Hosts of a small coffee morning
You want to combine rusks and chocolate sprinkles just before serving, and choose a chocolate flavour your guests will enjoy.
Who is each option for?
Buyers catering for a larger, informal group
You want to buy enough rusks and chocolate sprinkles without being left with a pack you won’t use afterwards.
Anyone looking to thank someone
You’re looking for a separate chocolate gift for, say, a host or volunteer—not necessarily something to put on rusks.
What should you consider when choosing?
First decide whether you want to put something on the table or give someone a present. Then choose the quantity and flavour, and check the labels of everything you’ll actually serve or give as a gift.
Rusks with chocolate sprinkles
Best for: serving rusks during a coffee morning, with the chocolate sprinkles added just before you serve them.
Consider: you’ll need to buy the ingredients separately and allow time to get them ready.
Chocolate gift box
Best for: giving a host, volunteer or colleague a separate thank-you gift.
Consider: a box of chocolates isn’t a topping for rusks, so it won’t replace the planned coffee-table treat.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| What you want to serve | Decide whether guests will eat rusks there and then, or whether you’re giving someone a box of chocolates to take away. | If I want to serve something with coffee, I need rusks and a topping; a gift for one person won’t do the job. For around 31% of consumers, the treat on the table comes first. |
| Quantity and leftovers | Count the portions of rusks you want, then compare pack sizes, weights and storage instructions. | For a larger group, I want to buy enough but also know what to do with an opened pack afterwards. For around 31% of consumers, getting the quantity right is the main concern. |
| Flavour and presentation | Compare the exact milk or dark chocolate sprinkle variety. For a gift, check that the box contains the chocolate flavours you want. | I want to be able to choose between one flavour for rusks and an assortment to give as a present. Flavour and presentation are the main priority for around 23% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Check the current labels on the rusks, chocolate sprinkles, any spreadable topping and the gift box separately. | If a guest or recipient needs to avoid an allergen, I want to check every item before offering it. For around 15% of consumers, checking labels comes first. |
Common mistakes
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Relying on an old listing for ready-made rusks as your shopping plan
Jumbo says its Beschuit met Hagelslag Melk product is no longer part of its online range. An old listing like this isn’t a reliable basis for deciding what to serve.
Plan to buy rusks and chocolate sprinkles separately, or check with the shop in advance to see whether the ready-made pack is available.
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Checking only the chocolate sprinkles for allergens
Rusks can also contain relevant allergens. Jumbo’s description of its Beschuit Naturel lists wheat and egg, while chocolate product labels may list other allergens.
Check every item you use. According to the Voedingscentrum, label information is important when someone has a food allergy.
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Buying a large pack without thinking about leftovers
A 600 g pack of chocolate sprinkles may be more than you need for a small coffee morning. The number of rusks and what you’ll do with any leftover sprinkles also help determine which pack is right.
Count the portions of rusks first, then read the storage and resealing instructions on the chocolate sprinkles you choose.
You’ll need to store any opened leftovers properly after the event and use them later.
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Assuming a chocolate gift box is suitable for everyone
Albert Heijn’s description of its Merci Gift Box lists milk, hazelnut, almond and soya, among other ingredients. So don’t assume a gift box is suitable for sharing with a group without checking the label.
Read the packaging for the box you choose, and check with any guests or recipients concerned about what’s suitable for them.
Brands to consider
De Ruijter
For comparing milk and dark chocolate sprinkles, or another variety from the same product range.
- Albert Heijn lists De Ruijter milk and dark Chocolate Sprinkles, as well as an extra dark variety.
- Check the ingredients, weight and current label information for each pack you choose.
Venz
A brand to look at if you’re choosing between different chocolate flavours of sprinkles.
- According to Albert Heijn, the Venz Puur product checked contains at least 32% cocoa solids.
- The dark variety checked lists milk and soya. Always check the individual label for other varieties.
Jumbo
An own-brand option for comparing rusks and chocolate sprinkles as separate purchases.
- Jumbo lists plain rusks in packs of 13, plus milk and dark chocolate sprinkles in 600 g packs.
- Check the allergens in the rusks and the chocolate sprinkles separately; the rusks checked list wheat and egg.
Mister CHOC
A dark chocolate sprinkle option to consider if a 600 g pack suits your group.
- Lidl Netherlands describes Mister CHOC Dark Chocolate Sprinkles as a 600 g pack.
- Lidl marks this item as in-store only, so bear that in mind when planning your shop.
Kiekeboe
An own-brand option if you’re looking for dark chocolate sprinkles in a larger pack.
- ALDI Netherlands lists Kiekeboe dark chocolate sprinkles in a 600 g pack.
- Check in store that the pack you want is available, and read the current label.
Products for the coffee table or as a thank-you
The chocolate sprinkles below are for topping rusks yourself; buy the rusks separately and choose an amount to suit your group. The chocolate collections are better suited to a separate thank-you gift, not as a substitute for rusks with chocolate sprinkles.
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g'woon milk chocolate sprinkles with smiley faces, 600 g
A pack to consider if you’re topping rusks for a larger group.
Milk chocolate sprinkles with smiley faces; 600 g. The product information lists milk and wheat. Check the current label before serving these sprinkles.
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Venz milk chocolate sprinkles, 400 g
For topping rusks with milk chocolate sprinkles during your coffee morning.
400 g pack. The product information lists milk and soya; check the allergen information on the current pack before buying.
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De Ruijter dark chocolate sprinkles, 390 g
A dark chocolate sprinkle option if you want to top the rusks just before serving.
390 g pack. The product information lists milk and soya; check the current label if these allergens are relevant.
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Tony's Chocolonely Chocolate Gift Pack, 288 g
A chocolate gift to say thank you alongside a coffee morning; the bars aren’t a topping for rusks.
288 g gift pack. The product information lists almonds, egg, hazelnuts, milk and soya, among other ingredients; also check the current warnings on the packaging.
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Merci Petits Chocolate Collection, 125 g
A small chocolate collection to take along as a thank-you, not for topping rusks.
125 g pack. The product information lists milk, almonds, hazelnuts, soya and wheat, among other ingredients; it may also contain peanuts. Read the current label before giving or sharing the box.
Frequently asked questions
How can I keep rusks crisp until the coffee morning?
Store the rusks according to the instructions on the pack and add the chocolate sprinkles just before serving. Jumbo recommends storing its Beschuit Naturel in a cool, dry, dark place. Also check the instructions for the chocolate sprinkles you choose.
How do I work out how many rusks and how much chocolate topping I need?
First count how many rusks you want to serve and compare that with the pack size. Then consider what weight of chocolate sprinkles will suit your group and any later use. Jumbo lists 13 rusks in its Beschuit Naturel pack and offers chocolate sprinkles in different pack sizes. The weight of the sprinkles alone doesn’t tell you how many rusks you’ll be able to top.
Do rusks always contain iodised baker’s salt?
You can’t tell from the product name alone. The Voedingscentrum says that using baker’s salt when baking bread isn’t compulsory. Check the ingredients list on the rusks you want to buy, or ask the baker.