If you want egg cakes with a distinct dark chocolate flavour for your Boxing Day buffet, choose plain egg cakes and top them yourself with chocolate that states its cocoa percentage on the packaging. Ready-made chocolate or filled egg cakes save you preparation time, but a ‘chocolate’ label alone doesn’t tell you how much cocoa the chocolate component contains. Before buying, also check availability and the allergens in both the egg cakes and the topping.
If you want the chocolate flavour to stand out, compare toppings that state their cocoa percentage rather than relying on the word ‘chocolate’ alone. Albert Heijn lists Delicata bars with 70%, 75% and 85% cocoa, among others; Verkade states that its Kookchocolade contains at least 71% cocoa.
Ready-made chocolate egg cakes save you the job of decorating. Check which varieties are available shortly before the buffet: Jumbo says that the chocolate egg cakes included in this research are no longer in its online range.
If you’re topping the egg cakes yourself, you’ll need to consider the ingredients in both the cakes and the chocolate. Read both labels and keep the information handy for guests who ask about allergens.
Choose this if: you want to compare the stated cocoa percentage of the topping.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to decorate the cakes and allow time for the melted chocolate to set.
Choose this if: serving straight away matters more than choosing the chocolate yourself.
Bear in mind: a ‘chocolate’ label doesn’t prove that the product has a high cocoa percentage. The Jumbo varieties included in this research are also no longer in its online range.
For this buffet, flavour, preparation and allergens are three different reasons to choose an egg cake or topping.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Dark chocolate flavour | Compare the stated cocoa percentage of the chocolate you’ll use as a topping; don’t infer it from the word ‘chocolate’. | I want to choose the chocolate flavour for my guests carefully, even if that means extra preparation. For around 50% of consumers, this would be the main consideration. |
| Buffet convenience | Check how many pieces are in each pack and, shortly before Boxing Day, whether your chosen variety is available. | If I want to serve something quickly to several guests, a ready-to-serve egg cake matters more to me. Around 30% of consumers would be looking mainly for that convenience. |
| Allergens | Read the labels on both the egg cakes and the topping, and look out for any stated traces. | I want to be able to tell guests which ingredients and allergens are in the finished egg cake. This would be the main consideration for around 20% of consumers. |
The Gulden Krakeling Choco filled egg cakes described by Albert Heijn contain cocoa confectionery and a cream filling. Albert Heijn states that the cocoa confectionery contains 1,55% low-fat cocoa powder; this percentage does not refer to the whole egg cake or to a bar of dark chocolate.
If you want to compare the cocoa content of the topping, choose chocolate that states its percentage.
Jumbo says that the chocolate egg cakes included in this research are no longer in its online range. Lidl’s listing for plain egg cakes referred to an in-store period in October 2026.
Check your shop’s range shortly before Boxing Day and consider whether plain egg cakes with separately bought chocolate would work as an alternative.
The topping can also introduce allergens. Verkade states that its Kookchocolade 71% contains soya and may contain traces of nuts, milk and gluten.
Read both packs when you buy them, keep the ingredient information for your guests and use separate serving utensils if needed.
A combination of plain egg cakes and separately chosen chocolate for anyone who wants to decorate them, plus a filled chocolate variety.
An option for decorating egg cakes yourself with melted dark chocolate, alongside ready-made chocolate egg cakes.
A chocolate option for anyone who wants to add their own topping to plain egg cakes.
An egg cake brand to consider if you’re looking for a crisp texture for your buffet.
An in-store option for finding plain egg cakes that you could decorate yourself.
An option for choosing free-range egg cakes and dark chocolate separately.
Not necessarily: the description alone doesn’t tell you the cocoa percentage in the chocolate. When choosing a topping, compare the percentage on the packaging rather than relying on the flavour name.
Check the labels on both products, including any statements about possible traces. According to Albert Heijn, the AH Eierkoeken described contain, among other things, egg, milk, cereals containing gluten and soya; Verkade states that Kookchocolade 71% contains soya and may contain traces of nuts, milk and gluten. If you’re using a different combination, check the packaging of the products you’re actually using.
Yes. Allow time for the melted chocolate to set and follow the storage advice on both packs. Albert Heijn advises storing its AH Eierkoeken in a cool, dry place and sealing the pack well after opening.
Keep the packaging for both the egg cakes and the chocolate so you can share the ingredients and allergens in the finished cake. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority points out that allergen information for pre-packed products is shown on the label, so check the packaging of the products you’re using for the buffet.
