Who is this relevant for?

Parents introducing independent eating

For larger pieces, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre says babies should be able to sit upright and swallow and chew well. Stay with your baby while they eat.

Parents looking to take a portion with them

An individually wrapped slice is easy to portion. If you’re considering it for an occasional snack, you should also check the sugar and salt content, and whether cake is a suitable snack.

Families with allergen requirements

If your baby has a known food allergy or intolerance, or their childcare setting has specific requirements, check the current label. The breakfast cake portions reviewed contain rye, so they contain gluten. Some labels also mention possible traces of milk or nuts.

What should you look for when choosing?

First, consider your baby’s eating skills and whether cake is suitable as a snack. Then compare the size and nutritional information.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Eating skills and supervision Check whether your baby can sit upright and swallow and chew well. Choose an appropriate piece and stay with them while they eat. If my baby still struggles with larger pieces, safe independent eating comes before choosing a mini cake. Around 36% of consumers put these eating skills first.
Cake as a snack Check the ingredients, sugar and salt content for the amount you plan to offer; don’t treat a single-portion pack as nutritional advice. For a regular snack routine, I want to know whether a snack is suitable for my baby, not just whether the portion is small. Around 36% of consumers also prioritise this nutritional choice.
Gluten and other allergens Check the current label for cereals containing gluten and possible traces of allergens. Make sure anything you take to childcare meets their requirements. If there’s a known allergen requirement, I need to be able to check whether this particular pack meets it. Checking the label is the main concern for around 14% of consumers.
Portion size and taking it with you Compare the weight and nutritional values of each individual piece, rather than relying on the word ‘mini’. When we’re out and about, I want to measure out one portion without accidentally taking several pieces. Around 14% of consumers put portion convenience first.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming a mini size makes it a suitable snack for a baby

    The size of a piece of cake doesn’t tell you whether your baby has the eating skills to manage it, or whether it’s suitable as a regular snack. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says babies should be able to sit upright and swallow and chew well before having larger pieces.

    Choose a suitable snack first, and only then consider size. Stay with your baby while they eat.

  • Looking only for ‘no added sugars’

    The Peijnenburg variety reviewed, which has no added sugars, contains xylitol and lists 0.17 g of salt per 28 g slice. The allergen information matters too.

    Read the full ingredients list and compare sugar, salt and allergens for the amount you actually plan to offer.

  • Relying on an old product listing

    On its product page for Jumbo Mini’s Ontbijtkoek 22 stuks, Jumbo says the product is no longer part of its online range.

    Check the current product page before buying. If you choose an alternative, compare the weight per piece, nutritional information and allergens again.

Brands to consider

Peijnenburg

For its Naturel 10-pack and Naturel zonder toegevoegde suikers 8-pack, Peijnenburg lists individually wrapped 28 g slices.

  • The consistent weight of each slice makes it possible to compare nutritional values per portion.
  • The regular Naturel portion contains 11 g of sugars; the no-added-sugars variety contains xylitol and has its own allergen information. Neither type of packaging makes cake a recommended regular snack for babies.

Jumbo

The product page for Jumbo Mini’s Ontbijtkoek 22 stuks lists each mini as weighing 12.5 g.

  • The stated weight shows how much each mini contains.
  • Jumbo says on that page that the product is no longer part of its online range. The label listed gluten from rye and wheat.

Albert Heijn

AH Ontbijtkoek naturel gesneden is a 485 g sliced cake, not a pack of individual mini portions.

  • The product information lists the ingredients, allergens and a 30 g portion.
  • If you’re looking for individually wrapped minis, sliced cake comes in a different format, and you’ll need to decide how much to offer.

Joybuy products

Related products will be available soon.

Frequently asked questions

Is mini Dutch spiced breakfast cake suitable as a daily snack during baby-led weaning?

No, not as a regular choice. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, snacks for babies should only be those that fit within the Wheel of Five. A small portion doesn’t change the fact that breakfast cake is a cake product; Peijnenburg lists 11 g of sugars in its regular 28 g Naturel slice.

When can I offer a larger piece?

Only consider offering a larger piece once your baby can sit upright and swallow and chew well, and stay with them while they eat. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends gradually building up the texture as your baby gets used to tasting foods.

Is breakfast cake with no added sugars automatically a better choice for my baby?

No. The Peijnenburg variety reviewed contains xylitol, lists 0.17 g of salt per 28 g slice, and has allergen information you need to take into account. ‘No added sugars’ doesn’t, by itself, mean it’s suitable as a regular snack.

What should I check if gluten or childcare allergen requirements are a concern?

Check the current label and your childcare setting’s requirements before sending breakfast cake in with your baby. The portion packs reviewed contain rye, a cereal that contains gluten, and may also mention traces of milk or nuts. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, gluten is unsuitable for people with coeliac disease.

Does all breakfast cake contain iodine because it’s made with baker’s salt?

You can’t tell from the product category alone. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains that iodine compounds may be present in bread, bread substitutes and other bakery products through the use of baker’s salt, which can contain up to 65 mg of iodine per kg of salt. Check the label to see whether a particular breakfast cake contains baker’s salt.