If you want to serve them quickly
If you don’t want guests to top their own rusks, a ready-made option could work well. Jumbo lists a product called Beschuit met Hagelslag Melk; check the pack size and current label before buying.
Which option suits you?
If you want self-service with small portions
With plain rusks, guests can add their own chocolate sprinkles and choose between toppings if you offer them. Albert Heijn lists De Ruijter Kleintjes in a 140 g pack with eight portions; Jumbo lists Strooi Mini's in an eight-piece, 140 g pack.
If you want to check ingredients in advance
If any guests have an allergy, the current labels on both the rusks and the chocolate sprinkles are what matter. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that allergen information must be shown on the label of prepacked foods.
What should you consider when choosing?
First decide whether guests will top their own rusks or whether you want to serve them ready-made. Then compare the packaging and ingredients of the products you plan to serve.
Ready-made rusks with chocolate sprinkles
Ideal for: serving straight away without setting out separate toppings.
Consider: guests can’t control how much chocolate topping they get; check the number of pieces and the label on the pack you choose.
Plain rusks with individual portions of sprinkles
Ideal for: self-service, so guests can choose and add their own topping.
Consider: you’ll need to set out the rusks and toppings separately, then clear away the packaging afterwards.
| What to consider | What to look for | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|
| Serving quickly | Check whether the rusks are already topped and how many pieces are in the pack. | If I want to offer guests something straight away, I don’t want to have to set out the rusks and toppings first. For around 30% of consumers, serving quickly is the top priority. |
| Choosing and adding your own topping | Compare the number of individual portions and decide whether you want to offer more than one topping. | With self-service, I want to choose how much chocolate topping to add to my rusk. Around 30% of consumers give this choice top priority. |
| Having enough for everyone | Compare the net weight with the number of guests and how many rusks you plan to serve. | For a larger group, I want to know in advance that there’ll be enough topping, rather than relying on small packs. For around 20% of consumers, having enough is the most important consideration. |
| Ingredients and nutrition information | Check the labels on the rusks and chocolate sprinkles for ingredients, allergens, serving sizes and nutritional values. | If I need to allow for allergies or want to know what’s in a serving, I check both packs. This is the main concern for around 20% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
-
Assuming the product name gives you the full allergen information
The name of a rusk product doesn’t tell you which ingredients and allergens are in the pack you’ve chosen. This is especially important if a guest has an allergy.
Before serving, check the current labels on both the rusks and the chocolate sprinkles, including any warnings about cross-contamination.
-
Topping the rusks too far in advance
Topping them in advance saves time when serving, but gives you less opportunity to keep the rusks and topping separate until then.
Store the rusks as directed on the packaging and top small batches just before serving, or let guests add their own sprinkles.
-
Counting on Venz Mini's without checking what’s currently in stock
Albert Heijn marks Venz Mini's as discontinued; Jumbo says its listing is no longer available.
Check current availability before planning your table around this product. Another mini format or loose chocolate sprinkles could also work for self-service.
Brands to consider
De Ruijter
Albert Heijn lists De Ruijter Kleintjes chocolate sprinkles in a 140 g pack with eight portions.
- The stated number of portions makes it easier to work out how many individual packs to put out.
- Check the packaging to see how much chocolate topping is in each portion and which ingredients it contains.
Jumbo
Jumbo lists both Strooi Mini's, in an eight-piece, 140 g pack, and a product called Beschuit met Hagelslag Melk.
- These product formats suit DIY sprinkles and ready-made servings respectively.
- For the rusk product you choose, check the number of pieces and ingredients on the current packaging.
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn lists AH Strooi mini's and also sells De Ruijter Kleintjes.
- For the products listed, you can check which format suits your self-service setup.
- Check the contents, number of portions and ingredients for each pack you choose.
Venz
Venz Mini's is a previously listed mini format; Albert Heijn and Jumbo say it’s no longer available in their product listings.
- The mini format is worth considering if you’re looking for individual packs of sprinkles.
- Check current availability before planning to use Venz Mini's at your garden party.
Chocolate sprinkles for DIY
This Joybuy pick is loose chocolate sprinkles for guests who want to top their own rusks. Check the packaging format if you want to put out individual portions.
Image unavailable
De Ruijter Intense Pure chocolate sprinkles 200 g
For self-service with plain rusks and chocolate sprinkles. The pack contains 200 g; check the packaging format if individual portions are important to you. If you have allergies, read the current label, including information about milk, soya and possible cross-contamination.
Frequently asked questions
Is one mini pack of chocolate sprinkles automatically the right portion?
No, check how much chocolate topping the pack actually contains. As a general guide, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre states that 15 g of chocolate sprinkles contains an average of 67 kcal, 9.4 g of sugars and 1.4 g of saturated fat; the nutritional values may vary depending on the brand or product you choose.
Should I check the allergens in both the rusks and the chocolate sprinkles?
Yes, check both products separately if you need to allow for an allergy. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that allergen information must be shown on the label of prepacked foods; also read any cross-contamination warnings on the current packaging.
How should I get the rusks and chocolate sprinkles ready for a garden party?
Store the rusks as directed on the packaging and, ideally, add the chocolate sprinkles just before serving, or let guests add their own. For both products, check the use-by or best-before date and storage instructions.
Can I assume rusks contain iodised baker’s salt?
No, don’t assume which type of salt is used in a particular rusk product based on its category. The 2008 Government Gazette’s description of baker’s salt as iodised table salt doesn’t tell you which ingredients are in the rusks you’re buying; check the label for that information.