If you’re making party treats yourself
Aniseed sprinkles can be used to decorate biscuits or cupcakes. Jumbo has a recipe showing how to use them on a chocolate biscuit; the chocolate and biscuit are separate ingredients.
Who should consider each option?
If you want to give a gift straight away
If you’re after a ready-to-give chocolate gift, bear in mind that a box of chocolates and loose aniseed sprinkles are different things. Albert Heijn describes De Ruijter Feestmuisjes as sugar-coated aniseed, not chocolates.
If you need to check for allergens
Check which ingredients are suitable for your guests before serving. Jumbo’s description of De Ruijter blue and white aniseed sprinkles lists wheat and cereals containing gluten. Check the label on the pack you’re using, too.
What should you look for when choosing?
First, decide whether you’re making treats yourself or looking for a gift that’s ready to give without any preparation. Then check the ingredients and packaging of the product you plan to serve.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Decoration | Think about what you want to sprinkle the aniseed sprinkles over and which base ingredients you’ll need. | If I’m making biscuits or cupcakes myself, I’m mainly looking for something to decorate them with. Around 40% of consumers prioritise this kind of decoration. |
| Gift or preparation | Decide whether you want a ready-to-give box of chocolates, loose aniseed sprinkles or a combination you make yourself. | If I want to hand over a gift straight away, I don’t want to have to make any treats first. Around 30% of consumers prioritise being able to present a gift immediately. |
| Labelling and storage | Read the current ingredients and allergen information, best-before date and storage instructions on the packaging. | If several guests are sharing the food, I want to know what’s in the product before serving it. Checking the label is the top priority for around 30% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Mistaking aniseed sprinkles for a box of chocolates
Albert Heijn describes De Ruijter Feestmuisjes as sugar-coated aniseed. To make a chocolate treat, you’ll also need chocolate and something to decorate.
Before you buy, decide whether you want a ready-to-give gift or plan to make a snack yourself.
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Relying only on older allergen information online
Jumbo lists wheat and cereals containing gluten for De Ruijter blue and white aniseed sprinkles. Albert Heijn advises that the packaging is the definitive source for up-to-date allergy information.
Read the label on the pack you’re going to serve, and take your guests’ dietary needs into account.
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Leaving it until the event to check the packaging
If you’re buying in advance, it’s important to check the best-before date and storage instructions for your chosen product.
Check the packaging in good time and follow the storage instructions.
A brand to consider
De Ruijter
Albert Heijn and Jumbo list several types of De Ruijter aniseed sprinkles, including Feestmuisjes, blue and white sprinkles, and crushed sprinkles.
- The varieties differ, so choose the pack that suits the decoration you want to make.
- Aniseed sprinkles aren’t a box of chocolates. Jumbo’s description of the blue and white variety lists wheat and cereals containing gluten; check the allergens on each pack.
Products for homemade treats
These Joybuy products include aniseed sprinkles, chocolate sprinkles and cake decorations for anyone finishing off homemade treats. None of these products is a ready-to-give box of chocolates; check the current label for each one.
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De Ruijter blue and white aniseed sprinkles 330 g
For anyone who wants to decorate homemade treats with aniseed sprinkles; this isn’t a chocolate gift.
330 g pack. Jumbo’s description of the blue and white variety lists wheat and cereals containing gluten; read the label before serving.
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De Ruijter Intense Pure Chocolate Sprinkles 200 g
Chocolate sprinkles for anyone decorating food at home, rather than looking for a box of chocolates.
200 g pack. Check the ingredients and allergen information on the label.
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g'woon milk chocolate sprinkles with smileys 550 g
For anyone who wants to decorate homemade treats with chocolate sprinkles featuring smiley faces, rather than give them as a gift on their own.
550 g pack. Read the ingredients and allergen information on the packaging before serving.
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Venz milk chocolate sprinkles 400 g
Chocolate sprinkles for anyone decorating a homemade treat.
400 g pack; not a ready-to-give chocolate gift. Check the current label.
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Dr. Oetker Glaze Choco cupcake decoration 100 g
For anyone decorating cupcakes at home and looking for a chocolate finish.
100 g pack; this isn’t a box of chocolates. Read the instructions and allergen information on the packaging.
Frequently asked questions
Are aniseed sprinkles the same as a box of chocolates?
No. Albert Heijn describes De Ruijter Feestmuisjes as sugar-coated aniseed. If you want a box of chocolates you can give straight away, you’ll need a different product.
Can I combine aniseed sprinkles with chocolate for party treats?
Yes, if you prepare the treats yourself. A Jumbo recipe uses sponge fingers, melted white chocolate and aniseed sprinkles; remember that these are separate ingredients and need to be prepared.
Which allergens should I check in blue and white aniseed sprinkles?
Jumbo lists wheat and cereals containing gluten for De Ruijter blue and white aniseed sprinkles. Read the current packaging before serving, and if you’re combining ingredients, check the labels on those too.
Where can I find allergen information on pre-packed food?
Under general EU food labelling rules, allergen information must be provided on pre-packed food. Check the label on the specific product you plan to use, even if you’ve already looked at its details online.
What should I check if I buy aniseed sprinkles in advance?
Check the best-before date and storage instructions on the packaging. Store the aniseed sprinkles as directed until you’re ready to use them for your event.