Parents who want to decide on portions in advance
You want to give each child a small, familiar treat and decide how much chocolate sprinkles to use when preparing it. Individual portions or pre-topped pieces can help.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Parents who pay attention to the bread base
You’re considering sourdough instead of rusks and want to know which type of flour has been used. The word sourdough doesn’t tell you whether the bread is wholemeal.
Organisers buying for a group
Before handing out treats, you want to check which allergens are in the bread and chocolate sprinkles, and whether the school or after-school club has rules about treats.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether you want to serve rusks or pieces of sourdough bread with toppings. Then check the bread base you’ve chosen, the amount of chocolate sprinkles and what you’ll need to serve the group.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Amount of chocolate sprinkles | Compare the nutritional information per portion and decide how much each child will get before adding the topping. | If I want to prepare a measured treat for every child, I don’t want the amount of topping to creep up as I hand them out. Portion control is a priority for around 40% of consumers. |
| Choice of bread base | For sourdough, check the wholemeal label and the ingredients. Also see whether you can cut the bread into the pieces you want. | If you want to serve pieces of bread with toppings and are watching your fibre intake, the specific type of bread matters more than the word sourdough. The bread base is the most important factor for around 30% of consumers. |
| Serving the group | Check the allergens in both the bread and chocolate sprinkles, and ask about the school or after-school club’s policy on treats if needed. | If the group includes different allergies, ages or rules, I want to know in advance what I can serve. Suitability for the group is the main concern for around 30% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming sourdough is always wholemeal
Sourdough tells you how the bread is leavened, not which type of flour has been used. What the Netherlands Nutrition Centre says about the nutritional value of sourdough bread is not a product specification for every loaf.
Check the product description and ingredients, or ask the baker which type of bread they’ve used.
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Not treating chocolate sprinkles as part of the portion
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre places chocolate sprinkles outside its Wheel of Five guidelines and highlights the sugars and saturated fats in this topping.
Add the topping in advance or divide the chocolate sprinkles into small portions so you know how much you’re serving each child.
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Checking only the chocolate sprinkles for allergens
The bread base may also contain allergens. If you’re buying unpackaged bread, this information may not be available on packaging to take home.
Check both items separately, and ask the baker about the allergens in the exact bread you’re buying.
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Assuming every loaf contains iodine-enriched baker’s salt
The type of salt used can vary from one loaf to another. According to the Dutch baking industry, using iodine-enriched baker’s salt is not a legal requirement.
If the type of salt used matters to you, check the packaging or ask the baker.
Brands to consider
De Ruijter
According to Albert Heijn, De Ruijter Kleintjes contains eight individual portions of chocolate sprinkles and flakes. This can be handy if you want to portion out the topping for each child in advance.
- Individual portions make it easier to share out.
- Check the ingredients and allergens for each variety you choose; the mix includes varieties containing milk, soya or wheat starch.
Venz
Venz Rimboe Beer combines chocolate sprinkles with decorative shapes for a festive treat.
- The shapes give this variety a distinctive look.
- For this product, Jumbo says the shapes are less suitable for children under 3 because of their size.
Jumbo
Jumbo lists a 600 g pack of its milk chocolate sprinkles. You can use it to prepare portions yourself for a larger group.
- Jumbo’s product information lists the ingredients and nutritional values.
- A large pack doesn’t divide itself into portions, so decide how much you’ll use before adding the topping.
Kiekeboe (ALDI)
ALDI lists Kiekeboe dark chocolate sprinkles in a 600 g pack as an option if you want to portion out several servings yourself.
- The stated pack size can help you plan several pieces with toppings.
- Check the current ingredients and allergens for the pack you choose.
Joybuy products
Related products coming soon.
Frequently asked questions
Is sourdough bread always wholemeal?
No. Sourdough describes how the bread is leavened; it doesn’t confirm which type of flour has been used. Check the product description and ingredients, or ask the baker whether the bread you’ve chosen is wholemeal.
How can I tell whether the bread contains iodine-enriched baker’s salt?
Check the ingredients for the specific bread or ask the baker. According to the Dutch baking industry, using iodine-enriched baker’s salt is not a legal requirement, so don’t assume which type of salt has been used based on the type of bread alone.
How can I check the allergens in bread from a baker?
Before buying, ask about the allergens in the exact type of bread you want to serve. Also check the chocolate sprinkles’ packaging separately; information about one item tells you nothing about the other.
Can I serve rusks or bread with chocolate sprinkles at school?
That depends on the school or after-school club’s policy on treats or parties. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends checking in advance. Also agree on any changes needed for children with allergies or dietary requirements.