Who is this choice relevant to?

If Fairtrade cocoa matters to you

You want to see which product the Fairtrade mark applies to, and are considering certified chocolate separately if a plain egg cake contains no cocoa.

If you need to consider allergens

You’re handing out treats to people for whom ingredients matter. The egg cakes reviewed here list allergens including egg, milk, soya and cereals containing gluten.

If you’re buying for several occasions

You want to match the number of egg cakes to the occasions you’ll be handing them out, and check how opened packs should be stored in between.

What should you look for when choosing?

Decide whether the egg cake itself is the main attraction, or whether you’re primarily looking for a treat with clearly identifiable Fairtrade-certified chocolate. That choice determines which packaging and ingredients you’ll need to check side by side.

Plain egg cakes

Choose these if: you want to hand out egg cakes without any extra decoration.

Bear in mind: the AH and Jumbo versions reviewed here don’t contain cocoa in their listed ingredients, so they don’t support a Fairtrade chocolate claim.

Decorate the egg cakes yourself

Choose this if: you want to pair egg cakes with chocolate whose Fairtrade mark you can check for yourself. Jumbo suggests melted dark chocolate as a decoration for egg cakes.

Bear in mind: the mark on the chocolate you choose doesn’t automatically apply to the whole treat, and decorating takes time to prepare.

Chocolate as a separate treat

Choose this if: a verifiable Fairtrade mark on the chocolate matters more than handing out egg cakes.

Bear in mind: this isn’t an egg cake treat. Fairtrade Netherlands describes different ways the mark is used on products with multiple ingredients, so check the mark and accompanying text on the product you choose.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it’s for
Fairtrade mark Read the FAIRTRADE mark and accompanying text on the packaging of the chocolate you choose. Check the egg cake’s ingredients separately. I want to be able to point out which part of my treat is Fairtrade-certified chocolate. For around 33% of consumers, being able to verify the mark is the priority.
Allergens Read the current ingredients and allergen information for both the egg cake and any chocolate decoration. When I’m handing out treats to others, they need to suit their allergen requirements. This is the main concern for around 25% of consumers.
Portions and preparation Compare the number of items in each pack with the occasions you’ll be handing them out, and decide whether you have time to decorate the egg cakes. I want to have a portion ready for each Advent occasion without having to prepare everything again each time. Around 25% of consumers prioritise this.
Storage Read the storage information on the packaging. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends storing egg cakes in a cool, dry, dark place in a tightly sealed container. When I’m handing out treats on several occasions, I want to keep the remaining egg cakes in good condition. This matters most to around 17% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Calling a plain egg cake Fairtrade chocolate

    The ingredient lists shown for AH Eierkoeken and Jumbo Eierkoeken don’t include cocoa or chocolate. A mark on chocolate added separately doesn’t automatically tell you anything about the egg cake.

    Check the packaging of the specific chocolate or complete product variant. If you decorate the egg cakes yourself, make it clear that the Fairtrade mark applies to the chocolate you chose.

  • Only checking allergen information online

    The egg cakes reviewed here list several allergens. Any chocolate you add has its own ingredients and allergen information.

    Before handing out the treats, check the current labels of all the products you’re using and choose options that meet the recipients’ needs.

  • Planning too far ahead without considering storage

    If you’re handing out treats on several consecutive occasions, an opened pack may be left for longer than intended.

    Follow the storage information on the packaging and, as recommended by the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, store egg cakes in a cool, dry, dark place in a tightly sealed container.

Relevant brands to consider

These brands offer a starting point when choosing egg cakes; their inclusion here doesn’t mean the products mentioned are Fairtrade-certified.

Bolletje

Bolletje describes its Brosse Eierkoek as a light, more crisp-baked version.

  • A specific egg cake variety to compare with plain egg cakes.
  • Bolletje lists egg, cereals containing gluten, milk, wheat and soya for this variety. Check the packaging of the product you choose for any Fairtrade mark you’re looking for.

Albert Heijn

AH Eierkoeken are a plain egg cake variety, sold in a pack of 12 weighing 360 g.

  • The stated pack size can help you plan how many to hand out on each occasion.
  • The ingredient list shown doesn’t include cocoa. Albert Heijn’s general statement about cocoa certification in its own-brand products doesn’t prove that these egg cakes are Fairtrade-certified.

Jumbo

Jumbo sells egg cakes and suggests melted dark chocolate as a decoration in a separate recipe.

  • The recipe offers an option for decorating the egg cakes yourself.
  • The recipe doesn’t identify the chocolate as Fairtrade. Jumbo Eierkoeken list allergens including egg, gluten, milk, soya and wheat.

Heerlijck Banket

ALDI lists Heerlijck Banket free-range egg cakes in a pack of 12 weighing 360 g.

  • The number of items is stated, which can help you plan portions.
  • Check the current packaging before choosing based on allergens or certification.

Sondey

Lidl lists egg cakes in a pack of 12 weighing 360 g as an in-store product.

  • The pack size gives you a starting point for dividing them between occasions.
  • Check the ingredients, allergens and any certification marks on the current packaging in store.

Related products on Joybuy

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Are plain egg cakes automatically Fairtrade chocolate products?

No. The ingredient lists shown for the AH and Jumbo egg cakes reviewed here don’t include cocoa or chocolate. Check for a Fairtrade mark on the packaging of the specific chocolate product, or of a complete product variant you want to describe as Fairtrade.

How do I check the chocolate I use to decorate egg cakes?

Read the FAIRTRADE mark and accompanying text on the packaging of that specific chocolate. Fairtrade Netherlands also describes ways the mark is used on products with multiple ingredients. A general statement about a retailer’s range doesn’t replace the mark on the product you choose.

Which allergens should I look out for when handing out treats?

At the very least, check the labels on both the egg cakes and any chocolate. The AH and Jumbo egg cakes reviewed here list allergens including egg, milk, soya and cereals containing gluten. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority highlights the allergen information required on the labels of prepacked foods.

How should I store egg cakes between Advent occasions?

Store egg cakes in a cool, dry, dark place in a tightly sealed container, as recommended by the Netherlands Nutrition Centre. Also follow the storage information on the packaging of the variety you buy.

Can I rely on an online product page for allergen information?

Use the page to browse products in advance, but check the label on the pack you actually buy before handing out the treats. Check the packaging of any chocolate or other decoration you add, too.