol, check the warning about excessive consumption too.
Jumbo
Offers Naturel, reduced-sugar and wholegrain varieties, among others, so you can compare different types within its range.
- For Jumbo Ontbijtkoek Naturel 280 g, Jumbo provides nutritional information per 100 g.
- According to Jumbo, this Naturel variety contains 39.4 g of sugars and 4.0 g of fibre per 100 g. Don’t assume these values apply to the other varieties.
PLUS
Offers Sliced Individually Wrapped Ontbijtkoek Zero 485 g, with nutritional information for anyone comparing pre-sliced options.
- For this Zero variety, PLUS lists 4.9 g of sugars, 15.6 g of fibre and 0.57 g of salt per 100 g.
- The ingredients include rye flour and the sweetener E967; according to PLUS, the product may contain wheat, barley and oats. Check the current packaging.
Tastino
Lidl lists a 485 g Tastino Ontbijtkoek Zero as one of its in-store products.
- Before comparing this variety with other zero Dutch spiced cakes, check the nutritional information, ingredients and allergens on the packaging.
Dutch spiced cake on Joybuy
Related products will appear soon.
Frequently asked questions
Is Dutch spiced cake with no added sugars also sugar-free?
No. For the no-added-sugar varieties mentioned, Peijnenburg and PLUS each list 4.9 g of sugars per 100 g. Use the ‘of which sugars’ figure and the weight of your portion to compare products.
Can I have as much zero Dutch spiced cake as I like?
No. The ‘zero’ label doesn’t mean portion size no longer matters. Check the ingredients and any usage warnings: for a Peijnenburg variety with xylitol listed by Jumbo, there’s a warning that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.
Does ‘artisan’ mean Dutch spiced cake is made with sourdough?
No. An artisan presentation doesn’t confirm that sourdough starter was used. Look for an explicit mention on the Dutch spiced cake in question, or ask the baker how it was made.
Where can I check the allergens in Dutch spiced cake?
Check the ingredients list and any ‘may contain’ statements on the current packaging. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains that allergens must be clearly listed on the label; which ingredients and warnings matter to you will vary by product.