Hosts catering for fussy eaters
If you don’t want to rely on just one type of rusk or bread, serving plain or white as well as wholemeal gives guests a choice of flavour and texture.
Who is this combination for?
Guests who prefer wholemeal
Alongside the celebratory topping, they’ll want the option of a wholegrain base. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, wholemeal bread contains more fibre, vitamins and minerals than white bread.
Hosts who need to consider allergens
When catering for a mixed group, you’ll want to check the ingredients in both the grain base and the chocolate sprinkles, and serve the products separately so they’re easy to identify.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide what choice of rusk or bread you’ll offer at the birthday table. Then consider the portions of chocolate sprinkles and the ingredients in the exact products you plan to serve.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Choice between plain and wholemeal | Check whether the rusk or bread you’ve chosen is labelled wholemeal. Keep the different types clearly separate when serving. | I want fussy eaters to find a familiar option without leaving out the wholemeal choice. For around 45% of consumers, having that choice would be the top priority. |
| Topping and portion | Compare the nutrition information for chocolate sprinkles per portion, and check the stated amounts of sugars and saturated fat. | I want to offer chocolate sprinkles as a celebratory topping, but also be able to decide how much to put on my rusk. For around 33% of consumers, that balance would come first. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the allergen information for both the grain base and the exact variety of chocolate sprinkles. Use separate bowls and serving spoons if you need to avoid cross-contact between products. | If a guest needs to avoid certain ingredients, I want to know what’s in each product before serving. For around 22% of consumers, checking this would be the main priority. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming dark chocolate sprinkles are dairy-free
Albert Heijn’s product information for De Ruijter Royaal extra puur and Jumbo’s information for Venz Puur both list milk and soya. So the word ‘dark’ doesn’t mean a product is allergen-free.
Read the ingredients and allergen information for the exact variety you’re buying.
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Confusing wholemeal with allergen-free
Jumbo lists wheat, oats, barley and sesame, among other ingredients, in Bolletje Vezelrijk Beschuit Donker Volkoren. Preferring wholemeal and avoiding allergens are two different considerations.
Check the packaging and avoid cross-contact between products if a guest needs to avoid a relevant allergen.
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Thinking of chocolate sprinkles as a neutral food choice
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre lists 67 kcal, 9.1 g of sugars and 1.3 g of saturated fat per 15 g of dark chocolate sprinkles. Values can vary by product and portion size.
Let guests add their own, and serve plain and wholemeal rusk or bread too, so the choice isn’t only about the topping.
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Assuming all bread contains iodine
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bread made with iodised baker’s salt is a source of iodine, but bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt.
For packaged bread, check the ingredients list. If you’re buying from a bakery, ask which salt they use rather than assuming iodine is a standard feature of the product.
Brands to consider
De Ruijter
A brand to consider if you’re looking at a mix or individual portions as well as dark chocolate sprinkles.
- Albert Heijn lists De Ruijter Kleintjes as a pack containing eight portions.
- Check each variety separately: the product information for Royaal extra puur lists milk and soya, while Jumbo also lists wheat for a dark chocolate and vanilla mix.
Venz
An option if you’d like to serve dark chocolate sprinkles as a separate flavour.
- Jumbo lists Venz Puur in a 400 g pack and gives a 20 g portion size in its nutrition table.
- The same product information lists milk and soya, and states that lactose may be present.
Bolletje
A relevant choice for a wholemeal rusk base alongside a plain or white option.
- Jumbo describes Bolletje Vezelrijk Beschuit Donker Volkoren as 100% wholemeal, with 10 g of fibre per 100 g.
- This variety contains wheat, oats, barley and sesame; check whether these are suitable for your guests.
Albert Heijn
A supermarket own-label range to compare plain and wholemeal rusk.
- Albert Heijn lists both AH Beschuit naturel and AH Beschuit volkoren in its rusk category.
- Check the packaging when you buy: ingredients, nutritional values and allergen information can change from product to product.
Jumbo
A supermarket where you can compare product information for different types of rusk and chocolate sprinkles.
- Jumbo’s rusk range includes plain, wholemeal and varieties with grains and seeds.
- Check which variety is actually available when you buy, and read the information on the pack you receive.
Products for the party table
Here you’ll find different types of chocolate sprinkles and a wholemeal rusk base for a birthday table. If you’d also like to serve plain rusk or white bread, choose those separately.
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De Ruijter Flake Feast, 200 g
For anyone who’d like to serve chocolate and vanilla flakes together as one topping. Check the packaging for wheat, soya and possible traces of milk before serving.
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Venz Sprinkles Beer Milk Vanilla, 380 g
A milk and vanilla mix with bear-shaped pieces, for anyone looking to offer a different variety of chocolate sprinkles. Check the packaging for information about lactose, milk, soya and wheat.
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De Ruijter Hail Chocolate Pure, 390 g
A separate dark chocolate sprinkle option for guests who prefer this flavour on rusk or bread. Check the label: milk and soya are listed, and lactose may be present.
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g'woon Pure Chocolate Sprinkles, 400 g
Another dark chocolate sprinkle option to serve alongside your chosen rusk or bread. Check the packaging for milk and possible traces of wheat.
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Bolletje Donker Volkoren Beschuit, 10 pieces
A wholemeal rusk base for guests who’d like this option alongside plain or white; choose the chocolate sprinkles separately. Check the packaging for wheat, oats, barley and sesame.
Frequently asked questions
Should I serve both plain and wholemeal rusk?
No, but a small selection gives guests more choice if their tastes differ. Serve plain or white and wholemeal separately. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, wholemeal bread contains more fibre, vitamins and minerals than white bread.
What should I bear in mind when deciding how much chocolate sprinkles to serve?
Check the portion size and nutrition information for your chosen variety, and let guests add their own. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre notes that chocolate sprinkles contain sugars and saturated fat; the nutritional values depend on the product and how much you use.
Which allergens should I check in rusk with chocolate sprinkles?
Check both packs, not just the one for the chocolate sprinkles. The product varieties mentioned may list milk, soya, wheat, other gluten-containing cereals or sesame. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, allergens must be clearly stated on the label of prepacked foods.
Does all bread contain iodine from baker’s salt?
No, you can’t assume that all bread does. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt. Check the ingredients list on packaged bread or ask your baker.
How can I keep rusk crisp on the table?
Keep the rusk dry before serving and reseal any opened packaging. Put the rusk and chocolate sprinkles out shortly before eating, and let guests add their own toppings.