Christmas brunch hosts
If you don’t have much time to prepare individual rusks, a ready-made option could work well. For example, Jumbo lists Beschuit met Hagelslag Melk; check the packaging of the product you choose before serving.
Who are these options for?
People who like to choose their own toppings
Plain rusks let you choose your own combination of chocolate sprinkles or another topping. This is also handy if you want to use the topping on yoghurt or in baking, as Albert Heijn and Jumbo mention for some of their chocolate sprinkle products.
Shoppers comparing labels and portions
If you’re buying for guests, the ingredients, allergens and amount per serving may influence your choice. Small portion packs make it easier to divide things up, but they don’t tell you anything about the nutritional value on their own.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether you want to serve rusks with chocolate sprinkles straight away or assemble them yourself. Then check the ingredients, allergens and quantity on the exact pack.
Ready-made
Choose this if: you don’t want to prepare individual rusks for Christmas breakfast; Jumbo lists a ready-made milk chocolate version.
The trade-off: the rusk and topping combination is already decided for you.
Separate rusks and topping
Choose this if: you want to pick the topping and decide how much to use on each rusk.
The trade-off: you’ll need to buy at least two products and prepare the rusks yourself.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Serving quickly | Check that the product is ready-made rusks with chocolate sprinkles and see how many pieces are in the pack. | At a busy Christmas breakfast, I want to be able to serve something without having to prepare the rusks first. For around 40% of consumers, serving quickly is the priority. |
| Making your own | Choose the rusks and topping separately; check the type of topping and pack size. | If I want to offer different toppings, I’d rather choose for myself what goes on the rusks. Making your own is the main consideration for around 30% of consumers. |
| Labels and portions | Read the ingredients, allergen and nutritional information for the exact product, and decide how much you want to serve. | When I’m serving guests, I want to know what I’m serving and how much topping I’m using. For around 30% of consumers, having that information comes first. |
Common mistakes
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Searching for ‘medium sliced’ rusks
Rusks are usually round, so ‘medium sliced’ won’t help you find the rusks with chocolate sprinkles you’re looking for.
Check the product shape, the number of pieces and whether the chocolate sprinkles are already on the rusks.
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Relying on the product name alone when buying for guests
A name such as ‘milk chocolate sprinkles’ doesn’t give you the full ingredients and allergen information. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that allergens must be clearly listed on the label.
Check the current label on the exact pack before buying, especially if a guest has a food allergy.
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Assuming a small portion has different nutritional values
A portion pack makes it easier to divide the product, but it doesn’t tell you anything about the composition of the chocolate sprinkles on its own.
For the product you’re considering, compare the ingredients and nutritional information per 100 g and per portion.
Brands to consider
Bolletje
Rusks to top yourself with chocolate sprinkles or another topping.
- Bolletje describes its Echte Beschuit as light and crisp.
- Check the ingredients and allergens for the rusk variety you choose; different product ranges don’t necessarily have the same ingredients.
De Ruijter
Chocolate sprinkles, including small portion packs for adding to food or decorating.
- Albert Heijn lists De Ruijter Kleintjes in a 140 g pack containing eight portions.
- The pack format doesn’t tell you anything about the sugar content or whether the product is suitable for someone with an allergy.
Venz
Chocolate sprinkles to compare, including milk, dark and larger varieties.
- Jumbo suggests using Venz XXL chocolate sprinkles on bread, as well as in yoghurt and baking.
- Check the ingredients and allergens again for each variety you choose.
Jumbo
Examples of both ready-made rusks with chocolate sprinkles and separate chocolate sprinkles.
- Jumbo lists a product called Beschuit met Hagelslag Melk.
- Check the current packaging and product information for the variety you choose when you buy it.
Kiekeboe
A supermarket own-brand range for anyone looking for separate dark chocolate sprinkles.
- ALDI lists Kiekeboe Hagelslag Puur in a 600 g pack.
- Check the range and the label on the pack you want to buy.
Plain rusks and toppings at Joybuy
These products are separate ingredients for serving rusks with a topping of your choice. The rusks and toppings are listed separately, so choose both if you want to make this combination.
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Bolletje Real Rusk – 13 pieces
Plain rusks for anyone who wants to choose and add their own chocolate sprinkles.
The pack contains 13 pieces. Chocolate sprinkles are sold separately; if you have allergies, check the label on both the rusks and the topping.
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Bolletje Wholegrain Rusk – 13 pieces
A separate wholegrain rusk base for when you want to choose your own topping.
The pack contains 13 pieces. Chocolate sprinkles are sold separately; if you have allergies, check the labels on both products.
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De Ruijter Flake Feast – chocolate and vanilla flakes, 200 g
A mix of flakes for anyone who wants something different from standard chocolate sprinkles on plain rusks.
This is a 200 g pack of topping; rusks are sold separately. If you have allergies, check the current label.
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Venz milk chocolate sprinkles – 400 g
Separate milk chocolate sprinkles, so you can decide how much topping to use on your rusks.
The pack contains 400 g of chocolate sprinkles; rusks are sold separately. Before serving to guests, read the current nutritional and allergen information on the pack.
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De Ruijter Intense Pure Chocolate Sprinkles
Dark chocolate sprinkles for anyone who wants to top plain rusks themselves.
Rusks are sold separately. Check the ingredients, nutritional information and allergens on the pack you choose.
Frequently asked questions
Can I select rusks with chocolate sprinkles under ‘medium sliced’?
Don’t use ‘medium sliced’ as a way to filter for rusks. Instead, check whether you’re looking for ready-made or plain rusks, how many pieces are in the pack and which topping you want.
What should I check when buying rusks with chocolate sprinkles for someone with an allergy?
Read the allergen information on the current label of the exact pack. If you’re buying plain rusks and chocolate sprinkles separately, check both packs; the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that allergens must be clearly listed on the label.
Do small portions of chocolate sprinkles tell me anything about their nutritional value?
No. The portion pack mainly tells you how the chocolate sprinkles are divided up. Compare the ingredients and nutritional information for the variety you choose to see what a portion contains.
How do I compare the nutritional information for chocolate sprinkles?
Compare the values per 100 g and, if listed, per portion on the packs you’re considering. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre classifies chocolate sprinkles as outside the Wheel of Five; make your choice based on the current information for the specific variety, not just the portion size.