Bakers decorating several batches
If you’re making pepernoten for a group, it helps to compare the pack size with the amount of sprinkles you plan to use.
Who is this relevant for?
Bakers looking for a striking finish
You can choose between whole, coloured muisjes and a finer, crushed sprinkle. In a Jumbo recipe, muisjes are attached to a prepared biscuit with melted chocolate; you could try the same method on pepernoten after baking.
Shoppers checking for allergens
If wheat or gluten needs to be avoided, checking the allergen information on the exact pack is essential before use.
What should you look for when choosing?
First, decide how many pepernoten you want to decorate and what texture you’re looking for. Then check that the ingredients in your chosen product are suitable for everyone who’ll be eating them.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Quantity | Compare the net weight with the number of batches you want to decorate. Albert Heijn and Jumbo list whole varieties in 330 g packs; PLUS lists crushed muisjes in a 270 g pack. | If I want to decorate lots of pepernoten, I don’t want to run out of sprinkles halfway through. For around 33% of consumers, the amount needed would be the main consideration. |
| Texture and finish | Choose between whole grains and a crushed version. A Jumbo recipe shows how muisjes can be added to a biscuit with melted chocolate after baking. | I want the finish to suit the pepernoten: clearly visible grains or a finer sprinkle. Around 45% of consumers would put this choice first. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the ingredients and allergen information on the pack. The De Ruijter Feestmuisjes listed by Albert Heijn contain wheat starch. | If someone needs to avoid wheat or gluten, I want to check the exact product before using it. For around 22% of consumers, checking the label would be their main concern. |
Common mistakes
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Sprinkling muisjes onto dry pepernoten
Loose sprinkles can fall off a dry surface. The Jumbo recipe uses melted chocolate to help muisjes stick to a prepared biscuit.
If you want to try this method with pepernoten, let them cool first, add the chocolate and then sprinkle over the muisjes.
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Relying only on an online ingredients list
Ingredients information can change. The Feestmuisjes listed by Albert Heijn include wheat starch in the ingredients.
Before use, check the ingredients and allergen information on the pack you’ve actually bought.
A relevant brand to consider
De Ruijter
Albert Heijn, Jumbo and PLUS list De Ruijter muisjes in whole 330 g packs and a crushed 270 g version. The product format is the main factor in the finish you can create.
- Whole muisjes give you visible grains; crushed muisjes create a finer sprinkle.
- The Feestmuisjes listed by Albert Heijn contain wheat starch. If wheat or gluten needs to be avoided, check the current label for each variety.
Muisjes at Joybuy
These blue and white whole muisjes are an option if you want to decorate baked pepernoten with visible grains. Compare the pack size with the amount you’ll need.
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De Ruijter Muisjes Blue-White 330 g
For decorating baked pepernoten with whole, blue and white muisjes.
330 g pack. The product description lists sugar-coated aniseed seeds and wheat starch; check the ingredients and allergen information on the exact pack.
Frequently asked questions
Should I mix muisjes into the pepernoten dough?
It’s better to use them as a topping after baking. PLUS describes crushed muisjes as a decoration for baked goods, and a Jumbo recipe uses melted chocolate to attach muisjes to a prepared biscuit. This doesn’t show how they behave in pepernoten dough.
When should I choose whole or crushed muisjes?
Choose whole muisjes if you want to see individual grains, and crushed muisjes if you’re after a finer sprinkle. Check the pack size too: the listed whole varieties are 330 g, while the crushed version is 270 g.
Can I use these muisjes if wheat or gluten needs to be avoided?
Don’t assume they’re suitable: the De Ruijter Feestmuisjes listed by Albert Heijn contain wheat starch. Check the ingredients and allergen information on the exact pack for every variety.
How should I store pepernoten before decorating them?
Store pepernoten in a cool, dry, dark place in an airtight container, as advised by the Voedingscentrum. Also check the storage instructions on the muisjes pack.