Who is this relevant to?

If you want one treat per compartment

You’re looking for a sealed portion that you don’t have to cut or wrap yourself. Peijnenburg lists five individually wrapped plain bars weighing 32.5 g each; ALDI lists six individually wrapped cake bites.

If you’re keeping an eye on sugar and sweeteners

You want to compare the nutritional information for individually wrapped bars. Peijnenburg and AH offer varieties with different sugar claims; be sure to check the ingredients and any warnings too.

If you’re checking ingredients for the recipient

You want to make sure your chosen variety is suitable for someone who needs to avoid ingredients such as rye, gluten, nuts or milk. Check the label for the exact bar, as ingredients and possible traces vary between varieties.

What should you look for?

Start by checking how many individually wrapped portions there are and how much room your Advent calendar compartments have. Then decide which nutritional information and ingredients matter most to the recipient.

What to consider What to check before buying Who is this most important for?
Individual wrapping and size Check whether each bar is wrapped separately, how many are in the pack and whether a portion will fit in the compartment. If I want to fill each compartment with one individually wrapped treat, I don’t want to have to cut up and wrap a larger cake myself. For around 40% of consumers, individual portions come first.
Sugar and sweeteners Compare sugars per 100 g and per portion. For varieties containing sweeteners, check the ingredients and warnings too. I want to choose a bar based on its sugar content without overlooking any warning about sweeteners. This is the most important consideration for around 30% of consumers.
Ingredients and allergens Read the current label for the exact variety, including its ingredients and any statements about possible traces. If the recipient needs to avoid certain ingredients, I want to read the label before choosing a bar. Around 30% of consumers prioritise checking the ingredients.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming a pack of bars is ready to put in the calendar

    The number of bars alone doesn’t tell you whether each portion is individually wrapped and ready to go in a compartment.

    Look for ‘individually wrapped’ or ‘wrapped separately’ on the packaging, and count how many portions you need.

    Cutting and wrapping a cake yourself takes extra preparation time and packaging materials.

  • Relying on ‘less sugar’ or ‘zero’ claims alone

    These claims don’t tell you which sweeteners or allergens a bar contains. For the zero variety reviewed, AH includes a warning that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.

    Before choosing a variety for the recipient, read the nutritional information per portion, the ingredients and any warnings.

  • Choosing a flavoured variety without checking allergens

    According to Jumbo’s product information, the Peijnenburg nut bar reviewed contains, among other things, almonds and hazelnuts, and may contain milk.

    For a nut or other flavoured variety, check the current label and don’t choose a bar if its ingredients aren’t suitable for the recipient.

  • Assuming all bars contain iodine

    A general reference to iodised baker’s salt doesn’t tell you which salt was used in a specific breakfast cake bar.

    If that’s an important factor in your choice, check the current product information or ask the manufacturer about the exact bar.

Brands worth considering

Peijnenburg

Peijnenburg lists several types of individually wrapped breakfast cake bars, including plain and a variety the brand describes as ‘no added sugar’.

  • According to Peijnenburg, the plain 5-pack contains five individually wrapped bars weighing 32.5 g each; another 5-pack listed contains bars weighing 27 g each.
  • Check the ingredients for each variety. For the products reviewed, rye, possible traces of milk or nuts and, in one variety, xylitol are all worth noting.

AH

AH lists individually wrapped spiced cake and breakfast cake bars for anyone looking to compare reduced-sugar varieties.

  • AH lists five 42 g portions in its Kruidkoekreep zero 5-pack and says its Ontbijtkoekreep met minder suiker bars are individually wrapped.
  • Check the allergen information and warnings for your chosen variety. For the zero variety reviewed, AH warns that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.

Goud Gebakken

ALDI lists a pack of spiced cake or breakfast cake bites under the Goud Gebakken brand.

  • According to ALDI, the pack contains six individually wrapped pieces.
  • If you’re choosing based on ingredients, allergens or portion size, check the packaging for the variety you want.

Breakfast cake bars at Joybuy

If you’re looking for a breakfast cake bar as an Advent treat, check whether the bars in this product selection are individually wrapped and whether each portion fits in the compartment.

Snelle Jelle Breakfast Cake Less Sugar-Free 250 g

Snelle Jelle Breakfast Cake Less Sugar-Free 250 g

An option to consider if you’re looking for breakfast cake bars to use as individually wrapped Advent treats. The product is labelled 250 g; check the packaging for individual portions, nutritional information and what the sugar claim means for this variety.

View at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Which breakfast cake can I put in an Advent calendar without cutting it myself?

Choose a variety that is clearly described as individually wrapped. Peijnenburg lists five individually wrapped plain bars weighing 32.5 g each; ALDI lists six individually wrapped cake bites. Check that each portion will fit in the compartment too.

Should I still check the ingredients if a bar says ‘no added sugar’?

Yes. Check the ingredients and allergens even for this type of variety. According to the product information, the Peijnenburg variety reviewed contains xylitol and may contain traces of milk, nuts and other gluten-containing cereals.

Are these breakfast cake bars gluten-free?

Don’t assume they are: the Peijnenburg and AH varieties reviewed list rye and/or gluten-containing cereals. Read the current label for the exact bar before choosing it for someone who needs to avoid gluten.

How should I store the bars until I fill the Advent calendar?

Follow the storage instructions and use-by date on the packaging for your chosen bar. Keep the bars in their individual wrappers while storing them if you plan to put them in separate compartments later.