Parents looking for a traditional treat with muisjes
You’re after the familiar aniseed flavour of Gestampte Muisjes for a small bag or as a topping, not a chocolate flavour.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Organisers who also want to offer adults something with cocoa
You’re putting together treat bags for children and the adults attending. If a stated cocoa content is important, choose a different type of product: dark chocolate sprinkles rather than Gestampte Muisjes.
Organisers who take the group into account
Before handing out the treats, you want to know about any allergies, dietary requirements and rules at the school, childcare setting or party venue. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends asking in advance.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether you mean aniseed muisjes or chocolate sprinkles. Then check that your chosen product suits the children and complies with the rules for the treat.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Flavour and type of product | Check whether you’re choosing aniseed Gestampte Muisjes or chocolate sprinkles. | If I want to put muisjes in the bags, I don’t want to accidentally buy chocolate sprinkles; around 33% of consumers prioritise choosing the right type of product. |
| Cocoa content | Only compare cocoa percentages stated on the packaging for the sprinkles in question. | I want to make a conscious choice for adults by selecting sprinkles with a stated cocoa content; around 25% of consumers prioritise this cocoa preference. |
| Suitability for the group | Ask about the rules for treats and any dietary requirements; check the current label before filling the bags. | When I’m handing out treats to a group of children, I want to know first that everyone can have one; around 42% of consumers prioritise suitability for the group. |
Common mistakes
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Buying Gestampte Muisjes for a dark chocolate flavour
The ingredients information for Gestampte Muisjes lists aniseed. If you’re looking for cocoa, you’re looking at the wrong type of product.
Choose muisjes only if aniseed suits your treat. Otherwise, look for chocolate sprinkles and check the cocoa content on the packaging.
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Relying only on an online ingredients list
The information shown for a product may differ from the packaging you eventually buy. This is especially important if someone needs to avoid certain ingredients.
Check the label on the pack you’ve bought before filling the bags, and check in advance for allergies and dietary requirements.
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Filling the bags before checking the group’s rules
A school or childcare setting may have rules about treats. Allergies or other dietary requirements can also affect which edible items are suitable.
Ask the venue and parents in advance about any relevant rules and requirements. If they’re not yet clear, wait until you’ve checked before choosing an edible product.
Brands to consider
De Ruijter
De Ruijter offers both Gestampte Muisjes and dark chocolate sprinkles in the product ranges mentioned. They are different types of topping, not variations of the same product.
- Albert Heijn lists Gestampte Muisjes in a 270 g pack; Jumbo says Specials Intens Puur contains at least 52% cocoa solids.
- The cocoa content of Specials Intens Puur tells you nothing about Gestampte Muisjes. Check the ingredients and allergens on the pack you choose.
Albert Heijn
The AH own-brand range is an option to consider if you’re looking for dark chocolate sprinkles rather than aniseed muisjes.
- Albert Heijn includes products such as AH Hagelslag xl puur and AH Hagelslag puur minder suiker in its sprinkles range.
- Don’t choose based on the variant name alone: check the individual label if cocoa, nutritional information or allergens are important to your choice.
Jumbo
Jumbo’s own-brand range includes dark chocolate sprinkles if you’d prefer a chocolate option to Gestampte Muisjes.
- Jumbo lists its own Chocoladehagelslag Puur in 200 g, 380 g and 600 g packs.
- Check the label for the variant you choose; the pack size tells you nothing about its cocoa content or allergens.
Dark chocolate sprinkles for a cocoa-focused option
This product suits the choice of chocolate sprinkles as a topping for a treat, not the choice of aniseed Gestampte Muisjes. Check the label and the rules for treats to make sure it’s suitable for your group.
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De Ruijter Intense Pure Chocolate Sprinkles 200 g
Dark chocolate sprinkles for anyone who wants to use chocolate as a topping for a treat instead of aniseed muisjes.
Before handing them out, check the current label for ingredients such as milk, soya and lactose if these are relevant to your group. Also check what the venue allows.
Frequently asked questions
Are Gestampte Muisjes the same as dark chocolate sprinkles?
No. The available ingredients information for Gestampte Muisjes lists aniseed; dark chocolate sprinkles are a different type of product. If you want to choose based on cocoa content, look for sprinkles with the cocoa content stated on the packaging.
Which De Ruijter sprinkles have a stated cocoa content?
Jumbo says that De Ruijter Specials Intens Puur contains at least 52% cocoa solids and De Ruijter Hagelslag Royaal at least 43%. These percentages apply to those sprinkles, not Gestampte Muisjes, and don’t in themselves tell you whether a product is suitable for the children in your group.
What should I check before handing out treat bags?
Ask in advance about allergies, other dietary requirements and the rules at the school or childcare setting. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends taking these into account; also check the current label on the exact product you’ll be handing out.
How much edible topping should I put in a children’s treat?
Keep the portion small, as the Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises for treats for young children. Also check that the contents comply with the venue’s rules and that the product you choose is suitable for the recipients.