Who are small portions useful for?

Portion planners on the go

You want to take a portion of Dutch breakfast cake to school, work or out and about, without having to cut a larger cake yourself. Individually wrapped slices and small, individually wrapped bites are two possible formats.

Label comparers

You’re not just choosing by size; you also want to compare the sugars and fibre in the portion you’ll actually eat. So check the nutritional information per 100 g as well as the weight of one slice, bite or bar.

Family shoppers

You’re looking for several individual portions for different occasions. Check which formats are available at your usual shop: a product page doesn’t always confirm current availability at your local store.

What should you look for when choosing?

First decide whether you want to take a small bite, an individually wrapped slice or a bar with you. Then compare the portion sizes and labels of the products you can actually buy.

What to consider What to check before buying Who it matters to
A ready-to-go portion Check the weight per piece and whether each piece is individually wrapped. Albert Heijn lists ten individually wrapped 28 g slices in its Peijnenburg Naturel 10-pack. I want to take one slice with me without cutting a larger cake. For around 42% of consumers, having a ready-to-go portion would come first.
Sugars and fibre Compare sugars and fibre per 100 g and per portion; the weight of a mini, slice or bar can vary. I want to know what the nutritional information means for the piece I actually eat, even if it looks small. For around 33% of consumers, this comparison would be their first consideration.
Shop and availability Check whether your shop offers the format you want and look up the latest information for your local store. If I’m shopping for several occasions, I want to be able to find my chosen portion pack at my usual shop. That would be the main priority for around 25% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming a small breakfast cake is automatically low in sugars

    The size doesn’t determine how much sugar a product contains per 100 g. The Voedingscentrum lists 11.2 g of sugars per 30 g slice for average Dutch breakfast cake; a specific product may differ.

    Read the nutritional information per 100 g and compare it with the weight of the portion you want to eat.

  • Comparing only the number of pieces

    Individual pieces can vary considerably in weight. Jumbo listed portions of 12.5 g for its Mini’s Ontbijtkoek; according to Albert Heijn, the Peijnenburg Naturel 10-pack contains 28 g slices.

    Check the grams per piece before comparing two pack sizes.

  • Assuming a product page means it’s currently in stock in store

    Jumbo says its Mini’s Ontbijtkoek is no longer part of its online range. Lidl describes its cake bars as available in store only.

    Check the information from your shop before you go, and consider another portion format as a back-up.

    If your preferred format isn’t available, you may need to make an extra trip to the shop.

  • Assuming all Dutch breakfast cake contains iodised baker’s salt

    You can’t tell from the product category alone whether a particular breakfast cake contains iodised baker’s salt.

    Check the ingredients list on the exact pack if this matters to your choice.

Brands to consider

Peijnenburg

Albert Heijn lists a Naturel 10-pack with ten individually wrapped 28 g slices.

  • The weight per slice makes the portion size clear.
  • Check the current pack for nutritional information and allergens; product details may change.

Jumbo

Jumbo’s Mini’s Ontbijtkoek, with 22 portions of 12.5 g, shows just how small this format can be.

  • The weight per mini is listed.
  • Jumbo says this product is no longer part of its online range.

Goud Gebakken

ALDI lists Koekhappers in a spiced or breakfast cake variety, with six individually wrapped pieces.

  • The individual wrapping makes it easy to take one piece with you.
  • Check the weight per piece and nutritional information on the pack in store.

PLUS

PLUS lists breakfast cake bars in packs of six, including plain, raisin and reduced-sugar varieties.

  • A bar is a clearly portioned format for anyone who isn’t looking for a small bite.
  • Compare the ingredients and nutritional information on the pack of your chosen variety.

Lidl

Lidl lists cake bars in packs of six, including a reduced-sugar breakfast cake variety.

  • The pack contains individual bars rather than one large breakfast cake.
  • Lidl says these cake bars are available in store only; check availability at your local store.

Breakfast cake on Joybuy

If you’re looking for a bar to take with you as part of your shop, this is a breakfast cake to compare with slices and small bites for portion size and label information.

Snelle Jelle Breakfast Cake Less Sugar-Free 250 g

Snelle Jelle Breakfast Cake Less Sugar-Free 250 g

An option if you’d rather take a bar than a small bite with you. The pack lists 250 g; check the label for the weight per bar and the nutritional information per 100 g and per portion.

Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Does ‘no added sugars’ mean breakfast cake contains no sugars?

No. The Voedingscentrum lists 0.8 g of sugars per 30 g slice for breakfast cake with no added sugars. Check the nutritional information per 100 g and per portion for the product you choose.

What should I look for if I have a gluten or nut allergy?

Read the allergen information on the current packaging of the exact product. According to Albert Heijn, the Peijnenburg Naturel 10-pack contains rye and cereals containing gluten, and may contain milk, nuts, almonds and hazelnuts; product information may change.

Does all Dutch breakfast cake contain iodised baker’s salt?

You can’t assume this is true of every breakfast cake. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains that iodine compounds may be present in bakery products through the use of baker’s salt; this doesn’t confirm what a specific product contains. Check the ingredients list to find out.

How should I store individually wrapped breakfast cake?

Follow the storage and best-before information on the packaging. Joybuy says that one Peijnenburg variety should be kept in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight, heat and moisture; check the instructions for the variety you buy.