Who is this choice relevant to?

The Fairtrade-conscious Christmas baker

You want to check that the chocolate carries the Fairtrade mark, without assuming that the plain eierkoek is Fairtrade too.

The eierkoek decorator

You want to choose how to finish your eierkoeken for Christmas, whether with sprinkles or chocolate that you grate or melt first.

The allergen-conscious shopper

You consider the ingredients in both the eierkoek and the topping. The product examples mentioned include ingredients such as egg, cereals containing gluten, milk and soya, so these are worth checking.

What should you look for when choosing?

First decide whether you want to add the chocolate yourself or buy a finished eierkoek. Then check the certification and the labels on the products you’ll actually use.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Fairtrade and traceability Check the Fairtrade claim on the chocolate. If physical traceability is important to you, also read the information provided with the certification. I want to know which chocolate meets my Fairtrade requirements, even if the eierkoek itself is plain. For around 50% of consumers, checking certification and traceability comes first.
Finish and flavour Decide whether you want sprinkles or a bar that you’ll need to grate or melt, then choose the chocolate flavour you’re looking for. When decorating Christmas treats, I want to decide for myself how much effort the finishing takes and how the chocolate is added. For around 30% of consumers, this choice is the top priority.
Ingredients and allergens Read the latest labels for both the eierkoek and the chocolate, including any warnings about potential allergens. If I’m serving guests with food allergies, I want to be able to check both components before serving them. Around 20% of consumers put checking ingredients and allergens first.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming another cocoa certification means Fairtrade

    A cocoa certification does not automatically confirm a Fairtrade claim. For example, the previously listed Jumbo Eierkoeken met Chocolade carried a UTZ claim according to its product page.

    Check which certification is stated on the current packaging for the chocolate. If you choose the chocolate separately, you can assess that claim on its own.

  • Assuming Fairtrade means fully segregated cocoa

    Fairtrade allows mass balance for cocoa. This means the cocoa in an individual product does not have to be physically separated from non-Fairtrade cocoa.

    Read the additional information provided with the certification if the method of traceability is an important factor in your choice.

  • Checking only one pack for allergens

    This combination brings together the ingredients of two products. AH Eierkoeken list ingredients including egg, milk, cereals containing gluten and soya; Fairtrade Original Hagelslag Puur may contain milk.

    Before buying and serving, read the latest labels for both the eierkoek and the topping.

  • Treating an old product page as proof of current availability

    The page consulted for Jumbo Eierkoeken met Chocolade said that the product was no longer part of the online range. So it does not confirm that a Fairtrade option is currently available.

    For a ready-made option, check the current product packaging, ingredients and certification claim.

Relevant brands compared

Fairtrade Original

A good choice if you’re looking for a separate chocolate component to pair with a plain eierkoek.

  • Fairtrade Original states that its dark chocolate sprinkles contain at least 32% cocoa solids and are suitable as a topping.
  • The certification on the sprinkles does not mean that the eierkoek underneath also contains Fairtrade ingredients.

Verkade

A good choice if you want to grate or melt a chocolate bar yourself to finish your eierkoek.

  • Product information at Albert Heijn states that Verkade Extra Puur contains 71% cocoa. Verkade says the brand uses Fairtrade-certified cocoa in its chocolate bars.
  • This bar contains soya and may contain milk and hazelnuts. Unlike sprinkles, a bar needs to be prepared first.

Albert Heijn

A useful example of a plain eierkoek base that you can decorate yourself.

  • According to the product page, AH Eierkoeken contain 20% free-range egg and can also be used in sweet recipes.
  • Albert Heijn says that cocoa in its own-brand products is Rainforest Alliance or Fairtrade certified. That does not make the plain eierkoeken mentioned here a Fairtrade chocolate product.

Jumbo

A supermarket mentioned for both eierkoeken and separate Fairtrade Original chocolate products.

  • Jumbo’s Fairtrade overview listed Fairtrade Original Dark Chocolate Sprinkles and Cocoa Powder.
  • The page consulted for Jumbo Eierkoeken met Chocolade said that the product was no longer part of the online range and listed UTZ Certified Cocoa, not Fairtrade.

Chocolate ingredients at Joybuy

These chocolate ingredients are for anyone making their own Christmas treats with eierkoeken: a dark chocolate bar to prepare and cocoa powder for baking recipes. Before using the cocoa powder, check that the preparation method is suitable for what you want to make with your eierkoeken.

Tony's Chocolonely Pure 70% Dark Chocolate, 180 g

Tony's Chocolonely Pure 70% Dark Chocolate, 180 g

A dark chocolate bar for anyone who wants to choose how to finish their eierkoeken. The product name states 70% cocoa and a weight of 180 g. Check the cocoa percentage on the packaging if it affects your choice.

Also check the current Fairtrade claim and allergen information, including soya and warnings about the possible presence of egg, nuts, cereals containing gluten and milk.

View at Joybuy
Fairtrade cocoa powder, 125 g

Fairtrade cocoa powder, 125 g

125 g of cocoa powder for anyone looking for a baking ingredient rather than a bar or chocolate sprinkles. Check the Fairtrade claim on the current packaging and read the preparation instructions before using it with eierkoeken.

View at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Is an eierkoek with a cocoa certification automatically Fairtrade?

No. A different cocoa certification does not automatically mean there is a Fairtrade claim. Check the certification on the current packaging of the chocolate eierkoek. For example, the Jumbo option mentioned earlier listed UTZ Certified Cocoa, not Fairtrade.

Is Fairtrade cocoa always fully physically traceable?

No. According to its guidance, Fairtrade allows mass balance for cocoa. This means Fairtrade and non-Fairtrade volumes can be mixed during processing. Read the additional information provided with the certification if physical separation is a requirement for you.

Which allergens should I check in decorated eierkoeken?

Read the latest allergen information on both the eierkoeken and the topping. AH Eierkoeken list egg, milk, cereals containing gluten and soya; Fairtrade Original Hagelslag Puur may contain milk. If you’re using a different combination, check the labels for those specific products.

How should I store eierkoeken before decorating them?

Follow the storage instructions and use-by date on the packaging. The product information for AH Eierkoeken says to store them in a cool, dry place and to reseal the packaging tightly after use.