Choose a mixed chocolate box with individually wrapped pieces if you want guests to help themselves during Easter lunch. If you’re mainly looking for a thoughtful gift for your host, a box of chocolates or pralines is a better fit; Dutch breakfast cake is a separate option if you want to serve slices of cake. If anyone has a food allergy, always check the ingredients and allergens on the exact packaging.
If you want guests to choose their own flavours, individually wrapped pieces are handy. The merci assortment box described by Jumbo is one example. Just check that the ingredients are suitable for everyone at the table.
A box of chocolates or pralines makes a suitable gift for your host. Albert Heijn lists chocolates and pralines as separate product categories, so compare the contents, types of chocolate and packaging within that category.
If someone has a known food allergy, checking the exact box matters more than the flavour or presentation. Read the ingredients, clearly stated allergens and any ‘may contain’ warnings on each pack and, in an assortment, for each type of chocolate.
First decide whether you want chocolate to share, a gift to give or Dutch breakfast cake. Then check the packaging and ingredients within that product category.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who is this important to? |
|---|---|---|
| Allergens | Read the ingredients and allergens on the exact packaging, including any ‘may contain’ warnings. | If a guest has a food allergy, I want to know whether the box I’ve chosen is suitable for them before serving it. Around 31% of consumers say this is their top priority. |
| Sharing and flavours | Compare the number of pieces, whether they’re individually wrapped and the types of chocolate. | When several guests will be helping themselves, I want to offer a choice without having to portion out the chocolate. This ease of sharing is the main priority for around 25% of consumers. |
| Gift presentation | Look at the type of chocolate, the filling, the quantity and the shape of the box. | If I’m bringing something for my host, I’d rather choose a box that feels like a thoughtful gift than a large sharing pack. This is the main consideration for around 25% of consumers. |
| Chocolate or Dutch breakfast cake | Choose the product category before comparing ingredients, nutritional value or portions. | If I want to serve sliced cake at lunch, a box of chocolates won’t give me the same product; the reverse is true if I’m looking for a chocolate gift. Around 19% of consumers put this choice first. |
Different flavours and fillings can contain different ingredients. Even an individually wrapped chocolate needs to be suitable for the person eating it.
Before serving, check the latest allergen information on the box and for the relevant flavours. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains how allergens are listed on food labels.
A photo won’t necessarily show the ingredients on the packaging you’re buying. This information is especially important for chocolates with different fillings.
Use the product page to compare options, then check the nutritional information and ingredients on the actual packaging when you buy it.
Shops aren’t necessarily open on Sundays. According to the Government of the Netherlands, Sunday opening varies by local authority; you’ll also need to check the opening hours of the specific branch.
Check the information from your local shop in advance, or buy the box earlier.
If your chosen shop is closed, you may have to make an extra journey.
Dutch breakfast cake is sliced cake, so it doesn’t serve the same purpose as a box of chocolates or an assortment to share.
Decide whether you’re looking for cake to serve at lunch, chocolate for the table or a gift. Then compare products within the category you’ve chosen.
Mixed chocolate boxes for sharing or giving as a gift. An assortment box of 250 g described by Jumbo contains 20 individually wrapped pieces and eight chocolate specialities.
Chocolates for anyone looking to bring a box as a gift or choose a smaller chocolate assortment. The 200 g Lindor box described by Albert Heijn combines different types of chocolate with a filling.
A brand to consider if you’re specifically looking to serve Dutch breakfast cake. Peijnenburg describes its plain sliced breakfast cake as a pack of 18 slices.
These products are chocolate boxes, chocolate gifts and chocolates for sharing or giving around Easter lunch. If you’re looking for Dutch breakfast cake, compare breakfast cake products separately.
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A chocolate box to consider if you want guests to choose from a range of flavours at Easter lunch.
Contents: 400 g. Before sharing, check the number of pieces and, if anyone has an allergy, the ingredients on the latest packaging.
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A chocolate gift for anyone who wants to offer a choice of flavours or share the contents.
Contents: 288 g. If you want to serve individual portions, check how the chocolate is packaged; if anyone has an allergy, read the label.
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A chocolate assortment for anyone who wants to put a box on the table to share.
Contents: 385 g. Check the number of pieces if you want to plan portions for your guests, and check the allergens on the packaging.
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A praline option for anyone who wants to serve chocolates with or after Easter lunch.
Contents: 173 g. Check the packaging to see which varieties are included and, if anyone has an allergy, check the ingredients of the pralines.
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A box of chocolate truffles to consider if you’re looking to bring a chocolate gift.
Contents: 200 g. Check the number of truffles if you plan to share them and, if anyone has an allergy, read the latest ingredient information.
Yes, if anyone eating them has a food allergy. Check the ingredients and allergens on the exact packaging, especially for an assortment with different fillings. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains how allergens are shown on labels.
Only if a shop near you is open. According to the Government of the Netherlands, Sunday opening varies by local authority; you should also check the opening hours of the specific branch.
Follow the storage instructions on the packaging and keep the chocolate away from heat and direct sunlight. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends keeping opened dark chocolate in a kitchen cupboard; a white bloom may be fat that has come to the surface.
You can’t assume that all Dutch breakfast cake does. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre describes the use of iodised baker’s salt in bread, but that doesn’t tell you which salt is used in a particular breakfast cake. Check the ingredients of the product you want to buy.
