Home baker with a sourdough starter
You want to use leftover or active starter in sweet biscuits and are looking for a recipe that takes the amount of starter in the dough into account.
Who is this relevant for?
Biscuit decorator looking for chocolate sprinkles
You’re looking for chocolate sprinkles to decorate homemade biscuits or other bakes after baking.
Baker who checks food labels
You want to check the ingredients, allergens and nutritional information for your chosen chocolate sprinkles before using them.
What should you look for when choosing?
First, decide whether you want to use starter in the biscuit dough or are looking for chocolate sprinkles to decorate your bakes. Then check that the recipe suits your choice and that the packaging includes the information you need.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Role in the recipe | Check whether the recipe specifies an amount of starter or discard, and when the chocolate sprinkles should be added. | If I want to bake biscuits with starter, it needs to be included in the dough; chocolate sprinkles can’t replace that dough ingredient. For around 44% of consumers, this role in the recipe comes first. |
| Using starter and choosing a flavour | Choose a biscuit recipe written for starter or discard, then decide separately which chocolate flavour you want for decorating. | If I have leftover starter, I want to use it in biscuits with a subtle sourdough note, without having to guess the dough proportions myself. Around 33% of consumers prioritise this use of starter. |
| Label and nutritional information | Read the ingredients and highlighted allergens on the exact pack; check the nutritional values per 100 g if needed. | If I have a relevant allergy, I want to know what’s in my chosen chocolate sprinkles before decorating my biscuits. Ingredients and allergens are the main concern for around 23% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Thinking crispbread with chocolate sprinkles can replace sourdough
Crispbread topped with chocolate sprinkles is something to eat, while starter can be an ingredient in biscuit dough. One combination doesn’t provide a recipe for the other.
Choose a complete biscuit recipe with starter, or one without starter. Only add chocolate sprinkles in a way that suits the recipe.
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Guessing the allergens from the product name
Ingredients vary between products. For example, Albert Heijn lists milk, soya, wheat and cereals containing gluten for De Ruijter Hagelfeest.
Read the ingredients and allergen information on the pack you’re using, especially if any of those substances are relevant to you.
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Assuming sourdough makes a nutritional claim
The presence of starter alone doesn’t tell you how much sugar, fat or energy a biscuit contains.
Check the full recipe and portion size if you want to assess the nutritional value of your biscuits.
Brands worth considering
De Ruijter
A brand to consider if you’re looking for a particular chocolate flavour or a smaller pack of sprinkles for decorating.
- Jumbo lists products including De Ruijter Puur 390 g and Kleintjes Strooibaar 140 g.
- Check the label on the exact product: for Hagelfeest, Albert Heijn lists allergens including milk, soya and wheat.
Venz
A brand with several chocolate varieties, for anyone who wants to choose the flavour and look of their decoration.
- Jumbo lists Venz milk and dark chocolate sprinkles, including 400 g packs.
- The varieties available may differ between shops; check the product name and packaging before choosing a recipe to suit them.
Mister Choc
Lidl’s own brand is worth considering if you’re looking for a larger pack of dark chocolate sprinkles.
- Lidl lists a 600 g pack of dark chocolate sprinkles.
- Check the ingredients and allergens on the pack you choose.
Kiekeboe
ALDI’s own brand offers varieties you can compare by pack size and sprinkle shape.
- ALDI lists 600 g of dark chocolate sprinkles and a 250 g XXL variety.
- Check the ingredients and allergens for your chosen variety on the packaging.
Chocolate sprinkles for decorating
These Joybuy products are chocolate sprinkles and decorations for anyone looking to finish a biscuit recipe. They don’t replace sourdough starter or biscuit dough; follow your chosen recipe for when to add them.
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Venz milk chocolate sprinkles 400 g
For anyone who wants to use milk chocolate sprinkles to decorate biscuits. The pack contains 400 g; check the label for allergens and follow the recipe for when to add them.
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Venz chocolate sprinkles and vanilla-flavoured decorations 400 g
For anyone who wants to combine chocolate and vanilla flavours in their decorations. The pack contains 400 g; check the allergens on the pack and use a biscuit recipe that explains how to add the decoration.
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De Ruijter chocolate chunks 390 g
For anyone looking for chocolate chunks as a decorative topping instead of fine chocolate sprinkles. The pack contains 390 g; check the label for allergens and choose a recipe that suits this type of decoration.
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g'woon milk chocolate sprinkles with smiley shapes 600 g
For anyone looking for smiley-shaped decorations as well as chocolate sprinkles. The pack contains 600 g; check the label for allergens and follow a suitable recipe when using them on biscuits.
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De Ruijter Intense dark chocolate sprinkles 200 g
For anyone looking for dark chocolate sprinkles to decorate biscuits. The pack contains 200 g; check the allergens on the pack and use the recipe to decide when to add the sprinkles.
Frequently asked questions
Can sourdough replace crispbread topped with chocolate sprinkles when baking biscuits?
No. Starter or discard can be an ingredient in biscuit dough, while crispbread with chocolate sprinkles is something to eat. Choose a biscuit recipe that specifies exactly how much starter to use.
Can you put chocolate sprinkles on biscuits before baking?
Only do this if your recipe says to. In a Lidl recipe, the biscuits are left to cool completely before being decorated with chocolate spread and chocolate sprinkles; this is a specific method for a visible decoration.
What should you look for if you’re allergic to milk, soya or wheat?
Read the allergen information on the packaging for the exact variety of chocolate sprinkles. For De Ruijter Hagelfeest, Albert Heijn lists milk, soya, wheat and cereals containing gluten; you shouldn’t assume this information applies to other varieties.
Do sourdough biscuits automatically offer a different nutritional choice?
The presence of sourdough alone doesn’t tell you the nutritional value of a biscuit. To assess this, look at all the ingredients and the portion size in your chosen recipe.