When choosing chocolate sprinkles for pepernoten or kruidnoten, first check the organic labelling, then choose between dark, extra-dark and milk chocolate based on the ingredients, allergens and flavour. Using sprinkles as a decoration after baking is different from baking them into the dough. For the latter, you can’t tell from the product name whether the sprinkles will hold their shape, so try a small amount first.
You want to choose chocolate sprinkles for decorating pepernoten or kruidnoten with clearly identifiable organic status. Skal Biocontrole identifies the EU organic logo as a way to recognise organic products.
You’re choosing between dark and extra-dark chocolate sprinkles for the finishing touch. Ekoplaza’s product information states that Chocoreale extra-dark sprinkles contain at least 50% cocoa solids; this figure applies to that specific variety.
You want to check the ingredients, allergen warnings and sugars per 100 g before buying. According to the relevant product information, even dark or extra-dark chocolate sprinkles may contain milk or lactose.
First decide whether you’ll decorate after baking or bake the sprinkles into the dough. Then check the organic labelling and the label on the variety you choose.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Organic labelling | Check the EU organic logo and organic labelling on the current packaging. Skal Biocontrole describes the logo as a way to recognise organic products. | I want to be sure the sprinkles for my kruidnoten are organic, rather than relying on the look of the packaging alone. For around 42% of consumers, this check comes first. |
| Flavour and when to decorate | Choose the chocolate variety and decide whether you’ll decorate after baking. If you do want to bake the sprinkles into the dough, try a small amount first with your own dough and baking time. | When choosing sprinkles for my pepernoten, the chocolate flavour I want and when I add them matter most. Around 33% of consumers prioritise this finishing touch. |
| Allergens and sugars | Read the ingredients and allergen warnings for the exact product. Compare the sugars per 100 g and bear in mind how much you’ll use. | If milk or soya is a concern for me, or I want to compare sugar levels, the label determines my choice. This is the main concern for around 25% of consumers. |
Organic certification doesn’t tell you about nutritional value. Ekoplaza’s product information gives sugar values of 50.0 to 68.2 g per 100 g for the varieties reviewed.
Use the organic labelling to check provenance, then compare the nutritional information and serving size separately.
Ekoplaza’s product information warns that the dark and extra-dark chocolate sprinkles reviewed may contain milk or lactose.
If you have an allergy, check the ingredients and allergen warnings on the packaging of the exact variety.
Advice on using sprinkles on cakes or desserts doesn’t tell you how they’ll behave in pepernoten dough or on unbaked kruidnoten. In a kruidnoten recipe, Rutger Bakt describes adding chocolate after baking.
Decide in advance when you’ll decorate. If you want to bake the sprinkles in, first try a small amount with the same dough, oven temperature and baking time.
Albert Heijn describes its organic dark chocolate sprinkles as bearing the EU organic logo and Skal number 103769.
Chocoreale extra-dark chocolate sprinkles are a useful reference if you want to consider the cocoa content of an organic variety.
The dark and milk chocolate sprinkles from Your Organic Nature reviewed here offer two different ingredient options for decorating.
Look for the organic labelling and the EU organic logo on the packaging. Skal Biocontrole describes the logo as a way to recognise an organic product.
Decorating after baking means you don’t have to rely on unconfirmed claims that the sprinkles will hold their shape in the oven. Rutger Bakt describes adding chocolate after baking. If you want to use sprinkles in the dough or on unbaked kruidnoten, try a small amount first.
No, organic labelling on its own tells you nothing about the sugar content. Compare the nutritional information per 100 g for the products you’re considering, and think about how much chocolate sprinkles you’ll actually use.
No. Ekoplaza’s product information states that the dark and extra-dark varieties reviewed may contain milk or lactose; milk chocolate sprinkles contain whole milk powder. If you have an allergy, always read the allergen information on the exact packaging.
