Hosts who want guests to add their own toppings
If you’re putting rusks and sweet toppings on the table, decide whether individual portions with a variety of sprinkles or one pack for everyone to share would suit you better.
Who is each option for?
Guests bringing a chocolate gift
A box of chocolates is a thoughtful gift for your host. Don’t rely on it as a substitute for the rusks and chocolate sprinkles you want to serve at brunch.
Brunch shoppers who need to check labels
If you’re buying for someone who needs to avoid certain allergens, check the ingredients and warnings on both the rusks and the topping or box of chocolates. When comparing sweet toppings, also look at the nutritional information per portion.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether you need something for the table, a gift or both. Then choose the pack size and check the labels of the products you’re actually buying.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who should pay particular attention? |
|---|---|---|
| Portions and serving | Compare the number of individual portions with the pack weight, and check how to store the rusks once opened. According to Albert Heijn, De Ruijter Kleintjes contains eight portions. | If guests are choosing their own toppings, I want to have enough suitable portions ready without leaving the rusks open for too long. For around 46% of consumers, ease of serving is the top priority. |
| Gift or topping | Choose a box of chocolates as a separate gift; buy rusks and toppings separately if you also want something to serve at the table. | Anyone wanting to give their host something is looking for a gift, not just a bread topping. A suitable host gift is the main concern for roughly 27% of consumers. |
| Label and nutritional information | Read the ingredients, allergens and any warnings on the current packaging. Compare sugars and saturated fat on a like-for-like basis, such as per 100 g or per portion. | If I’m buying for guests with an allergy or want to keep track of how much sweet topping I’m serving, I need to know what’s in these exact products. For around 27% of consumers, checking the label is a priority. |
Common mistakes
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Thinking of a box of chocolates as a substitute for a brunch topping
A box to give as a gift serves a different purpose from chocolate sprinkles on rusks. A gift alone won’t give you a sweet topping to serve your guests.
Decide in advance whether you want to serve something, give something or do both. Buy separate products for each purpose.
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Assuming dark chocolate means allergen-free
The flavour name doesn’t tell you which allergens a product contains. For example, the De Ruijter Royaal extra dark chocolate sprinkles listed by Albert Heijn include milk and soya.
Before buying and serving, read the ingredients, allergens and any warnings on the current packaging of the variety you’ve chosen.
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Assuming every brunch product contains iodine from baker’s salt
According to the Voedingscentrum, bread does not have to be made with baker’s salt. This also means you can’t assume an iodine content for the rusks or chocolate you choose.
If baker’s salt matters to your choice, check the label on bread or ask your baker. For other products, rely only on their own product information.
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Leaving the rusks open well before serving
Moisture can make rusks lose their crispness before guests have a chance to add their toppings.
Keep them sealed until shortly before serving. Albert Heijn advises storing its plain rusks in a cool, dry place and putting them in an airtight tin once opened.
Brands and shops to explore
These examples can help you compare product types. Always check the variety you’re buying and its current packaging.
De Ruijter
Worth considering if you’re choosing between individual portions and a pack of chocolate sprinkles to share.
- According to Albert Heijn, De Ruijter Kleintjes contains eight portions with a variety of sprinkles.
- Don’t rely on the flavour name to tell you about allergens in a dark or extra dark variety; check the packaging of the one you’ve chosen.
Venz
An option if you want to serve chocolate sprinkles, perhaps alongside vanilla-flavoured sprinkles.
- The Venz pack with chocolate and vanilla flavour weighs 400 g.
- The product information for this variety lists milk, soya and wheat as allergens; check the current packaging too.
Albert Heijn
A shop where you can compare different types of rusks and pack sizes of toppings.
- The range includes, among other options, plain and wholemeal rusks.
- Albert Heijn notes that product information can change; check the physical packaging for ingredients and allergens.
Jumbo
A place to browse chocolate sprinkles for the table and separate chocolate gifts as different purchases.
- Jumbo lists both chocolate sprinkles and a separate category for chocolate gifts.
- Check which product you need: a gift box is not the same as a topping you can sprinkle.
Lidl
Worth a look if you want to browse dark chocolate sprinkles and separate Easter chocolates.
- Lidl lists Mister CHOC dark chocolate sprinkles in a 600 g pack.
- The Favorina Easter chocolates mentioned are part of a limited-time range, so check what’s available when you shop.
ALDI
A shop to explore larger packs of chocolate sprinkles if one flavour is enough for your table.
- ALDI lists Kiekeboe dark chocolate sprinkles in a 600 g pack and De Ruijter milk or dark chocolate sprinkles in a 390 g pack.
- Check current availability before relying on a specific pack being in stock.
Chocolate sprinkles and toppings for the brunch table
These products are intended as toppings for a brunch where guests can choose for themselves. Buy rusks separately if you want to serve rusks with chocolate sprinkles; choose a separate box of chocolates as a gift for your host.
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Venz chocolate and vanilla-flavoured sprinkles 400 g
For anyone wanting to offer two types of sprinkles for guests to add themselves. The pack contains 400 g. The product information lists milk, soya and wheat as allergens; check the current packaging before serving this to guests.
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De Ruijter dark chocolate sprinkles 390 g
For a brunch table where guests can sprinkle dark chocolate over their own rusks. This pack contains 390 g; check the label for allergens in this variety.
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Venz milk chocolate sprinkles 400 g
For anyone who wants to serve one milk chocolate flavour as a topping. The pack contains 400 g; if you have allergies, read the ingredients and warnings on the current packaging.
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g'woon dark chocolate sprinkles 400 g
For anyone wanting to serve dark chocolate sprinkles as the only topping for rusks. This pack contains 400 g; check the ingredients and allergens on the packaging you’ve chosen rather than relying on the word ‘dark’ alone.
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De Ruijter Flake Feast 200 g
For anyone wanting to serve chocolate flakes as an alternative to regular sprinkles at the brunch table. The pack contains 200 g; this is a topping and does not include rusks. Check the current packaging for ingredients and allergens.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to choose between chocolate sprinkles and a box of chocolates for Easter brunch?
No. If you want to serve something and bring a gift, you can choose both separately. Rusks with chocolate sprinkles are for eating at brunch; a box of chocolates is a gift for your host.
How can I keep rusks crisp until serving?
Store rusks in a dry place and keep them sealed until shortly before brunch. For its plain rusks, Albert Heijn recommends storing them in a cool, dry place and putting them in an airtight tin once opened.
Are dark chocolate sprinkles automatically free from milk or soya?
No, the word ‘dark’ doesn’t tell you that. The De Ruijter Royaal extra dark chocolate sprinkles listed by Albert Heijn include milk and soya, so check the current ingredients and allergen information for every variety you choose.
How can I keep track of how much chocolate sprinkles I serve as a sweet part of brunch?
Check the nutritional information and the portion you plan to serve. The Voedingscentrum describes chocolate sprinkles as a topping high in sugar and saturated fat; the nutritional values per 100 g aren’t the same as the amount in a portion on one rusk.
Is bread in the Netherlands always made with iodised baker’s salt?
No. According to the Voedingscentrum, baker’s salt does not have to be used in bread. For packaged bread, check the label; for unwrapped bread, ask which salt was used. Don’t assume rusks or chocolate contain iodine unless you have information about that specific product.