If you want to hand out the cake in advance
If you want to set out a sealed portion for every barbecue guest, there’s no need to cut anything while serving. Peijnenburg lists individually wrapped varieties weighing 27, 28 and 49 g per piece.
Who are individually wrapped portions useful for?
If you’re looking for a smaller sweet portion
A 27 or 28 g portion lets you set out a smaller amount per person than a 49 g portion. Consider any preference for a variety with no added sugars separately from the portion size.
If you need to check ingredients and allergens
If a guest’s dietary needs make the ingredients important, read the label on the variety you’ve bought before serving. The size or brand name won’t tell you which ingredients and allergens apply to that particular pack.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether you want to hand out small, sealed portions or set out a larger piece for each guest. Then look at the variety and the information on the packaging.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Small, individually wrapped portions | Check that each piece is individually wrapped and weighs 27 or 28 g. | I want to give each guest a small, sealed portion without having to cut it on the spot. Around 45% of consumers put this first. |
| Variety with no added sugars | Read the claim on the pack you’ve chosen and compare the sugars per 100 g and per portion. | If I’m specifically looking for this type of variety, I don’t want to assume from the name that the cake is sugar-free. This preference is a deciding factor for around 33% of consumers. |
| Larger serving portion | Compare the weight per piece and the number of individually wrapped pieces. | For a more substantial snack, I’d rather offer one larger piece than the smallest portion. This is the priority for around 22% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming ‘mini’ always means the same portion size
Peijnenburg lists individually wrapped pieces weighing 27 and 28 g, as well as 49 g. So the number of pieces in a pack doesn’t tell you how large each portion is.
Check both the number of pieces and the weight per piece before sharing the cake among your guests.
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Confusing ‘no added sugars’ with sugar-free
The claim doesn’t mean that a product contains no sugars. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre lists 0.8 g of sugars in a 30 g slice of breakfast cake with no added sugars; values can vary by brand.
Check the ingredients and nutritional information for the exact variety you’re buying.
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Skipping the allergen label
A different flavour or pack may have a different composition. This is particularly important when you’re setting something out for guests with allergies.
Before serving, check the current ingredients and allergen information on the pack you’ve bought.
Brands to compare
Peijnenburg
For anyone looking to hand out individually wrapped breakfast cake, Peijnenburg lists packs containing pieces weighing 27, 28 and 49 g.
- The different weights let you choose smaller or larger portions in advance.
- Ingredients, nutritional information and allergens need to be checked for each variety.
Jumbo
Jumbo lists, among other things, a 475 g sliced breakfast cake under its own brand. This is a different way to serve it from giving each guest a sealed portion.
- With a sliced pack, you can decide how many pieces to set out.
- Check the product page for your chosen item to see whether the pieces are individually wrapped, if that’s important for your barbecue.
Koek & Bakker
ALDI lists a pre-sliced 485 g Koek & Bakker Ontbijtkoek Zero. Pre-sliced doesn’t mean individually wrapped.
- Pre-sliced pieces don’t need to be cut on the spot.
- Check the exact pack if each guest needs their own sealed portion.
Breakfast cake on Joybuy
This option is worth considering if you’re thinking of offering a larger portion of cake at your barbecue. Check the weight per bar and whether the pack contains individually wrapped pieces if you want to hand them out in advance.
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Snelle Jelle Breakfast Cake Less Sugar-Free 250 g
An option to consider if you want to set out a larger portion of cake at your barbecue. The pack contains 250 g; check the weight and packaging of each bar before using the product as individually wrapped portions.
Read the ingredients, allergens and nutritional information on the label. Don’t assume from the variety name that the product is sugar-free or contains no added sugars.
Frequently asked questions
What portion size works well for a barbecue?
An individually wrapped 27 or 28 g piece is a good choice if you want to hand out small portions in advance; choose a 49 g piece if you’re deliberately offering a larger snack. Peijnenburg lists packs in these sizes, but check the weight of the variety you choose.
Is breakfast cake with no added sugars also sugar-free?
No, the two descriptions don’t mean the same thing. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre lists 0.8 g of sugars in a 30 g slice of breakfast cake with no added sugars; compare the nutritional information on the specific pack before you buy.
Should I check for allergens when serving it?
Yes, check the allergen information for the breakfast cake you’re actually serving, especially if a guest has an allergy. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains which allergens must be listed on labels; don’t rely solely on an earlier product description.
Does all breakfast cake in the Netherlands contain iodine?
You can’t assume that all breakfast cake does. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, iodine compounds may be present in bread, bread substitutes and other bakery products because baking salt containing no more than 65 mg of iodine per kg of salt has been added. If you have a question about a specific product, ask the manufacturer for information about its composition.