Mother’s Day bakers looking to cut down on sugar
You’re looking for a decoration for a sweet treat, but the sugar content is what matters most. So check the nutrition information for the product you plan to use, even if it’s only a small topping.
Who is this choice for?
Aniseed and decoration fans
You want to use the flavour and look of muisjes on cupcakes, biscuits or cake, for example. PLUS lists these as uses for De Ruijter Feestmuisjes; this says nothing about their sugar content being lower.
Shoppers who check ingredients
You’re making something for guests with allergies or specific dietary requirements and want to know exactly what’s in the topping. The ingredients list published by Holland Snack Express for Gestampte Muisjes includes wheat starch; Albert Heijn warns that product information can change. So check the current packaging.
What should you look for when choosing?
Traditional muisjes
A good choice if: you mainly want muisjes for their aniseed flavour and decorative look.
The trade-off: Holland Snack Express lists 79 g of sugars per 100 g for De Ruijter Gestampte Muisjes, so don’t assume it’s a low-sugar topping.
Other decorations
A good choice if: reducing sugar matters more to you than the flavour and look of traditional muisjes.
The trade-off: another topping may not give you the same aniseed flavour or finish. Check the sugars and any claim on the packaging of the product you choose.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who should consider this? |
|---|---|---|
| Sugar content | Compare the sugars per 100 g for the specific products. Also check the nutrition information for the portion you plan to use and verify any claim on the label. | If I want to serve less sugar, the nutrition information should matter more than how festive a topping looks. Around 50% of consumers would put reducing sugar first. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the current ingredients and allergen information on the packaging, especially if you’re baking for other people. | If I’m baking for guests with an allergy or specific dietary requirement, I want to know which topping is suitable before I start. Around 30% of consumers would put this check first. |
| Decoration and packaging | Decide whether you want to use the topping on a cake, cupcakes or biscuits, and choose a pack size that suits your plans. | If you’re mainly decorating a Mother’s Day cake, flavour, colour and the amount you need may matter most. Around 20% of consumers would put decorative use first. |
Common mistakes
-
Assuming a small topping is automatically low in sugar
The size of a muisje tells you nothing about its nutritional value per 100 g. Holland Snack Express lists 79 g of sugars per 100 g for De Ruijter Gestampte Muisjes.
Check the value per 100 g before comparing products, then decide how much you want to use for your treat.
-
Mistaking a shop category for a product claim
A category for sugar-conscious products doesn’t, in itself, tell you anything about the ingredients of a particular type of muisjes. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, products must meet certain conditions to carry nutrition claims.
Read the exact claim and the product’s own nutrition information rather than relying on the name of a shop category.
-
Relying on an old ingredients list
Albert Heijn points out that ingredients and allergen information can change. This is particularly important when you’re making something for guests with specific dietary requirements.
Check the packaging of the product you’re actually using before serving your treat.
Brands and shops to consider
De Ruijter
De Ruijter offers Gestampte Muisjes, pink-and-white and blue-and-white varieties, as well as festive versions.
- The different varieties give you a choice of shape and colour to suit your decoration.
- Holland Snack Express lists 79 g of sugars per 100 g for Gestampte Muisjes. Don’t assume this applies to other varieties; check their own packaging.
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn lists De Ruijter muisjes in its own muisjes category and also has a separate category for sugar-conscious products.
- Product listings help you tell varieties such as Gestampte Muisjes and Feestmuisjes apart.
- A shop category isn’t a sugar claim for a particular variety of muisjes. Albert Heijn advises shoppers to bear in mind that product information can change.
Jumbo
Jumbo lists several De Ruijter varieties, including Gestampte, pink-and-white, blue-and-white and festive muisjes.
- The range gives you a starting point for choosing the shape and pack you want.
- If you want less sugar, check the nutrition information for the variety you choose rather than going by its name.
PLUS
PLUS lists De Ruijter Gestampte Muisjes and Feestmuisjes, and suggests ways to use the festive variety.
- PLUS suggests using Feestmuisjes on cupcakes, cakes and biscuits.
- Being suitable as a decoration tells you nothing about the sugar content; check the nutrition information on the relevant packaging.
Related products on Joybuy
Related products coming soon.
Frequently asked questions
Are traditional muisjes low in sugar?
Don’t assume they are based on their size or appearance. Holland Snack Express lists 79 g of sugars per 100 g for De Ruijter Gestampte Muisjes. Before drawing conclusions about other varieties, check their own up-to-date nutrition information.
Can you use muisjes on a Mother’s Day cake?
Yes, muisjes can work as a cake decoration. PLUS also suggests using De Ruijter Feestmuisjes on cupcakes and biscuits. Using the product as a decoration doesn’t change its nutritional value.
What should you look for in a ‘less sugar’ topping?
Read the exact claim and compare the sugars per 100 g for the products you’re considering. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre explains that nutrition claims must meet certain conditions; a category name or festive product description doesn’t replace the information on the specific product.
Should you check the packaging again if you’ve bought muisjes before?
Yes, especially if the ingredients or allergens matter to your guests. Albert Heijn says this information and the nutrition values can change. So check the current packaging of the variety you’re serving.