Who is this choice important for?

If you’re preparing breakfast for someone with coeliac disease

A gluten-free label is the first thing to look for. Use clean cutlery and a clean surface when serving the cake, so it doesn’t come into contact with crumbs from ordinary products.

If you need to allow for another allergy

Milk or lupin may also be a concern, in addition to gluten. The Peijnenburg, Jumbo and AH products reviewed list these allergens, so check the ingredients and allergen information on the pack you buy.

If you’re looking for a small Mother’s Day treat

An individually wrapped breakfast cake bar is suitable for one person, while a larger cake can be shared. Once you’ve established that the product is suitable for the recipient, compare the number of portions and the nutritional information.

What should you look for when choosing?

Start by checking for a gluten-free label and any other allergens. Then decide whether you want to give someone an individual portion or serve breakfast cake to several people.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Choosing and serving gluten-free Look for ‘gluten-free’ on the packaging. Keep the cake separate from ordinary bread and cake products when serving it. When I’m preparing breakfast for someone with coeliac disease, I want to prevent the cake from coming into contact with ordinary crumbs. Around 50% of consumers prioritise gluten-free suitability.
Other allergens Read the ingredients and allergen information, especially for milk and lupin. Check for information about nuts and sesame too, if needed. If the recipient also has a milk or lupin allergy, the cake needs to meet that additional requirement. For around 30% of consumers, an additional ingredient requirement like this matters most.
Portions and nutritional information Compare the pack weight and number of portions. Check sugars and fibre on the same basis, for example per 100 g. For a treat for one person, I’d look for a different pack from one for breakfast with several people. Portion size or nutritional information is the deciding factor for around 20% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming ‘Zero’ means ‘gluten-free’

    A claim about sugars tells you nothing about whether a product contains gluten. You could end up choosing a cake that isn’t suitable for the recipient.

    If you’re buying for someone with coeliac disease, first look for the explicit ‘gluten-free’ label on the packaging.

  • Stopping reading after spotting the gluten-free logo

    The gluten-free breakfast cakes and bar reviewed also list milk and lupin. For someone with another allergy, that could be what determines the choice.

    Read all the ingredients and allergen information on the packaging, including any ‘may contain’ statements that are relevant to the recipient.

  • Relying only on an online product description

    If someone has an allergy or needs a product labelled gluten-free, the information on the packaging of the product you actually buy is what you need to check.

    Check the current label just before buying and make sure it’s exactly the variant you’re looking for.

Brands to consider

Peijnenburg

Peijnenburg makes a 285 g gluten-free plain breakfast cake which, according to the brand, can be divided into nine portions.

  • An uncut cake for anyone who wants to slice and share it themselves.
  • The listed ingredients include milk and lupin. The nutritional information lists 42 g of sugars and 1 g of fibre per 100 g.

Jumbo Lekker Vrij

Jumbo describes a 300 g uncut gluten-free breakfast cake and displays the Crossed Grain symbol.

  • Jumbo lists twelve portions for this cake, which can be shared.
  • According to Jumbo, the cake contains milk and lupin and may also contain other listed allergens. Check the packaging to make sure it’s suitable for the recipient.

AH Glutenvrij

AH’s gluten-free breakfast cake bar is an individual 65 g portion.

  • The individually wrapped bar is a good choice for a treat for one person.
  • Albert Heijn lists milk, lactose and lupin, and also notes the possible presence of sesame and various nuts.

Damhert

Jumbo’s product information includes a 300 g gluten-free breakfast spice cake from Damhert.

  • Another cake option to consider if you can find a current pack.
  • The product information lists milk and lactose. Check the current label and availability before choosing this option for Mother’s Day.

Related products on Joybuy

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

How do I choose breakfast cake for someone with coeliac disease?

Choose a pack explicitly labelled ‘gluten-free’. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre also recommends the Crossed Grain symbol as a guide. When serving the cake, make sure it doesn’t come into contact with ordinary bread or cake crumbs.

Is gluten-free breakfast cake also free from milk or lupin?

No. ‘Gluten-free’ tells you nothing about these other allergens. The Peijnenburg and Jumbo cakes and the AH bar reviewed list milk and lupin. Always check the current allergen information on the packaging for the recipient.

Does gluten-free breakfast cake automatically contain iodine from baker’s salt?

Don’t assume it does: the ‘gluten-free’ label doesn’t tell you what source of iodine the breakfast cake contains. If iodine content matters to your choice, check the current label or ask the manufacturer about the ingredients.

How should I store and serve the cake for Mother’s Day breakfast?

Follow the storage instructions on the packaging. When serving, use clean cutlery and a clean surface, separate from ordinary bread and cake products, to avoid contact with crumbs.