For chocolate-coated kruidnoten, look for a bar whose Fairtrade mark, ingredients and allergen information on the current packaging meet your requirements. Dark chocolate with 72% cocoa is a useful starting point: Allerhande uses it in a recipe for chocolate-coated kruidnoten, but that percentage isn’t essential for every recipe. If there’s an arrow beside the Fairtrade mark, check the back of the pack too. Fairtrade Netherlands explains that cocoa may be handled using mass balance, where Fairtrade and non-Fairtrade volumes are mixed during processing.
You want to check the Fairtrade information on the chocolate bar before coating your kruidnoten. Fairtrade Netherlands recommends checking the back of the pack if there’s an arrow beside the mark, and explains what mass balance means for traceability.
You’re looking for dark chocolate that will give your cooled kruidnoten the flavour you want. Allerhande’s recipe for chocolate-coated kruidnoten uses chocolate with 72% cocoa as a starting point.
If allergens matter to you or anyone sharing your food, check the ingredients and warnings on the current packaging of both the chocolate and any toppings. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre highlights the importance of label information for food allergies.
First, check that the specific bar meets your Fairtrade and any allergen requirements. Then choose a flavour and quantity that suit your recipe.
| What to look for | What to check when buying | Who is this most important to? |
|---|---|---|
| Fairtrade and traceability | Check the mark on the bar. If there’s an arrow, read the information about ingredients and traceability on the back. | If I want to use Fairtrade chocolate, I also want to know what the mark says about the cocoa. Around 36% of consumers put this check first. |
| Coating and flavour | Compare the cocoa percentage with the flavour you’re looking for, and check whether the bar contains fillings or pieces. Allerhande uses 72% dark chocolate for chocolate-coated kruidnoten. | For an even coating on my kruidnoten, I want to choose chocolate that suits my recipe and taste; this matters most to around 29% of consumers. |
| Allergens and ingredients | Read the ingredients, allergen information and any warnings on the current packaging; check any toppings you add too. | If someone sharing the food has a food allergy, I need to know which ingredients I’m using before I bake. This is the top priority for around 21% of consumers. |
| Quantity and availability | Compare the bar’s weight with the amount your recipe calls for, and check that your chosen option is available. | If I’m only making one batch, I want to be able to pick up a suitable size when I’m ready to bake. Around 14% of consumers prioritise this. |
Words such as sustainable or responsible don’t tell you which Fairtrade information applies to the specific bar.
Check the mark on the current packaging. If there’s an arrow beside it, read the explanation on the back too, as Fairtrade Netherlands recommends.
Fairtrade Netherlands explains that Fairtrade and non-Fairtrade volumes may be mixed during processing under mass balance. In that case, the mark alone doesn’t confirm that the cocoa has remained physically separate.
If physical traceability is essential to you, check the specific traceability information on the packaging before choosing a bar.
Fillings or pieces can make it harder to dip kruidnoten and create a smooth coating. Additions may also contain allergens.
Choose a bar without unwanted additions if you want an even coating, and always read the ingredients and allergen information.
Ingredients and other product information can change. This is particularly important if an allergen, dietary requirement or cocoa percentage affects your choice.
Check the current packaging before use, even if you’ve looked at the bar online before.
The AH Biologisch Extra Dark Chocolate Bar is one option to consider if you’re looking for dark chocolate for baking.
Albert Heijn lists ETHIQUABLE bars with 72% dark fair trade chocolate and 80% organic fair trade chocolate.
The Verkade Extra Dark Chocolate Bar is a specific option that Albert Heijn describes as made with Fairtrade cocoa.
Tony’s Chocolonely offers milk and dark chocolate bars, among other options. The brand states that its chocolate is Fairtrade-certified.
This dark chocolate bar fits the choice of Fairtrade chocolate with around 70% cocoa for coating kruidnoten. Allerhande’s recipe uses 72%; check the current packaging and the flavour you want for your own recipe too.
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A dark chocolate bar to consider if you’re looking for chocolate for a baking recipe. The product description mentions Fairtrade and baking, but doesn’t specify how it works as a coating for kruidnoten.
The bar weighs 180 g and the product description states that it contains at least 70% cocoa. Compare the quantity with your recipe and check the Fairtrade mark and any traceability information on the current packaging.
The product description lists soya and possible traces of eggs, nuts, cereals containing gluten and milk. If you have an allergy, always read the current label.
Check the Fairtrade mark on the bar’s current packaging. Fairtrade Netherlands explains that an arrow beside the mark points you to information on the back about the ingredients concerned.
No, the mark doesn’t automatically guarantee this. Fairtrade Netherlands explains that mass balance may be used for cocoa: Fairtrade and non-Fairtrade volumes can be mixed during processing, while the volumes are recorded and audited administratively. If physical separation matters to you, read the traceability information on the packaging.
Dark chocolate with 72% cocoa is one useful starting point for chocolate-coated kruidnoten: Allerhande uses 200 g in its recipe. This isn’t a required percentage; also check that the specific bar meets your Fairtrade requirements, taste preferences and any allergen requirements.
Leave the kruidnoten to cool completely first. Allerhande’s recipe then suggests melting chopped chocolate in a bain-marie, dipping the kruidnoten and leaving them on baking paper until the chocolate has set.
Yes. If you have a food allergy, always read the allergen information on the current packaging; ‘dark’ in the product name doesn’t mean it’s allergen-free. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre highlights how important label information can be for food allergies. Check any toppings you add to the kruidnoten too.
